Mental Health Act Assistant

NHS; Wickford; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider is looking for a Mental Health Act Assistant to support the administration of the Mental Health Act. This entry-level position offers full training and requires candidates to possess organizational skills and the ability to communicate effectively. The role involves assisting in the day-to-day administration, maintaining filing systems, and providing support to the Mental Health team. Flexible working options are available and there are numerous employee benefits, including generous holidays and a relocation package.

Benefits

27 days holiday plus bank holidays

Excellent pension up to 14.5%

Staff discounts and benefits

£8K relocation package

Qualifications

• Experience working in an administrative or secretarial environment.
• Accuracy and attention to detail are vital for this position.
• Ability to prioritize and manage workload effectively.

Responsibilities

• Administer and record Mental Health Act activities accurately on patient systems.
• Provide administrative support to the Mental Health Act team.
• Maintain and organize filing systems daily.

Skills

Excellent organizational skills

Exceptional communication skills

Experience with Microsoft Packages

Self-motivated

Flexible working style

Education

Qualification in Microsoft Packages

Job description

Mental Health Act Assistant

Closing date: 25 January 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Essex University Partnership NHS Foundation Trust for a Mental Health Act Assistant. The Mental Health Act office is responsible for ensuring that the Trust complies with Mental Health legislation. The department provides advice to professionals, service users and carers regarding the lawful application of the Mental Health Act.

The Mental Health Act Assistant will support the Mental Health Act Administrators and Managers in the day‑to‑day administration of the Mental Health Act, ensuring that correct procedures have been followed accurately and on time. No previous experience of Mental Health law is required as this is an entry‑level post and full training will be provided to the successful candidate. The post is an attractive opportunity for anyone wishing to work within Mental Health Law and gain exposure to the legislation.

The successful candidate must have experience working in an administrative/secretarial environment and have exceptional organisational and communication skills; they must be self‑motivated, flexible and able to work within a busy team. Comprehensive experience of working with Microsoft Packages is essential. Accuracy and attention to detail are vital to this position along with the ability to prioritise your workload.

Main duties of the job

• Responsible for the accurate administration and recording of Mental Health Act activity onto the electronic patient systems.
• Act as a point of contact for the team and deal with a variety of routine and complex correspondence on a day‑to‑day basis, as well as providing administrative support to the Mental Health Act team in matters relating to the Act and to assist in the overall efficient running of the department.
• Undertake telephone, email and written communication with a wide range of clinical staff. Record details of communication in relevant files and advise the Mental Health Act team of any issues that they may need to be aware of.
• Maintain filing systems on a daily basis.
• Open incoming mail and act as appropriate.

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality/champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.
• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us.
• Season ticket loans are interest‑free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
• Job share: applications for job shares are welcomed.

Job responsibilities

ROLE SUMMARY

To ensure that the Mental Health Act administration service functionalities are as required in line with the modernisation of our current Mental Health Services in order to be safe, sound and supportive to our service users and carers. To ensure that the Trusts policies and procedures comply with, and are followed, within the statutory requirements of the Mental Health Act 1983. Producing work to a high standard and promoting quality at all times. To operate as part of a dedicated team providing cover for each other when and where necessary.

To provide administrative support to the Mental Health Act Managers, Officers and Senior Manager in the administration of the Mental Health Act across the Trust.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Please note that this role outline serves to provide you with an illustrative example of the duties and responsibilities you may be expected to undertake during the course of your normal duties. It is not an exhaustive list and you will therefore be required to undertake other responsibilities and duties that are considered to be commensurate with the band.

• Responsible for the accurate administration and recording of Mental Health Act activity onto the electronic patient systems.
• Act as a point of contact for the team and deal with a variety of routine and complex correspondence on a day‑to‑day basis as well as providing administrative support to the Mental Health Act team in matters relating to the Act and to assist in the overall efficient running of the department.
• Undertake telephone, email and written communication with a wide range of clinical staff. Record details of communication in relevant files and advise the Mental Health Act team of any issues that they may need to be aware of.
• Responsible for maintaining filing systems on a daily basis.
• Open incoming mail and action as appropriate, seeking guidance where necessary.
• Under the direction of the MHA Administrator undertake the printing of documentation from the MHA office printing folder.
• Under the direction of the MHA Administrator undertake the uploading/scanning of MHA documentation to the clinical systems.
• Under the direction of the MHA Administrator / officer complete the Mental Health Review Tribunal telephone contact information sheets, meeting the required timeframes as appropriate.
• Under the direction of the MHA staff prepare section papers that need to be submitted to a solicitor in regard to a patient’s Mental Health Review Tribunal.
• Under the direction of the MHA staff undertake the archiving of detention papers.
• Attend Mental Health Act team meetings.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Qualification in Microsoft Packages

Knowledge

• Experience working with Microsoft Packages
• Previous experience working in the NHS

Skills

• Good oral and written skills based on fluency in the English language

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust