Mental Health Act Compliance Officer

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital; England; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS benefits/discounts

Free Park & Ride

On-site Nursery at NNUH Colney Lane

Free counselling support

Flexible staff bank

Job summary

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is seeking a Mental Health Act Compliance Officer to deliver a high-quality MHA administration service across the NNUH, JPUH, and QEH. The role requires handling statutory documents, advising staff, and ensuring patient rights are upheld.

Based at NNUH, you will work with the MHA Administration Manager to ensure legal timescales are met, coordinate tribunals, maintain records, and support data reporting while handling confidential information with

Qualifications

• Good standard of education with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
• NVQ Level 3 in administration or equivalent

Responsibilities

• Receive and scrutinise statutory documentation within legal timescales
• Provide information to patients and their nearest relatives
• Coordinate Mental Health Tribunals and Associate Hospital Manager Reviews
• Manage competing priorities to meet statutory deadlines
• Maintain accurate records and support data collection and reporting
• Liaise with clinical teams and external professionals to obtain/process statutory documentation

Skills

Organisational skills

Education

NVQ Level 3 in administration or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Complex Health Hub is seeking a Mental Health Act (MHA) Compliance Officer to support the delivery of a high-quality, compliant and responsive MHA administration service across the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group.

Based at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), the post holder will work closely with the Mental Health Act Administration Manager to manage and scrutinise statutory processes and documentation relating to patients detained under the Mental Health Act across NNUH, James Paget University Hospital (JPUH) and Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn (QEH). The role also supports the monitoring and assurance of MHA compliance across the Trust Group.

The post holder will provide specialist advice, guidance and support to staff on complex and sensitive issues relating to the Mental Health Act, ensuring that legal requirements are met and patients' rights are upheld. Whilst prior knowledge of Mental Health Act administration is desirable, full training will be provided.

You will have the ability to work independently, using initiative and be able to respond flexibly to changing service demands, in line with Trust policies and standards. Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage confidential information are essential.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will support the Mental Health Act Administration Manager in delivering a high-quality administrative service that meets statutory requirements and ensures the effective operation of the Group MHA Administration function.

This includes:

• Receiving and scrutinising statutory documentation, identifying errors and ensuring corrections are completed within legal timescales
• Providing written information to patients and their nearest relatives
• Coordinating Mental Health Tribunals and Associate Hospital Manager Reviews, including arranging hearings, notifying relevant parties and processing documentation in accordance with MHA legislation and the Code of Practice
• Managing competing priorities to ensure statutory deadlines are consistently achieved
• Maintaining accurate records and supporting data collection and reporting requirements
• Supporting with data analysis and reporting in the absence of the Mental Health Act Administration Manager
• General administration tasks to support the NNUH Mental Health team and the Complex Health Hub as demand indicates

About us

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!

The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity.

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

• Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
• Multi Faith prayer room at NNUH Colney Lane site
• Discounted gym memberships
• Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
• Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
• Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH Colney Lane site
• Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
• On-site Nursery at NNUH Colney Lane
• On-site cafes offering staff discounts at NNUH Colney Lane
• Flexible staff bank
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

Job responsibilities

The role requires the coordination of statutory documentation and the effective management of information flows to support the safe and efficient operation of the service.

Supporting staff to ensure compliance with the Mental Health Act and associated legislation, safeguarding patients legal rights.

Acting as a key point of contact for enquiries from patients, carers and healthcare professionals.

Liaising with clinical teams and external professionals to obtain and process statutory documentation.

Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records across relevant systems, including electronic patient records and local trackers.

Working collaboratively with internal departments and external stakeholders, including:

• Mental Health Liaison Teams and hospitals clinical staff
• Safeguarding teams
• Consultant Psychiatrists and Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs)
• Independent Mental Health Advocates (IMHAs), solicitors and legal representatives
• HM Courts & Tribunals Service (First-tier Tribunal Mental Health)
• Ministry of Justice and the Care Quality Commission

Please view the attached job description for full details of the role and use your supporting statement to confirm how you meet the essential and desirable criteria on the job specification.

Please note that this advertised position, which is part of occupation code 4159 does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa. The Trust would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Good standard of education with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
• NVQ Level 3 in administration or equivalent

Experience

Skills

• Excellent organisational skills
• Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
• Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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.

Mental Health Act Administration Manager

£28,392 to £31,157 a yearPer annum, pro rata