Mental Health Act Compliance Officer

Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

In-house training programmes

Career progression

27–33 days annual leave + bank hols

NHS discounts

Job summary

Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust is seeking an enthusiastic administrator for its Mental Health Law Team in Suffolk. The role supports administration under the Mental Health Act 1983 and Mental Capacity Act, providing information to patients and relatives and coordinating with wards and external partners.

The post requires strong organisational skills, confidentiality and data protection awareness, with on-the-job training provided.

Qualifications

• GCSE level or equivalent academically prepared for general admin tasks.
• PG Certificate in Mental Health Law demonstrates relevant professional training.

Responsibilities

• Complete necessary administrative tasks for the Mental Health Law Team.
• Maintain thorough understanding of the Mental Health Act 1983 and Mental Capacity Act to administer the Acts.
• Provide information to patients and relatives in accordance with mental health legislation.
• Liaise with internal and external partners on processes under the Acts.
• Support wards with Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards requests/authorisations.

Skills

Prioritisation

Oral and written communication

Team working

Education

GCSE level or equivalent

PG Certificate in Mental Health Law

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our friendly and compassionate Mental Health Law Team, based in our Suffolk office at Woodlands, Ipswich.

The Mental Health Law Team provide an administrative service to the Trust in the administration and application of the Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act for people who are subject to treatment of mental disorder.

The successful candidate/s will have excellent time management and interpersonal skills, have a positive approach and be able to remain calm under pressure. The successful candidate/s will work as part of a team, whilst also working independently on their own initiative.

The post requires a good knowledge of Microsoft Office software packages, such as word and excel, and a knowledge of issues around confidentiality and data protection. You don't need any previous experience of Mental Health law as you will be given full on-the-job training.

If you are an enthusiastic, self-motivated team player with excellent organisational skills and feel that this is the role for you we would love to hear from you.

The post is based in our office at Woodlands, Ipswich. Travel to our other Suffolk site at Wedgwood Unit, Bury St Edmunds will be required and occassionally to our Norfolk offices at Hellesdon Hospital and The Julian Hospital.

Main duties of the job

To complete necessary administrative tasks.

Maintain a thorough understanding and in depth knowledge of the 1983 Mental Health Act (MHA) and the Mental Capacity Act to be able to convert this knowledge into detailed administration of the Acts.

To provide information to patients and their relatives in accordance with the mental health legislation.

To liaise with internal and external partners in relation to processes required by both Acts

To provide timely and effective administrative support to the wards regarding Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards requests/authorisations in relation to the Trust's duties in the role of Managing Authority.

To process and maintain records for those patients detained under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards in line with Trust processes and procedures.

To provide, in conjunction with others, holiday and sickness cover with the Mental Health Law Team at all sites.

To participate in on-going audits and service development within the team.

To undertake any other appropriate tasks as requested by the Mental Health Law Team Leader/Mental Health Law Manager to meet the needs of the service.

About us

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing their experiences and learning from each other.

Why work for us?

We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established nursing networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Why Norfolk and Suffolk?

The people here are warm and welcoming, you'll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We're an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.

Some of the benefits you can expect:

• a comprehensive in house & external training programmes
• career progression
• starting annual leave of 27 days per annum increasing to 33 days pa based on length of service (plus paid bank holidays)
• NHS discounts and many more

Job responsibilities

Interview dates are yet to be set; you will be contacted via email and invited to book a time. These emails may go to your SPAM, so please keep checking all your emails if applying.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent
• PG Certificate in Mental Health Law

Experience

• Relevant experience in administration including a range of organisational non routine procedures, policies and practice
• Investigation of a variety of complex issues and proposing solutions
• Dealing with complex enquiries
• Previous experience in the investigation of complex legal issues

Knowledge

• A comprehensive understanding of what the Mental Health Act 1983 is there for and how it should be administered
• An understand of the legal framework for people detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983

Skills

• Ability to prioritise conflicting requirements
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with a wide range of people

Other

• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Able to work proactively on own initiative with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work to strict deadlines and able to prioritise own and others work load.

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 Law Team Manager (Suffolk)

£28,392 to £31,157 a yeargross per annum (pro rata)