Mental Health Liaison | South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust; Winchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Winchester is seeking a Mental Health Liaison to support mental health delivery in urgent care. The role includes leadership, education, and driving engagement across various mental health services. Ideal candidates will focus on reducing EMS calls and promoting person-centred care. The position offers professional development opportunities, NHS pension benefits, and generous holiday allowances.

Benefits

Full training and a range of courses

27 days holiday increasing with service

Automatic NHS Pension Scheme enrolment

Professional development access

Employee Assistance Programme

NHS discounts in various stores

Responsibilities

• Work alongside the Trust Clinical Lead for Mental Health and Learning Disability.
• Support the delivery of inclusive, person-centred care.
• Embed the Quality Principles and Clinical Standards for mental health.
• Address operational pressures within 999/111 around mental health response.
• Provide a link to influence suicide prevention across Hampshire.

Job description

Job Overview

The Mental Health Liaison post is based within SCAS, working alongside the Clinical Lead for Mental Health and Learning Disability, relevant Mental Health Trusts, NHS 111 and the Hampshire Mental Health Triage Service operationally. The postholder will support the embedding of mental health delivery in SCAS and drive clinical leadership, education, engagement and alignment with mental health transformation in urgent and emergency care. The aim is to reduce conveyances and calls to NHS 111/999 by developing care closer to home. The role is the key link between parent organisations – including the Police, Mental Health providers and Integrated Care Boards – and represents a subject‑matter expert in all aspects of mental health within SCAS.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside the Trust Clinical Lead for Mental Health and Learning Disability to form a team with capacity to cover Trust requirements for mental health leadership.
• Support the delivery of inclusive, person‑centred care by identifying and addressing barriers to access, tailoring services to meet diverse needs and proactively reducing health inequalities across underserved communities.
• Embed the Quality Principles and Clinical Standards within SCAS for mental health and respond to KPIs.
• Address operational pressures within 999/111 around mental health response and demand, including direct line management of the complex care team.
• Provide a link to influence suicide prevention across Hampshire.
• Work in partnership with NHS 111 to develop NHS Pathways (Digital) MH configuration.
• Identify opportunities to support people with co‑occurring mental health and substance problems with local authorities and mental health partners.
• Lead on Directory of Service development and visibility, promoting MiDoS access for paramedics.
• Ensure all are profiled onto NHS 111 DoS as a minimum in the short term.
• Work bilaterally with MH NHS 111, clinical assessment services (CAS) and 999 ambulance to agree streamlined referral pathways for mental health.
• Agree and develop new pathways for lower acuity patients as an alternative to ED, including access to crisis alternatives or digital alternatives for crisis support.
• Ensure Rapid Demand and Capacity Reviews match mental health demand in both 111 and 999.
• Provide direct leadership and advice across the Trust to PE teams, Clinical Governance leads and Patient Safety Teams as required.
• Assist with PSIRF investigations as required.
• Promote 24/7 urgent mental health helplines locally within SCAS.

Benefits

• Full training and a range of courses available locally.
• Holiday entitlement of 27 days, rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years’ service, plus an additional 8 days bank holiday (pro‑rata for part time).
• Automatic enrolment into the NHS Pension Scheme.
• Access to continual professional development within SCAS and the wider NHS.
• Occupational Health support and direct access to our Employee Assistance Programme as well as our own Health and Wellbeing Team.
• NHS discounts in over 200 stores, saving money on holidays, days out, car insurance, restaurants, clothing and more.
• Ability to join staff networking groups (as a member, ally or just for interest).

Corporate Induction

All new starters must attend our Corporate Induction in person. It is held over one and a half days from our educational centres based in Newbury (Berkshire), Bicester (Oxfordshire) or Whiteley (Hampshire). Specific details will be sent once your start date has been confirmed. Depending on the role, additional training may be required following the induction.

Application Deadline

This advert closes on Thursday 20 Nov 2025.