Mental Health Practitioner (Autism)

Kent and Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a pioneering project providing trauma-informed care for autistic individuals facing mental health challenges. The role emphasizes clinical leadership and integration support in partnership with community services, aiming for patients' safe discharge. Exceptional professional development opportunities await you in a diverse team committed to excellent care.

Benefits

Exceptional professional development opportunities

High quality of life in the Garden of England

Qualifications

• Experience in mental health settings preferred.
• Registered professional with skills in trauma-informed care.
• Background in forensic or community services is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Prepare individuals for discharge and community reintegration.
• Provide clinical and managerial leadership to teams.
• Support the Care and Treatment Review Process and partner agencies.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Data analysis

Evaluation skills

Education

Registered Nursing, Social Work, or Allied Health qualification

Job description

Job overview

We are seeking motivated individuals to join a specialist service providing trauma-informed care and support to a complex caseload of autistic individuals with mental health conditions who pose a serious risk of harm to others. The aim is to ensure physical, psychological, and emotional safety for our autistic patients, enabling them to regain control of their lives.

Ideal candidates will have core transferable skills from nursing, social work, or allied health professional backgrounds. We will provide training in advanced risk assessment techniques and psychological approaches to patient care, promoting recovery and sustainable life skills within the autistic forensic population. Applicants should be registered professionals with prior experience in mental health settings, preferably in forensic or community services.

This role is part of a pioneering project by Kent, Sussex, and Surrey Adult Secure Services, a coalition of NHS trusts and independent providers delivering low and medium-secure hospital care for adults. It aligns with the national 'Homes not Hospitals' programme, aiming to support individuals to receive care in the community whenever possible.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will play a key role in preparing autistic individuals for discharge and reintegration into the community, supporting the Care and Treatment Review Process and dynamic support systems. You will recognize when increased support is needed to promote a sustainable lifestyle and will work closely with partner agencies and third-sector organizations, including community services and the Criminal Justice System.

You will demonstrate clinical and managerial leadership within the team, providing education and supervision to junior staff and other professionals. Your clinical, data analysis, and evaluation skills will support the delivery of comprehensive services for autistic individuals as part of the Forensic Outreach Liaison Service (FOLS).

Working for our organisation

Join us in the Garden of England, where we offer exceptional professional development opportunities and a high quality of life.

We are Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), serving 1.8 million people across Kent and Medway, with additional services in Sussex and Surrey. Rated 'Good' by the CQC, we care for over 2,000 hospital patients and 54,000 community service users annually.

Our diverse team of over 3,800 staff from 66 nationalities is committed to providing excellent care to our service users and their families. Everyone, from cleaners to executives, plays a vital role in delivering exemplary service.

Our mission is what we set out to do every day

We deliver brilliant care through brilliant people.

Our vision is where we want to be in the future

To provide outstanding care and work in partnership to deliver it in the right place, for every service user, every time.