Mental Health SPA Practitioner

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Colchester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health service provider in Colchester is seeking a Mental Health SPA Practitioner to conduct assessments and provide support in various settings. The position requires great communication skills and a strong foundation in mental health practices. Candidates must hold a recent GCSE qualification and be ready to engage actively with service users and interdisciplinary teams. This role offers an opportunity to impact patient care positively in the community.

Qualifications

• Must demonstrate good risk assessment and management skills.
• Ability to engage with various stakeholders including GPs and community practitioners.
• Experience in mental health assessment and care delivery.

Responsibilities

• Carry out a range of assessments including telephone and face-to-face.
• Travel to complete assessments in various locations.
• Plan and contribute to professional meetings and discussions.

Education

GCSE

Job description

Job Description

Mental Health SPA Practitioner role at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, located in Colchester, United Kingdom. This position is open to applicants with the latest education / graduate GCSE.

Responsibilities

• Carrying out a range of assessments including telephone, virtual and face to face.
• Travelling to different trust locations and service-user's homes to complete assessments.
• Planning, attending, and contributing to a range of professional and MDT meetings.
• Keeping the people who access our services as safe as possible through the use of sound clinical skills, effective risk assessments and information gathering.
• Ensuring the best possible clinical outcomes by using up-to-date skills and adhering to evidence based policies and procedures.
• Ensuring the people who contact our services have a good experience by respecting, empowering and working in partnership with people throughout the care planning process.
• Gather further information from the referrer, patient, their carers and other organisations as necessary to assist in appropriate screening and assessment of referrals.
• Demonstrate good risk assessment and management skills, ensuring that decisions made regarding referrals are in the interests of the individual patient's needs and their safety, upgrading referrals where necessary.
• Be fully conversant with statutory and non-statutory services across Essex.
• Redirect referrals into specialist mental health services where appropriate, and liaise with these teams as necessary.
• Liaise with Primary Care Network practitioners where appropriate.
• Signpost callers on as appropriate into non-statutory, third sector services.
• Respond to referrals within time limits set out.
• Ensuring that referrals are prioritised depending on the urgency of the referral.
• Ensure safe and effective delivery of care / advice to patients and their carers, utilising own knowledge and skills.
• Provide support, information and education to family members, carers and other professionals who may access the SPA.
• Build and maintain excellent working relationships with key stakeholders, such as PCN practitioners, GPs, IAPT, and others.
• Maintain a good public image of the SPA by dealing with all calls and referrals in a professional manner.
• Be aware of appropriate escalation procedures in relation to difficult calls, e.g. a suicidal patient.
• Ensure that there is effective liaison / communication pathways with other services.
• Participate in both clinical and managerial 1:1 support in relation to the role.
• Participate in ongoing training / teaching / reflective practice sessions as required.
• Participate in ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the SPA process, ensuring that all required data is collected.
• Monitor standards of clinical practice of the SPA, recommending changes where necessary.
• Ensure that all professional and Trust-wide clinical policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Be responsible for the maintenance and accurate patient records on relevant patient information system (i.e. Paris).
• Attending and participating in a range of professional and MDT meetings including Child protection, MARAC, and other safeguarding meetings.

Closed Date: 2025-10-31