Social Worker / AMHP - East CMHT

Cheshire East; Macclesfield; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A progressive local authority in Macclesfield is seeking an experienced Approved Mental Health Professional Social Worker. The role involves assessing mental health service users, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team. Ideal candidates will have a strong understanding of mental health issues and a passion for supporting individuals in need. The position offers hybrid working opportunities and requires flexibility and excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• Experience in mental health assessments and support plans.
• Knowledge of the 1983 Mental Health Act and the Care Act.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Undertake assessments as defined by the 1983 Mental Health Act.
• Co-ordinate service user assessment processes.
• Ensure legal compliance in mental health care arrangements.

Skills

Good communication

Decision making skills

Ability to work under pressure

Flexibility

Team player

Education

Approved Mental Health Professional qualification

Job description

Job Description

The Mental Health East Social Care Team are inviting applications for an experienced and self-motivated Grade 10 Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) Social Worker to join the Mental Health East Social Work team based at Jocelyn Solly Resource Centre. We are currently hybrid working from the office and at home. The successful applicant will report to and be supported by the Practice Manager Mike Wilshaw.

The Mental Health Social Workers based within the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) at Jocelyn Solly Resource Centre in Macclesfield, provide assessment and support to anyone aged 18 and over that is experiencing difficulties with their mental health that is impacting on their abilities to function fully within their everyday lives.

The successful candidate would be expected to have a caseload and to work in line with the statutory responsibilities of the Care Act and Mental Capacity Act; completing assessments and support plans for supported placements/care at home and Section 42 enquiries. You will be working within a multi-disciplinary team supporting joint working with individuals’ families and carers.

AMHP role

To undertake the assessment of service users as defined by the 1983 Mental Health Act; to collect all relevant background information including medical opinion, to make an application for the detention of service users in hospital or to provide alternative arrangements for a service user’s care in accordance with professional practice.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Consult with doctors, specialists and other professionals to establish service users' current circumstances and previous history. Collect additional relevant background information from a variety of sources, for example medical records, case notes, etc.
• Interview the service user in an appropriate manner as defined by legislation, to undertake a full risk assessment which will inform the decision-making process for an application for detention.
• Co-ordinate the service user's assessment process which necessitates liaison with other professional bodies – e.g. the police (occasionally armed), ambulance services, or courts - to obtain warrants for entering premises.
• Determine the appropriateness of an application for detention in hospital, completing the Approved Mental Health Professional report and circulate to all relevant parties.
• Produce reports for hospital managers and in preparation for attendance at Mental Health Tribunals. Arrange the safe transport of the service user and legal documentation to the hospital and check the documents for accuracy which could be the subject of legal challenge.
• Identify and consult with the nearest relative of the service user, as defined by legislation. Advise the service user of his/her legal right of appeal, and the right of the nearest relative to request the discharge of the service user.
• Make alternative arrangements for the service user’s care where an application is not made under the Act (or is refused) and to inform all relevant agencies, including the nearest relative, of these arrangements.
• Maintain appropriate records of work undertaken and carry out required administrative procedures.
• Prepare for and attend supervision sessions and staff meetings and make use of all available training and developmental opportunities.
• Contribute to the evaluation and development of services and new ideas by sharing knowledge about theory, skills and practice with other Social Services staff, professional groups and interested bodies. The job holder may be required at any time to undertake any work up to and/or at a level consistent with existing responsibilities. These tasks may be at any location in Cheshire East, to ensure the effective deployment of labour, materials, transport and equipment to meet daily service requirements.

We are seeking an individual who can demonstrate an ability to promote the rights, dignity and self-determination of individuals with a wide range of mental health issues and vulnerabilities and with a passion to develop further skills in mental health.

This is an exciting opportunity for a Social Worker which will require the use of all core skills and social work values, including good communication, decision making skills and the ability to work under pressure. The successful applicant will need to be able to adapt a flexible approach to their work and be a good team player.

If you have any queries or require additional information about this post, please feel free to contact Mike Wilshaw - [e-mail]