Permanent
Full Time, 37 hours per week
(will consider part time hours)
We have one vacancy in the following team:
• Adult Social Care AMHP Team: 1 x 37 hours per week (will consider part time hours) – East & Mid Devon
This post is open to warranted AMHPs. Our Adult Social Care Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) Service.
Adult Social Care AMHP’s carry out a broad range of tasks and assessments within the scope of the Mental Health Act; including consideration under s13, the making of applications to detain people, the use of Guardianship and Community Treatment Orders to support well-being in the community and Social Supervision work under Part 4 of the MHA.
The application and knowledge of the Mental Health Act, the Mental Capacity Act and the Human Rights Act is integral to the work of an AMHP.
The Adult Social Care AMHP Service, in particular, provides County wide support to Local Authority Adult Social Care Teams whereby we are available for advice and support with complex practice issues where mental disorder is a significant component and where there may be a need to consider legal frameworks in ensuring appropriate care and safe practice.
The team contribute to MDT working, safeguarding meetings and can undertake joint visits with Social Care staff; we also work closely with our health colleagues in Devon Partnership Trust.
The Mental Health Act does not have any age limitations, it can involve work with both adults and children; AMHPs may find themselves working across many different areas and can include close working with Learning Disability & Autism services, Older Adults teams and CAMHS teams. The Adult Social Care AMHP Service works closely with the Assigned Daytime AMHP service; providing 50% of our time to core AMHP duties / supporting the AMHP rota.
We are constantly seeking ways to improve our service, including how best to capture and utilise the voices of those that have experience of being assessed under the Mental Health Act and to further improve practice for the benefit of those who have contact with our service.
We are also committed to improving the service we offer, seeking to address the types of racial disparity in Mental Health Services that were highlighted during 2018’s Review of the Mental Health Act and the subsequent White Paper on reforming the Mental Health Act (2021).
We are also committed to supporting the recommendations of Devon County Council’s Race Equality Audit.
Professional support and on-going training
All AMHPs receive regular individual and peer group supervision and appraisal. The team is supported to have regular team days. Successful candidates will be expected to contribute to both their own learning and that of others.
As a service we are keen to support colleagues to find creative and interesting ways to share specialist AMHP knowledge and support the learning of those outside our team.
About you
You will be a be a registered Social Worker, Occupational Therapist or Mental Health Nurse with a proven commitment to professional development and experience of working with people in mental health crises.
In particular, we are interested in those who are seeking to develop and improve themselves and AMHP services and are open to working flexibly and creatively wherever possible.
You should either hold current AMHP approval, be prepared to submit a portfolio to be re-approved in-line with Devon County Council’s policies or be willing to undertake the specialist AMHP training course.
You must be able to demonstrate an excellent appreciation and understanding of the European Convention of Human Rights, be committed to the principles of mental health legislation, with a strong focus on recovery principles and awareness of the impact mental disorder can have on an individual, their family, carers and supporters.
What we can offer you
1. We are committed to your continuous professional development, doing all we can to help you to get the most from your career. You will receive excellent support and supervision, with regular opportunities to discuss and reflect on your practice, both with your line manager and peers.
2. We offer 26 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays, rising incrementally to 31 days after 5 years’ service.
3. Flexible working opportunities are available, these include part-time hours, flexitime, compressed working hours and homeworking (this is subject to the needs of the role – please discuss at further at interview)
4. Offer an opportunity to enter a generous Local Government Pension Scheme .
5. As a place to live and work, Devon is hard to beat with top-performing schools, universities, vibrant cities, pretty villages and some of the most scenic coast and countryside in the UK. Living and working in Devon as an Approved Mental Health Professional has never been more attractive.
If you are currently living, working or studying in the UK and are looking to relocate to Devon, subject to qualifying conditions, relocation support of up to £10,000, may be available. Visa sponsorship may also be offered as part of the relocation support package, terms and conditions apply.
Please note: At this time, we are unable to consider overseas applications.