This is a new, exciting, and innovative post to support the needs of the local population living with mental health difficulties. The role holder will fulfil an Advanced first contact specialist mental health role within GP Practices across the Primary Care Network (PCN), seeing patients who would otherwise have traditionally seen a GP. Within the primary care setting, the role holder will work in a collaborative and multi-agency way. This will contribute to the safe and effective day to day operation of the PCN and the efficient and timely management of clinical enquiries and decision-making. The post will sit within the GP Practices and will facilitate the interface between Primary Care and Secondary Mental Health Services to provide specialist advice and support, assessment, treatment, education and solution-focused approaches to the local Primary Care Teams, for patients and carers. The post-holder will manage their daily clinics and act as a specialist advisor to GPs, such as specialist opinion or prescribing support (within the parameters of the Non-medical prescribing/NMP framework) and providing supervision and oversight of First Contact Mental Health Practitioners. You will be a non-medical prescriber or be willing to study towards this accreditation. Experience of cognitive behavioural therapy would be advantageous. You will assume an active leadership role in the establishment of partnerships and networks with key stakeholders across the PCN and the wider mental health care system. To offer specialist advice to, or obtain advice for, the Primary Care Team on appropriate interventions and on-going patient care management. To lead on the creation and development of links and a culture of partnership between Primary Care Teams and Mental Health Services, promoting clear communication and access to specialist knowledge and advice. This ensures that each person, once assessed, receives the best possible care in the right place at the right time and by the right supporting service. To take a leading role in the facilitation of joint working relationships across PCN, Secondary Care providers, and the Voluntary Care Sector to increase the range of services/interventions available to the communities served. To facilitate others in the team to develop competence by providing clinical advice and clinical supervision to practice based First Contact Mental Health Practitioners and other practice staff as appropriate, including other less experienced practice based mental health workers and students. To provide specialist clinical advice, consultation, and support to other care providers within primary, secondary, voluntary and statutory services as required. To attend PCN meetings and work with PCN members to develop and implement joint governance and clinical multidisciplinary forums. To assume a leadership role and responsibility within the existing Mental Health multidisciplinary (MDT) meetings across the PCN. To promote, develop and manage clear links, pathways and information sharing processes between existing services, and when appropriate, advise the GPs on alternative approaches to improve case management. To provide support, education and guidance of common mental health problems and their management to colleagues across the multi-disciplinary team(s), so they develop their skills and confidence in assessment and treatment of mental health needs. To collate and organise contemporaneous information about opportunities and resources in the local area which may be of benefit to clients referred to the service (e.g. voluntary and community organisations, educational and recreational opportunities). To facilitate sign posting to other appropriate services and occasionally undertake very short-term interventions for clients with mild to moderate mental health difficulties (average length of time expected to be 6 weeks). Working alongside the PCN staff, which could include a care co-ordination team and social prescribing link worker. To be professionally accountable and responsible for patient care, providing brief, time-limited therapeutic interventions in GP surgeries, patients homes and other primary care settings. In line with the principles for community transformation, you will ensure systems/pathways are in place to enable smooth transition between primary care and secondary mental health services. To work closely with Primary Care Network, GPs and Social Prescribers/other practice-based mental health workers within the locality regarding the mental health needs of their adult practice population. Additional contact details: Laura Wright, FCMHP Team Manager - laura.wright82@nhs.net