Calderdale Council is the ideal place for you to progress your career. We support our AMHPs to ensure they have the resources and environment they need to make a real difference in our community. We are keen to appoint enthusiastic and experienced AMHPs who share our vision in the development of the AMHP role.
Main duties of the job
Our newly-formed AMHP HUB provides a single point of referral for requests for Mental Health Act assessments, advice and associated work across the borough. It offers the opportunity to apply your professional skills, values and specialist knowledge in the context of working with complex ethical and legislative processes.
You will have the experience and confidence to work autonomously when considering the use of the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended 2007) and to offer advice to families and professional referrers. As we work from an AMHP HUB base you will receive ongoing support and guidance from colleagues, and also offer the same. You will receive a structured induction, monthly supervision from our AMHP Lead, access to our AMHP Forum, regional YAMHP, opportunities to achieve 18 hours of AMHP training a year and to explore further interests or research. Due to the nature of our work it is important that you have a full driving licence and access to a car on a daily basis.
About us
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. Applicants to posts that are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act will require a DBS from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed.
Job responsibilities
Approved Mental Health Professionals work on behalf of local authorities to carry out a variety of functions under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended 2007).
The AMHP role is a complex one and requires the ability to exercise the appropriate use of independence, authority and autonomy. It is also unique in that the AMHP is acting as an autonomous professional rather than as an agent of the Local Authority. As such whilst they can be tasked to consider a Mental Health Act assessment, they are solely responsible for decision-making in the use of formal powers. They need significant experience in mental health law to undertake their duties, and lead, consider and co-ordinate Mental Health Act assessments in a variety of situations.
1. Consider all referrals determined by the Mental Health Act (MHA) 1983 and as amended 2007, lead and co-ordinate assessments in a timely manner. This includes requests for Mental Health Act assessments and associated work in a range of locations including amongst others, the community, a patient's own home, hospital, s136 suites.
2. Contribute to an effective and responsive AMHP service. This may require the post holder to consider and lead more than one assessment request at a time, when it is safe to do so.
3. Work within the guiding principles of the MHA, the Code of Practice, Mental Health Regulations, Tribunals Guidance, Social Supervision Guidance plus associated Case Law and as an autonomous decision-maker within the AMHP HUB, within the local authority procedures and with the support, supervision and guidance of the AMHP Lead. AMHPs are autonomously responsible for all decisions they make under the Mental Health Act.
4. Undertake risk assessment, including gathering information from a range of sources, utilising the support of other agencies in decision-making and exercise of assessments in situations where risk necessitates this. Make applications for a warrant to enter premises when necessary and arrange the timely execution.
5. Interview the patient in an appropriate manner as defined by legislation, ensuring they are fully aware of their rights.
6. Identify and consult with the patient's nearest relative, ensuring they are fully aware of their rights and responsibilities under the Act.
7. Arrange safe conveyance to hospital or make alternative arrangements necessary when an application is not made and to inform all relevant agencies, including the nearest relative, of these arrangements.
8. Make enquiries to establish a patient's place of residence in order to determine s117 eligibility following current case law and lead on the preparation, review, amendment and/or revocation of s117 aftercare plans for eligible patients.
9. Prepare Social Circumstance Reports and give evidence and professional opinion to Managers Hearings/ Tribunals as required.
10. Provide social supervision to conditionally discharged forensic patients and prepare risk management reports for the Ministry of Justice. This includes the management of risk and the use of recall to hospital.
11. Establish and develop collaborative working with allied health and social care professionals within the professional remit of the AMHP role.
12. Maintain accurate and timely records including the AMHP Report and case recording.
13. Keep up-to-date with research, develop and disseminate greater understanding of evidence-based practice, providing professional assistance and guidance to colleagues within the council and other agencies as appropriate.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Degree in social work or equivalent professional qualification (CSS, CQSW, DipSW)
* Post-qualifying AMHP award and evidence of ongoing training.
* Registered with Social Work England
* Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work purposes.
Experience
* Significant knowledge of Adult Social Care legislation and policy guidance and have an understanding of the principles, practice and provisions of community care.
* A high-level working knowledge of the Mental Health Acts and Mental Capacity Act and the ability to demonstrate this in practice.
* Ability to assess the social care needs of individuals and their carers, in order to make professional decisions based on assessed needs.
* Ability to use a range of IT applications.
* Knowledge of sources of oppression, disadvantage and discrimination and their impact at a structural and individual level in society.
* Understand concepts of choice and control and enable users to self-direct the assessment process and the support that they receive.
* In-depth knowledge of social work theories including crisis interventions.
* Working within an adult social work setting.
* Working within a multi-agency context.
* Ability to take responsibility for personal development and the development of others.
* Ability to handle complex and challenging situations and be able to identify and manage risks, including risks to vulnerable adults.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Date posted
06 November 2024
Salary
£44,711 to £47,754 a year plus 2 increments for AMHP.
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