Job summary Band 5 - Mental Health Law Co-ordinator / Administrator - Full time: Are you an experienced Administrator? Are you looking for a challenge in a Mental Health Law Team? Then come and join us at the Harplands Hospital. We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Mental Health Law Co-Ordinator/Administrator within our Mental Health Law Team. £29,970 - £36,483 per annum, 37.5 hours per week. You will have excellent communication skills and to ensure strong governance in relation to the use and application of mental health law, specifically the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended in 2007), Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (2009). In return we can offer you: A supportive & friendly working environment Active encouragement to learn and develop within your role Dedicated career pathways and great opportunities for continuing professional development Commitment to, and support for your wellbeing Main duties of the job This role is to support the Medicines and Clinical Effectiveness Team, as part of the corporate portfolio in order to provide seamless customer service to both internal and external customers. The role will be based in the Corporate Portfolio while holding a primary assignment within the Mental Health Law Team. The role of administering the Mental Health Act has been formally delegated by the Hospital Managers (Executive Trust Board) to the Mental Health Law administration Team.The role of the Mental Health Law Co-ordinator/Administrator is to ensure strong governance in relation to the use and application of mental health law, specifically the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended in 2007), Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (2009). The Co-ordinator role is also key in supporting inspection and assurance activities; specifically those undertaken by the Care Quality Commission [CQC]. There is an expectation that the Mental Health Law Co-ordinator will participate in the delivery of training and education to staff as well as receiving it; the Co-ordinator will also participate and on occasions lead clinical audit activity relating to the implementation and administration of the Mental Health Act. About us As a Trust we remain bold and ambitious with plans for both service and system collaborative transformation over the coming years to improve the health and wellbeing of our local people through high quality care. We pride ourselves onensuring our team has their wellbeing put first and as such provide a range of wellness opportunities including flexible working. We are committed to the Greener NHS national ambition to becoming the world's first 'carbon net zero' national health system by 2045 (Greener NHS (england.nhs.uk). As part of this, sustainability is embedded in our strategy as one of our four key enablers. In order to deliver on this commitment, we recognise that we need a workforce that is as passionate as we are about achieving these goals, for the benefit of our service users, workforce, local communities and the planet alike. For 2024/2025, we have launched our "Proud to be Green" engagement campaign which is aligned to the targets set out in our Green Plan. As a Trust, you can be assured that we will commit to supporting you in working towards our net zero ambitions, set out in our Green Plan, through our sustainability programme". The Trust is committed to ensuring that a diverse workforce is representative and inclusive at all levels. We would very much welcome applications from all under-represented groups including women, people with disabilities, people from global majority backgrounds, and those from the lesbian, gay, bi and trans communities. Date posted 05 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 5 Salary £29,970 to £36,483 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 232-COR-6935693 Job locations Harplands Hospital Stoke-on-Trent ST4 6TH Job description Job responsibilities To administer and co-ordinator on behalf of the Hospital Managers the following tasks: Official receipt and scrutiny of Section papers to ensure legality. Train nursing staff on receipt and scrutiny of section paperwork. Scrutiny involves a more detailed check for omissions, errors and other defects under Section 15 of the MHA and taking action to have the documents rectified following standard Trust procedures. Even when the papers have been received by someone else, the mental health law team must scrutinise as soon as possible for accuracy and completeness to ensure they comply with the statutory requirements of detention. Although there is no provision under the MHA to rectify Community treatment Order (CTO) paperwork, the mental health law team must still scrutinise to ensure it is correctly completed as significant errors may invalidate the authority to detain a patient. Organise and co-ordinate distribution of correspondence to patients, professionals and the nearest relative as appropriate and according to the requirements of the Mental Health Act 1983 in a timely manner, including detained patients both in hospital and in the community using Trust standard letters. Provide patient information leaflets regarding detention under the MHA. Include information to patients on their rights to appeal to the Tribunal and or the Associate Hospital Managers. Ensure compliance with consent to treatment regulations under the mental health act, co-ordinating and making referrals for a CQC Second Opinion Appointed Doctor as and when required to do so. On a day to day basis take responsibility for DOLS matters, including recording of applications, submission of applications, outcomes and appropriate reminders to clinical staff regarding the DOLS expiry of both urgent and standard authorisations. Recording DOLS statistics for statutory reporting to the ICB when required. Maintain an accurate up to date list of all Ministry of Justice patients the Trust responsible for. To oversee and supervise arrangements for Hospital Managers Hearings and Mental Health Tribunals and arrange completion of professional reports. Organising legal papers for the renewal of Sections under the Act by synchronising dates for review to ensure that Hearings and Tribunals are held in the legally correct sequence. Ensure timescales are achieved in a timely manner to meet the requirements when the Trust is responsible for referring the patient for a Tribunal Hearing, both in-patients and community patients subject to a CTO. To compile and co-ordinate statistical and other information as required for local, regional and national purposes including both planned and unplanned visits by the Care Quality Commission, other Inspection Organisations, the local Mental Health Law Governance Group and clinical audits. To Act on behalf of the Hospital Managers by liaising with Solicitors and the Trusts contracted legal advisors to ensure that the appropriate and most up-to-date advice for clinical and other professional staff when applying the Act and associated mental health law in clinical practice. To ensure that doctors completing medical recommendations under the Act are approved under Section 12 as required by the Code of Practice, via close liaison with the Regional Mental Health Section 12(2) Approval Office and Trust medical staffing department. To support the review of policies, procedures and standard operating procedures. To attend monitoring and educational forums as necessary. Develop and deliver training to Trust Clinical staff, both general and bespoke topics are covered. Deliver training to students and newly qualified staff. Responsibility to organise, attend, administrate and participate in the Trust Mental Health Law Governance Group and the Trusts Associate Hospital Managers Forum. To ensure full accurate data entry into relevant networked systems in relation to client demographics, completion of the minimum data-set for the Mental Health Act information system, including the outcome of appeals, monitoring of Section 17 leave of absence and legal entitlement to aftercare under Section 117 of the Act. Producing the necessary computer generated letters associated with the process. To fulfil the administrative requirements of the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended in 2007) and associated Mental Health Law and maintain a working knowledge of all aspects of the business of the Mental Health Law Team by administering other processes associated with its work Ensure Trust staff understand the importance and comply with the law to prevent illegal detention and possible claims. For full details, please see the attached job description and person specification. Job description Job responsibilities To administer and co-ordinator on behalf of the Hospital Managers the following tasks: Official receipt and scrutiny of Section papers to ensure legality. Train nursing staff on receipt and scrutiny of section paperwork. Scrutiny involves a more detailed check for omissions, errors and other defects under Section 15 of the MHA and taking action to have the documents rectified following standard Trust procedures. Even when the papers have been received by someone else, the mental health law team must scrutinise as soon as possible for accuracy and completeness to ensure they comply with the statutory requirements of detention. Although there is no provision under the MHA to rectify Community treatment Order (CTO) paperwork, the mental health law team must still scrutinise to ensure it is correctly completed as significant errors may invalidate the authority to detain a patient. Organise and co-ordinate distribution of correspondence to patients, professionals and the nearest relative as appropriate and according to the requirements of the Mental Health Act 1983 in a timely manner, including detained patients both in hospital and in the community using Trust standard letters. Provide patient information leaflets regarding detention under the MHA. Include information to patients on their rights to appeal to the Tribunal and or the Associate Hospital Managers. Ensure compliance with consent to treatment regulations under the mental health act, co-ordinating and making referrals for a CQC Second Opinion Appointed Doctor as and when required to do so. On a day to day basis take responsibility for DOLS matters, including recording of applications, submission of applications, outcomes and appropriate reminders to clinical staff regarding the DOLS expiry of both urgent and standard authorisations. Recording DOLS statistics for statutory reporting to the ICB when required. Maintain an accurate up to date list of all Ministry of Justice patients the Trust responsible for. To oversee and supervise arrangements for Hospital Managers Hearings and Mental Health Tribunals and arrange completion of professional reports. Organising legal papers for the renewal of Sections under the Act by synchronising dates for review to ensure that Hearings and Tribunals are held in the legally correct sequence. Ensure timescales are achieved in a timely manner to meet the requirements when the Trust is responsible for referring the patient for a Tribunal Hearing, both in-patients and community patients subject to a CTO. To compile and co-ordinate statistical and other information as required for local, regional and national purposes including both planned and unplanned visits by the Care Quality Commission, other Inspection Organisations, the local Mental Health Law Governance Group and clinical audits. To Act on behalf of the Hospital Managers by liaising with Solicitors and the Trusts contracted legal advisors to ensure that the appropriate and most up-to-date advice for clinical and other professional staff when applying the Act and associated mental health law in clinical practice. To ensure that doctors completing medical recommendations under the Act are approved under Section 12 as required by the Code of Practice, via close liaison with the Regional Mental Health Section 12(2) Approval Office and Trust medical staffing department. To support the review of policies, procedures and standard operating procedures. To attend monitoring and educational forums as necessary. Develop and deliver training to Trust Clinical staff, both general and bespoke topics are covered. Deliver training to students and newly qualified staff. Responsibility to organise, attend, administrate and participate in the Trust Mental Health Law Governance Group and the Trusts Associate Hospital Managers Forum. To ensure full accurate data entry into relevant networked systems in relation to client demographics, completion of the minimum data-set for the Mental Health Act information system, including the outcome of appeals, monitoring of Section 17 leave of absence and legal entitlement to aftercare under Section 117 of the Act. Producing the necessary computer generated letters associated with the process. To fulfil the administrative requirements of the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended in 2007) and associated Mental Health Law and maintain a working knowledge of all aspects of the business of the Mental Health Law Team by administering other processes associated with its work Ensure Trust staff understand the importance and comply with the law to prevent illegal detention and possible claims. For full details, please see the attached job description and person specification. Person Specification Qualifications Essential oDegree level or equivalent level of knowledge acquired through practical experience. Qualifications Essential oRSA (or equivalent) typing/word processing skills. Experience Essential oSubstantial experience of a range of relevant procedures and software programmes, and ability to provide examples of own application of these. Person Specification Qualifications Essential oDegree level or equivalent level of knowledge acquired through practical experience. Qualifications Essential oRSA (or equivalent) typing/word processing skills. Experience Essential oSubstantial experience of a range of relevant procedures and software programmes, and ability to provide examples of own application of these. 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust Address Harplands Hospital Stoke-on-Trent ST4 6TH Employer's website https://www.combined.nhs.uk/working-together/join-our-team/ (Opens in a new tab)