Communication and Working Relationships To ensure Torbay Council fulfill their statutory roles and duties under the Mental Health Act, 1983 (and amendments 2007), and maintain close working relationships and good communication with senior managers and legal departments. Provide expert professional or technical advice in relation to the teams area of responsibility, with particular regard to complex legal issues. To provide operational and strategic liaison with police, conveyance services and any other agencies that have involvement in Mental Health Act assessments. Including initiating, attending or chairing any meetings that aid collaborative working across the Devon region. To attend and chair where appropriate, local partnership meetings to discuss and resolve issues as well as promote best practice in regard to Mental Health Act assessments. To advise the Trusts and Local Authorities about any developments or changes affecting the AMHP function and ensure any practice or policy changes are implemented. To disseminate current and new AMHP-related legal and practice advice, examples of good practice, policy changes and research to all AMHPs and any other interested parties. To respond to complaints (specific to the AMHP role), and carry out serious incident investigations disseminating feedback and learning from these matters to the AMHP workforce and wider Trust/Local Authority staff where required. To ensure close liaison with the Local Authority Emergency Duty Service Team manager to ensure legally compliant, best practice and robust systems are in place for a 24-hour response to requests for Mental Health Act assessments in Torbay. To provide scrutiny and oversight of highly complex decision making that takes place in challenging environments with reference to the Mental Health Act, any other relevant legislation and the principles outlined in the Code of Practice. To offer professional advice and support to all Approved Mental Health Professionals with regard to best practice and compliance with the law, including related legislation relevant to their work; the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and DOLS (LPS). As professional lead, to participate in complaints and disciplinary matters concerning AMHP staff and contribute to the selection and recruitment processes of AMHP staff. Planning and Organisation To work in partnership with health colleagues and ensure clear plans are in place in relation to the ability to respond to Mental Health Act assessment requests. Ensure there is an AMHP rota in place that meets the statutory requirements of the MHA and Code of Practice. To ensure data is used in order to monitor demand and predict staffing requirements. Analytical and Judgement To be a warranted AMHP and undertake Mental Health Act assessments where required. The Lead AMHP is responsible for own Health & Safety, as well as that of the AMHP Team, service users and the public. Employees should co-operate with management, follow established systems of work, use protective equipment and report defects and hazards to the AMHP Lead. The AMHP Lead should carry out, monitor and review risk assessments, providing robust induction and training packages for new and transferring staff, to ensure they receive relevant H&S training, including refresher training, report all accidents in a timely manner on RMS forms and ensure H&S is a standing item in team meetings. Responsibility and Accountability To have overall responsibility for Approved Mental Health Professional practice within Torbay. To promote the AMHP role and function within the Trusts and Local Authorities. To be accountable for demonstrating service quality standards as prescribed locally and with regard to emerging national guidance by designing, developing and implementing quality assurance systems. To ensure that effective mechanisms are in place to fully investigate complaints and incidents as they may arise. Responsibility for Patients and Client Care To ensure all patients assessed under the Mental Health Act have their rights safeguarded and are treated with dignity and respect. To ensure a timely response to all patients who are in mental health crisis and there is a requirement for a Mental Health Act assessment. Policy and Service Responsibility To ensure national and local guidance in relation to Mental Health and Mental Capacity and Care Act is adhered to and statutory duties within the remit of the post are met. To ensure that robust systems are in place within the AMHP service that minimise risk, adhere to legal and policy requirements, respect confidentiality and demonstrates sound and safe decision making and plans. To ensure policies and procedures related to the AMHP Service and Local Authority duties under the Mental Health Act are up to date and legally compliant. Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources To manage the resources of the AMHP team including work allocation, monitoring of the adherence to the National AMHP standards, budget control linked to bank staff and legal support. Provision of timely supervision of the AMHPs and completing annual appraisal for all AMHPs. To have budget responsibility linked to the provision of bank staff and costs incurred to ensure that the working environment is equipped with adequate IT and stationery. Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership and Management To provide professional leadership, expertise and advice on all matters relating to the AMHP service. To provide daily management and be available to the AMHP duty service for advice and support as an everyday responsibility. To lead on liaison with all directorates in both Trusts to ensure that the AMHP service is supported to resolve any practice, workforce, or service delivery issues. Information Technology and Administrative Duties Prepare and present reports on the AMHP Service activity and workforce issues for Torbay. Provide regular statistics to the Trusts and the Council, that accurately reflect the current demands upon the service for both statutory and non-statutory work. Responsibility for Research and Development Developing the AMHP services to promote easier access for both internal and external agencies, to the AMHP service. Undertake audits of work in relation to improving team practice, focusing upon quality assurance, improving data quality and performance, making, as necessary, recommendations for improvement to the DASS.