Welcome from our Chief Executive

Our organisation is expanding and we're looking for people with the right values, skills and/or potential to join us. We need people with energy, expertise, enthusiasm to help us provide the very best possible specialist NHS mental health and learning disability care. This involves helping us achieve our strategy to improve the quality of life for the communities we serve through People, Prevention and Partnerships.

So what can we offer you in return?

We're an organisation which puts people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. We'll help you learn, acquire new skills and gain further experience to support your career development. And we'll provide the opportunity for you to bring your fresh ideas to work about how we can do things differently and continue improving.

You will also be joining a health and care system committed to working together to do the best we can for the communities we serve. Above all, at Sussex Partnership you'll have the chance to make a difference to the lives of the patients, carers and families across our communities.

If you like the sound of that, then come and join our team.

Job overview

The post holder will be responsible on a day-to-day basis to undertake the administration of the Mental Health Act 1983 including ensuring the accuracy of MHA administration data, both in electronic and paper format- accepting and scrutinising documentation relating to a patient's detention and taking the necessary action. To include cover for other Mental Health Act team colleagues in the East & West Sussex MHA team to ensure continuity of administration of the Act.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will be expected to undertake tasks independently in line with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust policies and procedures and the Standards for Mental Health Act Administration.

The postholder will be required to respond to queries appropriate to their job role, referring more complex queries to the Mental Health Act Services Officer as appropriate.

To attend regular supervisions, Mental Health Act Team meetings and others as necessary.

Answer staff queries regarding the administration of the Act, associated legislation and the relevant processes in place to support these.

Ensure maintenance and upkeep of legal file storage management system.

Undertake necessary personal development to ensure up-to-date and continuing knowledge and understanding of legal requirements of MHA and associated legislation, case law and government guidance to help protect the Trust from possible litigation due to non-compliance with legal requirements and statutory guidance relevant to their role and responsibilities

Use personal computer and other systems in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act and Trust policies on Computer Security.

To carry out other duties appropriate to the banding as and when required.

Attend other training as necessary as specified by the Trust.

Working for our organisation

The successful candidate must be enthusiastic, willing to learn administrative and legislative processes, to work as part of a team but be self-motivated and have ability to work without supervision. The job is busy and varied and requires an eye for detail and an enquiring mind.

We offer you an opportunity to work in a unique administrative role, in a vibrant team, with potential for structured learning and personal development.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- To undertake Receipt & Scrutiny of Mental Health Act detention papers.

- To arrange and support patient hearings.

- To ensure patient clinical records are updated.

- To provide advice and guidance on the administration and application of the Mental Health Act.

Person specification

Qualifications
Essential criteria

• A sound educational background with good analytical and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Willingness and ability to learn quickly and gain a working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 and associated legislation.

Desirable criteria

• Certificate in Mental Health Law (or similar qualification) or significant relevant experience

Knowledge/Experience
Essential criteria

• Experience in a working environment with regular contact with work colleagues/public.
• Previous experience in a lead administrative role
• Ability to learn to understand and interpret provisions of the Mental Health Act and associated legislation, seeking appropriate advice and guidance where necessary

Desirable criteria

• Previous NHS experience

Skills
Essential criteria

• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy to all relevant professionals, patients, relatives and carers
• Ability to understand and interpret statute law, statutory and non-statutory guidance.
• High level of accuracy and an eye for detail required in all aspects of job role.
• The ability to prioritise work to meet legal and local deadlines.
• Ability to work alone and a committed team member and prioritise own workload.
• Ability to work alongside new members of staff allocating tasks as appropriate and playing a supportive role in their knowledge and skills development.
• Use of computer based systems and programmes - Microsoft Word, Excel, Power-point and email
• Willingness to learn to use the Patient Information System.
• Computer literate, including ability to obtain information/guidance from legal databases and government websites, etc.
• Accurate data entry and high quality typing skills.
• Must have the ability to travel to other sites within Sussex.
• Ability to concentrate on specific activities when under pressure.
• Ability to deal with an unpredictable work pattern
• Ability to deal with multiple and conflicting deadlines and demands.
• Must have the ability to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances.
• Respect and understand the need for confidentiality.
• Self-motivated, adaptable and flexible with a conscientious approach to work.
• A level of empathy for people with mental health problems and appreciation of their rights.
• Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required.
• Can demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the Trust

Sussex Partnership NHS FT is committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our communities. Our workforce is currently under-represented from Black and Minority, Ethnic and disabled communities and we would welcome applications from these communities.

We regret that we are unable to advise candidates if they have not been shortlisted. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

In the event of an excessive number of applicants the Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy earlier than indicated.

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust takes its responsibilities for the safeguarding and protection of children and young people and vulnerable adults very seriously and expects this of all its employees and bank workers. The Trust works with adult and children's social care to ensure that the integrated service has systems in place to equip staff and bank workers with the knowledge and skills to recognize abuse, and take action to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults and children and young people. It is expected that all staff and bank workers familiarise themselves with the appropriate structures and policies and with the Sussex child protection and safeguarding procedures and the Sussex multi-agency policy and procedures for safeguarding vulnerable adults and undertake the relevant essential training and further training appropriate to their role.

Successful candidates are normally offered salaries at the bottom of the relevant salary range. However, where previous or equivalent NHS experience in a similar role can be demonstrated and evidenced, this may be taken into consideration when setting the starting salary.