Job summary
Can you help Dorset HealthCare ensure that it is applying the Mental Health Act appropriately when detaining patients?
Detaining people under the Mental Health Act is a big responsibility and Dorset HealthCare needs empathetic, hardworking and conscientious local people to ensure this only occurs when necessary and appropriate.
Mental Health Act Panels are made up of independent people who review whether the trust has the authority to continue to detain a patient under the Mental Health Act 1983.
Dorset HealthCare is looking for people from a range of backgrounds to take on the important voluntary role of Mental Health Act panel members. They'll consider verbal and written evidence from doctors, nurses, social workers and others and make a decision with two other panel members on whether to continue a person's detention or to discharge them.
Employment in this post requires a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.
Main duties of the job
Mental Health Act managers need sound English skills and the ability to read complex reports, receive verbal evidence and formulate questions to ask the professionals and attendees at the hearing. A robustness to deal with evidence that can sometimes be distressing, is also needed.
You'll have a keen interest in, or experience of, mental health, as well as the the ability to work well as part of a team.
Dorset HealthCare welcomes applications from people who can give three to six days a month, have a clean driving licence and access to a vehicle as some county-wide travel may be involved. They would like to hear from people of different ages, social and ethnic backgrounds to provide greater diversity on the panels.
There is full training for the role and a payment of £50 per hearing or Forum meeting attended, plus any mileage payments.
For an informal chat about the role please call either Gavin Macfarlane or Kirsty Tubbs on 01202 492035
About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.
We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do, and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion, and expertise in all we do.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Princes Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Princes Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Person Specification
Business Travel
Essential
- Panel Members must have access to their own vehicle and be willing to travel throughout Dorset irrespective of their own geographical location.
Knowledge, Skills and Training
Essential
- Ability to analyse and formulate appropriate questions from complex reports.
- Ability to consider how a wide range of factors affects an issue and make informed decisions.
Desirable
- Educated to at least A Level
- Have knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 and its associated Code of Practice
Job Specific Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as part of a diverse team
Desirable
- Experience of working with vulnerable people
- Experience of working with or supporting others with a mental disorder
Information Technology/Resources
Essential
- Ability to use computers to receive and send emails, understand platforms to conduct electronic hearings and ability to use Word to write up decisions.
- Ability to take notes during meetings and support colleagues to formulate decisions from these notes.
Personal Qualities / Attributes
Essential
- Interest in people and a compassionate interest in people with mental health problems.
- Ability to commit to dates up to six months ahead for panel meetings
- Acceptance of the requirement to always apply the law even if it does not appear to be in a person's best interests.
- Objective and open-minded attitude
- Ability to weigh up complex evidence and take a decisive view and to make difficult decisions.
- Ability to remain calm and robustness to deal with emotional situations
- Understand the importance of confidentiality, discretion and professional/personal boundaries.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the panel member to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.
Person Specification
Business Travel
Essential
- Panel Members must have access to their own vehicle and be willing to travel throughout Dorset irrespective of their own geographical location.
Knowledge, Skills and Training
Essential
- Ability to analyse and formulate appropriate questions from complex reports.
- Ability to consider how a wide range of factors affects an issue and make informed decisions.
Desirable
- Educated to at least A Level
- Have knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 and its associated Code of Practice
Job Specific Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as part of a diverse team
Desirable
- Experience of working with vulnerable people
- Experience of working with or supporting others with a mental disorder
Information Technology/Resources
Essential
- Ability to use computers to receive and send emails, understand platforms to conduct electronic hearings and ability to use Word to write up decisions.
- Ability to take notes during meetings and support colleagues to formulate decisions from these notes.
Personal Qualities / Attributes
Essential
- Interest in people and a compassionate interest in people with mental health problems.
- Ability to commit to dates up to six months ahead for panel meetings
- Acceptance of the requirement to always apply the law even if it does not appear to be in a person's best interests.
- Objective and open-minded attitude
- Ability to weigh up complex evidence and take a decisive view and to make difficult decisions.
- Ability to remain calm and robustness to deal with emotional situations
- Understand the importance of confidentiality, discretion and professional/personal boundaries.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the panel member to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.
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.
