Clinical Forensic Lead Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Overview:

To ensure the service operates in a safe, effective & efficient way as part of the whole system of mental health services. In addition, to foster a culture that encourages and enables individuals to have an active role in identifying, planning and meeting their individual needs. To support strategic leadership in relation to service improvement and quality evaluation.

The Community Forensic Service (CFS) is a specialist mental health service for people with a mental disorder who pose a serious risk of harm to others. We also offer support to their carers. We coordinate the care of clients with mental health conditions in the community who are under a restriction order of the MHA (section 42). We manage access to low, medium and high secure inpatient beds and has an oversight of the admission. We support other teams and external organisations through specialist assessments and joint working.

The post holder will lead an integrated team of staff and will be responsible for delegating duties and taking a lead on the day to day running of the team.

Leadership responsibilities include signatory for time sheet, invoices, expenses, order and stock of all medical supplies, authorising of annual leave and oversight of the service. You will also provide management and clinical supervision to the team.

The post holder will be expected to develop and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders including local authority, probation, people who use our services and carers, and others as necessary. You will participate and represent the Community Forensic Service within Trust wide meetings and with external agencies.

You will ensure the Community Forensic Service delivers quality outcomes for those using it and meets the needs of the population it serves, taking responsibility for developing the service and implementing evidence based practices.

In addition to the leadership role, the post holder will be required to carry out specialist assessments such as HCR-20 (training will be provided) and offer care coordination to a small number of complex service users.

Qualifications required:

Clinical qualification at Diploma level or above in Mental Health nursing, Occupational Therapy, Social Work or Psychology with evidence of transferable mental health skills and practice.

Registration with a registered body is essential.

Post qualification training to degree level is desirable but not essential.

Experience required:

Have a minimum of 5 years experience working with people with MH needs, this must include experience of working in a Community Forensic Service.

Suitable for someone who is passionate and committed to deliver a safe, effective & efficient service and who enjoys supporting people to achieve their potential.

Key Responsibilities:

Promote positivity, can-do attitude and to enhance the experience of the team members and the people we serve.

Responsible for the co-ordination of roles, responsibilities and resources within the service.

Responsible for developing and implementing strategies that promote an environment of involvement and recovery.

Ensure that the agenda of social inclusion is reflected in interventions offered and implemented.

Responsible for the development of a high quality service

Lead & motivate staff to provide a pro-active and responsive high quality service, contributing to ongoing audit and evaluation.

Ensure that the necessary systems & protocols for the delivery of a safe & supportive service are in place, understood & adhered to throughout the Service.

Ensure that effective communications systems are established, maintained and monitored regularly within the Service & between the Teams & other services/agencies/partners.

Work with the Service Manager to agree clear & deliverable objectives & to ensure they are implemented & monitored.

Provide line management, including management of performance, for staff within the Service.

Responsible for team performance including monitoring of the delivery of targets and reporting thereon as appropriate, meeting internal and external information requirements and data quality.

Ensure arrangements are in place for all service members to receive regular supervision, appraisal and have their personal development plans and training needs identified and where possible met.

Ensure that all staff fulfil the requirements of statutory & mandatory training

Ensure compliance with all statutory, financial, health & safety & employment requirements

Access and use information contained within the Trusts patient based information systems.

Lead and be responsible for ensuring that they and all team members fulfil our duties regarding Safeguarding Adults

Key Practice Issues and Responsibilities:

Facilitate pro-active links and relationships between the Team & the wider community giving advice & guidance to fellow professionals, carers, voluntary organisations & the public.

Foster collaborative working relationships with the whole system.

Ensure appropriate and timely transfer of care between services.

Ensure that all practitioners maintain accurate databases.

Facilitate regular review of caseloads, providing guidance and support to ensure all care is of a high quality and is evidence based.

Management:

Undertake performance reviews for team members on an annual basis ensuring feedback on performance is given at regular intervals throughout the year.

Communicate effectively with your team on a timely basis ensuring robust systems exist so that staff feels informed.

Responsibility for risk management and health and safety in the workplace.

Support senior management in ensuring a high quality service with enhanced morale, in keeping with the principles of the Trusts Vision and Values.

Establish systems and processes for effective communication.

Represent the Service at appropriate meetings and promote the service philosophy.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• - 5 years experience of working in mental health

Desirable

• - Experience of working in Forensic services

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified and registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker or Occupational Therapist

Desirable

• Qualifications specific to Forensics

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Surrey & Border Partnership Trust

Curfew Bell Road

Chertsey

Surrey

KT16 9FG

Employer's website

https://www.sabp.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)