Job summary
The Westminster Older Adults and Health Ageing Community Mental Health Team is a dynamic and integrated multidisciplinary service providing mental health and social care support to older adults in Westminster with functional disorders and dementia. It is co-located with the Westminster City Council mental health team, offering a holistic approach to care. The team is also involved in the CNWL Open Dialogue project, which promotes person-centred recovery-oriented care.
The team operates using a case management and recovery-focused model, offering multidisciplinary assessments and interventions for service users with complex needs, as well as their families and carers. Regular multidisciplinary meetings facilitate case discussions, initial assessments, and reflective practice. A key feature of the service is the integrated older adults home treatment team, which delivers intensive support, crisis management, admission prevention, and helps ensure timely hospital discharges. The CMHT and HTT teams collaborate closely, offering a responsive and flexible service to meet the needs of service users. Coordination with older adults' inpatient services allows smooth transitions of care.
The service promotes a friendly, respectful work environment where staff receive professional development, including supervision and appraisals. Involvement of service users and carers is a core element of the service's design and delivery.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.
The postholder will provide older adults clinical leadership as part of the management team. Additionally the role would focus on developing transformation agenda, integration and primary care pathways. The role would provide an exciting development opportunity for staff to interface across primary care and secondary care, and deliver more holistic and joined up care for older adults with multiple complex co-morbidities including frailty, functional mental health needs and/or dementia. It would also involve providing specialist advice, assessment and formulation and delivery of brief interventions for older adults with complex mental health conditions and dementia, who may be new or known previously to secondary care mental health services.
Developing clinical pathways across the mental health older adults, including clinical practice and standards, as well as supporting with organisational development and quality improvement strategies. Furthermore, the role would involve supporting workforce development, particularly community mental health nursing and allied mental health professionals ensuring that staff develop the skills and strategies required for their roles.
About us
- Flexible shift working opportunities for a healthier work-life balance
- Commitment from the team todevelop youby offering coaching and in-house development sessions such as, Leadership programmes,non-medical prescribing, CBT-P training and much more
- Free access to our Staff and Wellbeing serviceto ensure that you are always looking after yourself
- Commitment tocareer mappingto ensure continuous professional development including opportunities within the Trust
- Shadowing opportunitiesincluding HTT, Psych Liaison and many more
- LocalReflective Practice forumsrun by one of the senior leads
- An opportunity to work with afriendly, dynamic, passionate and diverse teamwho are committed to looking after each other as well as their patients
- Excellentstaff benefits: our benefit packages are amongst the best in London and include: childcare vouchers, health and wellbeing services, season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, blue light card, discounts at Nando's and Superdrug, mobile phone contracts and much more!
- Award-winning Staff Networks
- Hidden Gem & annualaward ceremonies
Job description
Job responsibilities
**Please see full job description for further information**
Overview of Main Responsibilities:
In conjunction with the team manager:
Job Purpose:
- To provide the clinical lead for staff within the service.
- To assist the team manager in developing a model of working with service users with complex needs, ensuring that services. are provided to the highest possible standard.
- To deputise for the team manager as needed.
- Participate in and lead meetings as appropriate.
- The postholder would be expected to show demonstrable experience of working with older adults/ those with complex physical and MH needs including functional and organic illness, an ability to work flexibly and collaboratively across local environments and strong interpersonal skills.
- The postholder will be expected to have well developed clinical skills of their own in order to enable them to practice at a high standard, appropriately guide and supervise staff at all levels.
- To manage a caseload as needed, including providing access and /or deliver a broad range of psychosocial interventions for individual patients, carry out robust risk assessments and care planning.
- To provide expert advice and consultation in professional matters relating to the postholders discipline, and to ensure that expert information and advice is available for the other disciplines in the team.
- To work with in the relevant legislative frameworks (e.g. Mental Health Act (1983) Mental Capacity Act (2005), Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Care Act 2014 etc).
- To ensure that the team works within the relevant frameworks and policies for safeguarding vulnerable adults.
- To ensure that services within the multidisciplinary team are well co-ordinated in order they are responsive and attuned to the needs of service users, carers and families
- To demonstrate a high level of clinical competence both in relation to supervision of staff and direct face to face contact with service users.
- To ensure that the service works in co-ordination with other Community and Acute In-Patient services.
- To ensure effective liaison with other relevant agencies.
- To maintain and develop administrative procedures regarding the recording of case records.
- To ensure that service users are involved in the development of the team and local services.
Job description
Job responsibilities
**Please see full job description for further information**
Overview of Main Responsibilities:
In conjunction with the team manager:
Job Purpose:
- To provide the clinical lead for staff within the service.
- To assist the team manager in developing a model of working with service users with complex needs, ensuring that services. are provided to the highest possible standard.
- To deputise for the team manager as needed.
- Participate in and lead meetings as appropriate.
- The postholder would be expected to show demonstrable experience of working with older adults/ those with complex physical and MH needs including functional and organic illness, an ability to work flexibly and collaboratively across local environments and strong interpersonal skills.
- The postholder will be expected to have well developed clinical skills of their own in order to enable them to practice at a high standard, appropriately guide and supervise staff at all levels.
- To manage a caseload as needed, including providing access and /or deliver a broad range of psychosocial interventions for individual patients, carry out robust risk assessments and care planning.
- To provide expert advice and consultation in professional matters relating to the postholders discipline, and to ensure that expert information and advice is available for the other disciplines in the team.
- To work with in the relevant legislative frameworks (e.g. Mental Health Act (1983) Mental Capacity Act (2005), Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Care Act 2014 etc).
- To ensure that the team works within the relevant frameworks and policies for safeguarding vulnerable adults.
- To ensure that services within the multidisciplinary team are well co-ordinated in order they are responsive and attuned to the needs of service users, carers and families
- To demonstrate a high level of clinical competence both in relation to supervision of staff and direct face to face contact with service users.
- To ensure that the service works in co-ordination with other Community and Acute In-Patient services.
- To ensure effective liaison with other relevant agencies.
- To maintain and develop administrative procedures regarding the recording of case records.
- To ensure that service users are involved in the development of the team and local services.
Person Specification
Educational and Qualifications
Essential
- Professional qualification Mental Health Nursing (RMN) with current NMC/HCPC registration. / Occupational Therapist/ Social Worker Attained at least Level 2 Maths and English (equivalent to GCSE grade 9-4 (A*-C))
Desirable
- Educated to degree or Diploma level with other courses relevant to primary care mental health services e.g. CBT, Brief Solution Focussed Therapy etc.
- RGN/physical health qualification.Evidence of recent and on-going relevant further professional development.Attendance at specialist short courses relevant to the post (e.g. MBT or DBT, Trauma Informed Care, Group Approaches)
- Open Dialogue training, or willingness to undertake
Previous Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with older adults/ those with complex physical and MH needs including functional and organic illness
- Experience of work in the NHS, PCNs or outreach work, experience of working in voluntary sector, working in community groups
- Work with older adults with serious mental health problems: omental health care and/or oworking with carers and/or odelivering therapeutic group interventions and/or oworking in MDTs and/or oaudit, evaluation or research oWork in multi-cultural settings oMental health issues as a service user or carer.
Desirable
- Evidence of experience in a Band 6 position or equivalent
- Work with interpreters
- Conducting service-related research and or audit experience
- Other relevant post registration experience
- Work with people with complex emotional needs (personality disorder)
- Experience of working in a primary care setting/ social care/ voluntary sector
- Experience of teaching/training in a formal or informal setting
- Work with behaviours that challenge services
Knowledge
Essential
- Basic understanding of health care systems and structures: staffing, roles and responsibilities, the role of hospitals, primary care and community care oTeam/self-management and organisation skills that enable a number of complex activities and clinical work to be undertaken, revising and adjusting these according to the needs of individual patients and the service
- Knowledge of counselling skills/cognitive behavioural skills, psychosocial interventions oKnowledge of recovery approaches as used with those with mental health conditions oWork with people from a wide range of backgrounds
- Contain and work with organisational stress and able to hold the stress of others
- Respectful and collaborative approach to service users, families, carers, colleagues and other professionals oAble to negotiate and ability to handle confrontation effectively and professionally
- Ability to engage challenging and/or acutely distressed patients in potentially hostile and/or antagonistic situations and use de-escalation techniques effectively oAssessment and treatment of Deliberate Self Harm oRisk assessment/management and crisis intervention skills
- Use of psychosocial assessment methods
- Higher level communication skills, both written and oral
- Sufficient clinical knowledge to be able to make autonomous decisions, based on an analysis of complex presenting problems and judgement about available options, with senior clinical support/supervision
- Higher level communication skills, both written and oral
- Sufficient clinical knowledge to be able to make autonomous decisions, based on an analysis of complex presenting problems and judgement about available options, with senior clinical support/supervision
Desirable
- Ability to interpret research and apply to practice
- Specialist knowledge of mental health conditions as well as their relationship to physical disorders
Operational
Essential
- Computer literate
- Concentrate intensely for a substantial proportion of working time, during client contact, teaching/supervision sessions, team meetings, preparing written work etc. oUse IT packages - word processing, e-mail and internet, Excel and Access
- Ability to use or learn NHS clinical systems
- Accept accountability for own work, and of working towards defined results
- Being able to work flexibly across local environments
- Work to professional guidelines
- Work cross-culturally and/or in different languages
- Plan, organise and prioritise own workload
- Record and report on clinical information as required
- Awareness of diversity of cultural norms and being able to respond to this appropriately
Desirable
- Experience in using SystmOne
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to work effectively, timely and independently
- Commitment to equal opportunities
- Exercise initiative, flexibility and tact and self-awareness
- Ability to frequently work under pressure and maintain intense concentration, particularly in unpredictable situations where there will be exposure to highly distressed and/or disturbed patients, often exhibiting challenging behaviours and the risk of physical violence
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to accept constructive feedback
- Self-motivated, able to work autonomously and independently with confidence when required
- Willing to use peer and group supervision creatively oBe able to work flexibly if required oBe aware of the limitations in your competencies and seek appropriate senior advice and leadership
Desirable
- Personal experience of a mental health condition and/or caring role
Person Specification
Educational and Qualifications
Essential
- Professional qualification Mental Health Nursing (RMN) with current NMC/HCPC registration. / Occupational Therapist/ Social Worker Attained at least Level 2 Maths and English (equivalent to GCSE grade 9-4 (A*-C))
Desirable
- Educated to degree or Diploma level with other courses relevant to primary care mental health services e.g. CBT, Brief Solution Focussed Therapy etc.
- RGN/physical health qualification.Evidence of recent and on-going relevant further professional development.Attendance at specialist short courses relevant to the post (e.g. MBT or DBT, Trauma Informed Care, Group Approaches)
- Open Dialogue training, or willingness to undertake
Previous Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with older adults/ those with complex physical and MH needs including functional and organic illness
- Experience of work in the NHS, PCNs or outreach work, experience of working in voluntary sector, working in community groups
- Work with older adults with serious mental health problems: omental health care and/or oworking with carers and/or odelivering therapeutic group interventions and/or oworking in MDTs and/or oaudit, evaluation or research oWork in multi-cultural settings oMental health issues as a service user or carer.
Desirable
- Evidence of experience in a Band 6 position or equivalent
- Work with interpreters
- Conducting service-related research and or audit experience
- Other relevant post registration experience
- Work with people with complex emotional needs (personality disorder)
- Experience of working in a primary care setting/ social care/ voluntary sector
- Experience of teaching/training in a formal or informal setting
- Work with behaviours that challenge services
Knowledge
Essential
- Basic understanding of health care systems and structures: staffing, roles and responsibilities, the role of hospitals, primary care and community care oTeam/self-management and organisation skills that enable a number of complex activities and clinical work to be undertaken, revising and adjusting these according to the needs of individual patients and the service
- Knowledge of counselling skills/cognitive behavioural skills, psychosocial interventions oKnowledge of recovery approaches as used with those with mental health conditions oWork with people from a wide range of backgrounds
- Contain and work with organisational stress and able to hold the stress of others
- Respectful and collaborative approach to service users, families, carers, colleagues and other professionals oAble to negotiate and ability to handle confrontation effectively and professionally
- Ability to engage challenging and/or acutely distressed patients in potentially hostile and/or antagonistic situations and use de-escalation techniques effectively oAssessment and treatment of Deliberate Self Harm oRisk assessment/management and crisis intervention skills
- Use of psychosocial assessment methods
- Higher level communication skills, both written and oral
- Sufficient clinical knowledge to be able to make autonomous decisions, based on an analysis of complex presenting problems and judgement about available options, with senior clinical support/supervision
- Higher level communication skills, both written and oral
- Sufficient clinical knowledge to be able to make autonomous decisions, based on an analysis of complex presenting problems and judgement about available options, with senior clinical support/supervision
Desirable
- Ability to interpret research and apply to practice
- Specialist knowledge of mental health conditions as well as their relationship to physical disorders
Operational
Essential
- Computer literate
- Concentrate intensely for a substantial proportion of working time, during client contact, teaching/supervision sessions, team meetings, preparing written work etc. oUse IT packages - word processing, e-mail and internet, Excel and Access
- Ability to use or learn NHS clinical systems
- Accept accountability for own work, and of working towards defined results
- Being able to work flexibly across local environments
- Work to professional guidelines
- Work cross-culturally and/or in different languages
- Plan, organise and prioritise own workload
- Record and report on clinical information as required
- Awareness of diversity of cultural norms and being able to respond to this appropriately
Desirable
- Experience in using SystmOne
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to work effectively, timely and independently
- Commitment to equal opportunities
- Exercise initiative, flexibility and tact and self-awareness
- Ability to frequently work under pressure and maintain intense concentration, particularly in unpredictable situations where there will be exposure to highly distressed and/or disturbed patients, often exhibiting challenging behaviours and the risk of physical violence
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to accept constructive feedback
- Self-motivated, able to work autonomously and independently with confidence when required
- Willing to use peer and group supervision creatively oBe able to work flexibly if required oBe aware of the limitations in your competencies and seek appropriate senior advice and leadership
Desirable
- Personal experience of a mental health condition and/or caring role
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
