Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, motivated and diligent person to provide legal administrative support as part of the Mental Health Legislation and Compliance Department . The post holder will play a key role in delivering a quality Mental Health Law service in line with Trust Procedural Guidelines and Standards. The post holder will be required to work independently using initiative with strong organisational skills, while applying a high degree of confidentiality and accuracy to their work.
Main duties of the job
As a Mental Health Law Officer you will be expected to co-ordinate information and provide legal administration and support in order to facilitate the effective running of the department. This will include but is not limited to:
- Supporting HPFT staff to ensure that the Mental Health Act and associated legislation is adhered to so that service user's rights are protected.
- To act as the first point of contact for enquiries from service users, carers and professionals.
- Liaising with professionals when statutory documentation is required.
- To maintain and update systems and spreadsheets including an Electronic Patient Record.
- Liaising with other agencies e.g Safeguarding teams at the general hospitals,Mental Health Liaison Services, Advocates, Solicitors, First Tier Tribunal Mental Health, Ministry of Justice, Care Quality Commission
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a specialist team . As such, it is essential that the Mental Health Law Officer has the ability to operate without direct supervision, using independent judgement and taking responsibility for the oversight and control of a defined workload.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just fivemental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.
Our family of over 3500 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services.
The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Our Trust values are:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it!
Would you like to be part of the HPFT family? Would you like work with us to ensure our service users live the fullest lives possible they can? Would you like to be supported in your career to be the best that you can be?
Then please read on...
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To support the MH Legislation and Compliance Department and in doing so will ensure that the Mental Health Act and associated legislation is adhered to so that service users rights are protected.
- To act as the first point of contact for enquiries from service users and their Nearest Relatives. The post holder will be expected to work within standard operational procedures and will refer any enquiries to the appropriate personnel as necessary.
- To give information by letter with regard to detention under the Mental Health Act to service users and where appropriate their nearest relative.
- To provide reminders to Responsible Clinicians when statutory documentation is required.
- To provide reminders to Responsible Clinicians when sections are due to expire.
- To ensure that statutory documentation is accurate and available on the Electronic Patient Record (EPR).
- To maintain and update systems and spreadsheets including an Electronic Patient Record.
- To assist in the administrative tasks associated with Care Quality Commission (CQC) visits.
- To assist with the monitoring of use of the Community Treatment Order and the Consent to Treatment provisions.
- To support Hospital Managers and Tribunal Hearings.
- To develop and maintain an understanding and knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 and how this applies to the administration of the Act.
- To be actively engaged with team meetings and developmental opportunities.
Clinical Responsibility
- To ensure that Responsible Clinicians complete statutory documentation in respect of Section 58 and Section 62, (Consent to Treatment and treatment of urgent necessity) so that provision of medical treatment in respect of Mental Disorder is administered lawfully.
Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility
- No management responsibility however the post holder would be expected to support new staff in basic Mental Health Act procedures as and when required.
Financial Responsibility
- The post holder will be expected to monitor stocks of office stationery and request items where necessary.
Service Development and Improvement
- The post holder will follow policies in their own role and will be expected to comment on policy development.
Communications
- To ensure that systems in place to provide service users within the General Hospitals and Trust with information on the Mental Health Act are being used appropriately.
- To liaise with the Mental Health Leads at the general hospitals to ensure that all MHA detentions are recorded accurately and effective systems are in place to monitor detentions
- The post holder will be expected to communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders, including fellow colleagues within HPFT, external agencies and service users and their families.
- To liaise with relevant parties on issues relating to appeals whilst the service user is subject to a section order under the Act. Ensuring that all parties are aware of when hearings will take place and when relevant documentation should be available to the MH Law Officer.
- The Post holder will adhere at all times to Trust policies in relation to communication and confidentially, particularly in relation to service user information with third parties and family members.
- The post holder will be expected to communicate with various parties in both a formal capacity with formal letters and informally over the phone.
- To participate in appraisal and supervision meetings with line manager.
- To assist the MHL department in organising training.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To support the MH Legislation and Compliance Department and in doing so will ensure that the Mental Health Act and associated legislation is adhered to so that service users rights are protected.
- To act as the first point of contact for enquiries from service users and their Nearest Relatives. The post holder will be expected to work within standard operational procedures and will refer any enquiries to the appropriate personnel as necessary.
- To give information by letter with regard to detention under the Mental Health Act to service users and where appropriate their nearest relative.
- To provide reminders to Responsible Clinicians when statutory documentation is required.
- To provide reminders to Responsible Clinicians when sections are due to expire.
- To ensure that statutory documentation is accurate and available on the Electronic Patient Record (EPR).
- To maintain and update systems and spreadsheets including an Electronic Patient Record.
- To assist in the administrative tasks associated with Care Quality Commission (CQC) visits.
- To assist with the monitoring of use of the Community Treatment Order and the Consent to Treatment provisions.
- To support Hospital Managers and Tribunal Hearings.
- To develop and maintain an understanding and knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 and how this applies to the administration of the Act.
- To be actively engaged with team meetings and developmental opportunities.
Clinical Responsibility
- To ensure that Responsible Clinicians complete statutory documentation in respect of Section 58 and Section 62, (Consent to Treatment and treatment of urgent necessity) so that provision of medical treatment in respect of Mental Disorder is administered lawfully.
Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility
- No management responsibility however the post holder would be expected to support new staff in basic Mental Health Act procedures as and when required.
Financial Responsibility
- The post holder will be expected to monitor stocks of office stationery and request items where necessary.
Service Development and Improvement
- The post holder will follow policies in their own role and will be expected to comment on policy development.
Communications
- To ensure that systems in place to provide service users within the General Hospitals and Trust with information on the Mental Health Act are being used appropriately.
- To liaise with the Mental Health Leads at the general hospitals to ensure that all MHA detentions are recorded accurately and effective systems are in place to monitor detentions
- The post holder will be expected to communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders, including fellow colleagues within HPFT, external agencies and service users and their families.
- To liaise with relevant parties on issues relating to appeals whilst the service user is subject to a section order under the Act. Ensuring that all parties are aware of when hearings will take place and when relevant documentation should be available to the MH Law Officer.
- The Post holder will adhere at all times to Trust policies in relation to communication and confidentially, particularly in relation to service user information with third parties and family members.
- The post holder will be expected to communicate with various parties in both a formal capacity with formal letters and informally over the phone.
- To participate in appraisal and supervision meetings with line manager.
- To assist the MHL department in organising training.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING
Essential
- Educated to NVQIII level or equivalent relevant experience.
- Recent appropriate experience of office procedures and systems
- ECDL (or equivalent)
Desirable
- Knowledge of Mental Health Act and Code of Practice
- Certificate of Mental Health Law, Policy and Practice
- Proficient in use of Electronic Patient Record system.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE /SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Experience of working in a busy office environment
Desirable
- Experience in the application of the Mental Health Act
- Experience of Mental Health Act/Health Records administration.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Essential
- Proficient in use of Microsoft Office applications
- Experience of maintaining an efficient filing system, both paper and computer based.
- Ability to communicate information effectively
- Ability to provide information in an emphatic, reassuring manner to service users and, where appropriate, their relatives.
- Well-developed written skills
Desirable
- Ability to create PowerPoint presentations for training programmes.
ANALYTICAL SKILLS
Essential
- Able to prioritise work where there are conflicting deadlines
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING
Essential
- Educated to NVQIII level or equivalent relevant experience.
- Recent appropriate experience of office procedures and systems
- ECDL (or equivalent)
Desirable
- Knowledge of Mental Health Act and Code of Practice
- Certificate of Mental Health Law, Policy and Practice
- Proficient in use of Electronic Patient Record system.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE /SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Experience of working in a busy office environment
Desirable
- Experience in the application of the Mental Health Act
- Experience of Mental Health Act/Health Records administration.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Essential
- Proficient in use of Microsoft Office applications
- Experience of maintaining an efficient filing system, both paper and computer based.
- Ability to communicate information effectively
- Ability to provide information in an emphatic, reassuring manner to service users and, where appropriate, their relatives.
- Well-developed written skills
Desirable
- Ability to create PowerPoint presentations for training programmes.
ANALYTICAL SKILLS
Essential
- Able to prioritise work where there are conflicting deadlines
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).
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).
