Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join a newly established Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MHCAS) within the First Response service, at a key stage in its development.
The MHCAS at Chester will be a 6-month pilot initially until 30th June, and provides a 24/7 voluntary, safe and comfortable setting for up to 4 informal patients to receive an extended assessment and decision-making service .
The MHCAS aims to reduce admissions to acute inpatient wards by conducting robust extended assessments for patients that are identified as requiring the acute care pathway.
Assessments are needs-based and intervention-focused with the main purpose of supporting the individual in the most appropriate setting.
MHCAS is underpinned by values of compassion, respect, collaboration, and person-centred care. As a new service, it offers a unique opportunity for Band 4 clinical support workers to contribute to shaping its culture, clinical pathways, and ways of working from the outset. The post holder will play an active role in embedding these values into day-to-day practice, ensuring individuals in crisis feel heard, supported, and treated with dignity and respect.
The post holder will work flexibly following the First Response model, supporting clinical colleagues to ensure individuals in crisis feel heard, supported, and treated with dignity.
Shortlisting for this vacancy is due to commence on 9th February and the proposed interview date is 26th February
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work as a Band 4 practitioner within a multi-disciplinary Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MHCAS), supporting the delivery of timely, high-quality care for individuals presenting in crisis. The role involves working under the direction and supervision of registered practitioners, contributing to assessment, engagement, risk management, and care planning.
Working as part of the Urgent Care Mental Health First Response model, the post holder will support service delivery across pathways, including Emergency Departments, Crisis Triage and Response Services (Crisis Line/First Response), Liaison Psychiatry, Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Teams, inpatient services, community teams, Street Triage, and Liaison and Diversion services.
The role requires flexible and fluid working across the First Response model, supporting effective system flow, reducing unnecessary Emergency Department waits, and promoting safe alternatives to admission where appropriate.
About us
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.
We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.
Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.
As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.
Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please download a copy of the job description (see documents to download section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.
At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.
CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.
An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please download a copy of the job description (see documents to download section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.
At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.
CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.
An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 3 in Health or social care, NVQ 3 Apprenticeship in health or social care- or equivalent qualification
- Evidence of training programme related to supporting people with mental health
- Trained in psychosocial interventions or willingness to undertake training
Desirable
- Honours degree in psychology Advanced IT and keyboard skills
- Related academic qualifications
Knowledge & Expertise
Essential
- An understanding of confidentiality issues and how they relate to mental health policy and practise interventions
- Sound knowledge of current professional staff development and continuous service improvement issues particularly in context to adult mental health services
- Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and implementation of anti discriminatory practise
- Demonstrate an understanding of care plans including risk management planning and safety plans
- Demonstrate an understanding of supervision
- Demonstrate knowledge of the support workers role within CPA
- The ability to communicate complex and sensitive information where barriers to understanding may exist for example requiring empathy and reassurance
- The ability to make judgments involving a range of facts or situations requiring analysis and comparison of a range of options also skills for assessing individuals on the phone
Desirable
- An understanding of a psychosocial approach
- Knowledge of mental health legislation and policies
- Ability to use spreadsheets databases for example excel access Evidence of having published in either peer review or academic or professional journals
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrate experience working in a mental health environment
- Previous experience working with adults and severe mental health
- Experience of partnership working with service users carers and other agencies
Desirable
- Experience of working within crisis settings
- Experience of working on support lines
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 3 in Health or social care, NVQ 3 Apprenticeship in health or social care- or equivalent qualification
- Evidence of training programme related to supporting people with mental health
- Trained in psychosocial interventions or willingness to undertake training
Desirable
- Honours degree in psychology Advanced IT and keyboard skills
- Related academic qualifications
Knowledge & Expertise
Essential
- An understanding of confidentiality issues and how they relate to mental health policy and practise interventions
- Sound knowledge of current professional staff development and continuous service improvement issues particularly in context to adult mental health services
- Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and implementation of anti discriminatory practise
- Demonstrate an understanding of care plans including risk management planning and safety plans
- Demonstrate an understanding of supervision
- Demonstrate knowledge of the support workers role within CPA
- The ability to communicate complex and sensitive information where barriers to understanding may exist for example requiring empathy and reassurance
- The ability to make judgments involving a range of facts or situations requiring analysis and comparison of a range of options also skills for assessing individuals on the phone
Desirable
- An understanding of a psychosocial approach
- Knowledge of mental health legislation and policies
- Ability to use spreadsheets databases for example excel access Evidence of having published in either peer review or academic or professional journals
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrate experience working in a mental health environment
- Previous experience working with adults and severe mental health
- Experience of partnership working with service users carers and other agencies
Desirable
- Experience of working within crisis settings
- Experience of working on support lines
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).
