Job description

Job responsibilities

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

About the teamThe Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT) supports people in secure settings before, during and after discharge, so they can move into the community at the right time. The team is mainly focused on service users at Brockfield House and other secure services. It covers the whole of Essex and is based at 2 Heath Close, Billericay. You will report to the Service Manager.

The team is moving towards a new model, with the service organised into three geographical teams across Essex and extended hours, including evening and weekend working, across 7 days. This is still under consultation, so the final team structure and shift pattern have not been agreed. The successful candidate will be expected to work flexibly within the model once it is in place.

Clinical

• Act as care coordinator for a small caseload, working with the multi-disciplinary team
• Take part in holistic assessments and write individual care plans with service users
• Complete risk assessments and risk management plans in line with EPUT policy, using forensic tools such as the HCR-20
• Attend inpatient reviews, case conferences and multi-professional meetings, and raise anything that could delay discharge as early as possible
• Support the MDT to discharge service users safely to the community, and help with readmission when it is needed
• Review care plans and check the quality of care, taking action where needed
• Provide evidence based interventions, including psycho-social interventions, as part of the team
• Monitor service users' mental and physical health in the community
• Make decisions and coordinate care in a crisis, getting advice from other professionals when needed
• Follow local and national guidance on ordering, carrying, giving, supervising and storing medication
• Keep clear, accurate and up to date clinical records

Mental Health Act and legislation

• Support service users, carers and colleagues through the Mental Health Act 1983, in particular the rules for conditionally discharged patients in the community
• Work within the Care Programme Approach, Mental Capacity Act, safeguarding and child protection guidance

Working with others

• Keep good communication about each service user with the agencies involved in their care
• Work with partners such as Recovery and Wellbeing teams, substance misuse services, accommodation providers and third sector organisations
• Share information correctly and keep it confidential when working with the Police, Probation, MAPPA and social services
• Work closely with families and carers, and involve service users and carers in developing the service
• Give advice on good mental and physical health to service users, carers and other professionals

Leadership and supervision

• Support and guide staff, and give management supervision where appropriate
• Act as Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor for students
• Help with the induction and training of staff and students
• Help with the day to day running of the team and act up for the Team Leader when they are absent
• Promote good integrated team working

Governance and development

• Contribute to clinical governance, quality assurance, audit and research within the team
• Take part in team meetings and suggest new ways of working
• Complete mandatory training, take part in appraisal and keep your own knowledge up to date
• You may be asked to join an on call rota

What we are looking for

• RMN with at least 12 months post-qualification experience, or a recognised Social Work qualification, or a degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy
• Evidence of post-qualification training
• At least 12 months' experience at Band 5
• Experience of care coordinating a group of service users and of assessing, planning, putting in place and evaluating care
• Good knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983, CPA, Mental Capacity Act, safeguarding and risk assessment
• Good written and verbal communication and IT skills
• Full UK driving licence and the ability to travel across Essex

Experience of working in secure environments, an HCR-20 qualification and knowledge of forensic and community services in Essex would be an advantage.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Mental Health Nurse with at least 12 months post-qualification experience, or recognised Social Work qualification, or degree/diploma in Occupational Therapy, with current registration
• Evidence of post-qualification training

Desirable

• HCR-20 qualification
• Certificate in CBT, solution focused or similar intervention

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983, including conditional discharge
• Knowledge of CPA, Mental Capacity Act, safeguarding, child protection and risk assessment
• Awareness of current mental health legislation and policy, and of leadership and supervision
• Knowledge of therapeutic interventions in the community and of MDT working, able to work on own initiative

Desirable

• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Knowledge of community and forensic services and partner organisations in Essex

Skills / Experience

Essential

• At least 12 months' experience at Band 5 or equivalent
• Experience of care coordinating a group of service users
• Good written and verbal communication, including complex information, and IT skills
• Leadership skills, able to inspire confidence and prioritise workload
• Able to build relationships and negotiate, with awareness of cultural needs

Desirable

• Experience of working in secure environments
• Experience of working in a community forensic mental health service
• Experience of acting as a Social Supervisor for conditionally discharged patients

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

2 Heath Close

Heath Close

Billericay

CM12 9NW

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)