Mental Health Practioner

To provide specialist community mental health practitioner input to the Community Forensic Team in Hertfordshire. This will include the provision of specialist knowledge regarding the management of complex cases, working in close liaison with the Consultant Forensic Psychiatrists and other members of the multi‑disciplinary team to coordinate the team’s input and act as a key professional in the assessment of individual care needs and the planning, implementation and review of appropriate care and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist knowledge regarding the management of complex cases and collaborate closely with Consultant Forensic Psychiatrists and other multidisciplinary team members.
• Coordinate and act as a key professional in the assessment, planning, implementation and review of individual care needs, risk management and treatment.
• Take a lead role in the care planning process and work within the Care Programme Approach, ensuring CFT and Trust policies are adhered to.
• Take a lead role and work with people who have more complex and challenging needs across the caseload.
• Provide specialist knowledge and advice to other agencies for public protection, including through MAPPA processes.
• Provide written reports in respect of Mental Health Tribunals as required.
• Act as a Social Supervisor for those people who remain subject to Mental Health Act restrictions while living out of hospital.
• Attend and contribute to team meetings, case conferences, ward rounds, and other relevant forums.
• Where professionally appropriate, be responsible for the safe transport and administration of medicines, including intramuscular injections.
• Provide specialist clinical advice across the Trust as required and liaise with community services, statutory and non‑statutory and inpatient services.

Qualifications

• Current professional registration with an approved professional body.
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Significant previous experience of working with service users with acute psychiatric disorders and complex mental health needs.
• Experience of managing a caseload.
• Experience of supervising staff and providing mentorship.
• Ability to undertake assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of treatment plans.
• Ability to prioritise work demands and be flexible.
• Proven skills in undertaking risk assessments and management plans.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, including IT literacy.
• An understanding and commitment to the principles of Recovery and social inclusion.
• An understanding of the role of health promotion and education with the client group.
• Ability to advocate for the service users who you are supporting.
• The ability to supervise and participate in providing teaching and training to other staff.

Desirable

• Post Graduate Diploma or training relevant to practice.
• Specific training in family work or other psychological approaches.
• Experience working with service users with forensic histories.
• Experience working with service users diagnosed with learning disability and/or neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Experience of working in assertive outreach, crisis or home treatment services.
• Lived experience of mental health challenges.
• In‑depth knowledge and skill related to a particular therapeutic intervention such as CBT, DBT, family work.
• Experience in group work and a thorough understanding of care planning and the Care Programme Approach (CPA).
• Knowledge of physical healthcare needs.
• Commitment to and understanding of evidence‑based practice.
• Knowledge of relevant NICE guidance.
• Understanding of the legislation relating to mental health care including the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Care Act, Children’s Act, Equality Act 2010.
• Aware of safeguarding issues and responsibilities under relevant legislation.
• Knowledge of the role of the Ministry of Justice and other criminal justice agencies.

About the Trust

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services, rated by the Care Quality Commission as ‘Outstanding’. It serves over 400,000 people across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Norfolk, delivering services in community and inpatient settings within the Trust’s statutory and non‑statutory framework.