At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team managing the Mental Health Act office and support mental health professionals.
- Company: Join South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, a leader in mental health services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a key player in transforming mental health care and supporting those in need.
- Qualifications: NMC First Level Nurse registration or relevant degree; strong leadership and communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 58133 - 65261 £ per year.
This is an existing post for an experienced and charismatic leader with sound knowledge of the Mental Health Act who will take on the overall management of a very busy Mental Health Act office and formidable staff. As a team manager, you should have an in-depth understanding of mental health law and its implementation as you are sometimes the first point of call for advice from mental health professionals and nearest relatives. Due to challenges faced and the different roles and duties undertaken by the MHAO staff, the role requires someone who is disciplined, well-organised and has the ability to engage in difficult conversations.
The team has recently adopted a new way of working following the centralisation of the four local offices into one location at the Maudsley hospital. The team comprises one Band 7, two Band 6s, four Band 5s and eight Band 4s covering the newly created functional workstreams responsible for receiving and scrutinising patients' detentions and consent, co-ordinating mental health tribunal and Associate Managers hearings. You will directly line-manage team leaders, who in turn manage Band 5/4 coordinators, and you will be working alongside the Trust MCA lead and a B7 Service Level Agreement (SLA) support manager.
This role demands excellent verbal and written communication skills, as you will regularly engage with service users, carers, professionals, and external agencies, including solicitors and tribunal members. You will also contribute to the day-to-day supervision and appraisal of staff, as well as lead on the investigation of complaints and incidents.
You will need strong leadership abilities to effectively manage and support a team of experienced Mental Health Act Coordinators. As this is a high-performing team, you will be expected to maintain a positive, well-organised environment that supports both staff and the individuals who use our services, along with their carers and nearest relatives.
A solid understanding of clinical information systems is essential. You should be confident using databases, diaries, MHA deadline-tracking systems, spreadsheets, and Microsoft Office applications. The ability to interpret data and reports is a key requirement, as you will be responsible for providing each directorate with accurate updates on their compliance with the Mental Health Act.
About us: South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provides the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. There are very few organisations in the world that have such wide-ranging capabilities working with mental illness. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training.
SLaM employs around 5000 staff and serves a local population of 1.1 million people. We have more than 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient and community services. Currently, we provide inpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and treat more than 45,000 patients in the community in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; as well as substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.
Qualifications
- Current NMC First Level Nurse registration or degree level qualification in law or a health-related or social sciences discipline
- Evidence of post-graduate specialist training relevant to the role.
Experience
- Significant clinical or management experience
- Providing professional supervision to experienced staff and resolving departmental and cross-organisational disputes
- Project management skills
- Analysing complex sets of data and accurately reporting findings
- Administrating and co-ordinating the application and documentation of the MHA
Knowledge
- Mental Health legislation
- QI methodology, root cause analysis, process mapping & redesign techniques
- Requirements of NHS trusts, NHSE/I, CQC in mental health act compliance
- Knowledge of current reforms proposed in the MHA and implications for MH service providers
- Ability to use Trust information systems and IT packages
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.
Mental Health Act Team Manager in London employer: National health service
The London Ambulance Service NHS Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises patient safety and service improvement. With a strong commitment to employee development, including leadership training and apprenticeship programmes, staff are empowered to grow their skills while contributing to the health of London. The Trust's inclusive culture and focus on quality management ensure that employees feel valued and supported in their vital roles.
