Approved Mental Health Professional – Exeter & Central AMHP Team – Ref. 7337

This post is assigned to Devon Partnership NHS Trust within the daytime dedicated AMHP Service. This role links in with adult and children’s mental health services and is open to registered social workers, occupational therapists, mental health nurses or chartered psychologists currently approved (or eligible for approval) to practise as an AMHP. The post is full time, Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week (consideration will be given to part-time working and should be discussed at interview). These posts are open to qualified AMHPs and those individuals who are eligible to be considered for approval, subject to completing the necessary re-approval portfolio process.

Candidates must have the appropriate professional registration for their discipline and provide a registration number with their application. They must be able to provide evidence of their AMHP qualification and required post-qualifying AMHP refresher training as part of their application. We particularly welcome applications from black and minority ethnic people who are currently under-represented in our workforce. These posts are not open to those seeking a Trainee AMHP position or access to the AMHP training course.

The Devon AMHP Service is recognised as a national example of good practice and has been involved in the development of the AMHP National Service Standards and other initiatives related to the role. We are constantly seeking ways to improve our service, including how best to capture and utilise the voices of those that have experience of being assessed under the Mental Health Act and to further improve practice for the benefit of those who come into contact with our service. We are also committed to improving the service we offer in order to help address racial disparity in mental health services, as highlighted during 2018’s Review of the Mental Health Act. We are also committed to supporting the recommendations of Devon County Council’s Race Equality Audit.

The role of daytime AMHPs within Devon County Council has significantly changed in recent times. The primary work base will be Exeter but there will be an expectation to travel across the county and support all areas. Our AMHPs work more flexibly with internal and external partners to ensure a more robust response to those individuals who are at risk of being detained or restricted under the Mental Health Act. Along with frontline duty, our AMHPs routinely and proactively work with crisis teams, wards, community teams, street triage, police, CAMHS and other services to ensure the most appropriate legal response. In addition, our AMHPs will also have a small allocation of community MHA and social supervision patients with the aim of supporting those individuals and their treating teams with the management of those orders. There will be opportunities for a mixture of hybrid working to incorporate home and office-based working.

All AMHPs receive regular individual and peer group supervision and appraisal. Teams are supported to have regular team days. Successful candidates will be expected to contribute to both their own learning and that of others. Devon County Council also offers a programme of post-qualifying AMHP training in order to support your practice and ongoing approval as an AMHP. As a service, we are keen to support colleagues to find creative and interesting ways to share specialist AMHP knowledge and support the learning of those outside our team.

You will be a registered social worker, occupational therapist or mental health nurse with a proven commitment to professional development and experience of working with people in mental health crises. In particular, we are interested in those who are seeking to develop and improve themselves and AMHP services and are open to working flexibly and creatively wherever possible. You should hold current AMHP approval and be prepared to submit a portfolio to be re-approved in line with Devon County Council’s policies. You must be able to demonstrate an excellent appreciation and understanding of the European Convention of Human Rights, be committed to the principles of mental health legislation, with a strong focus on recovery principles and awareness of the impact mental disorder can have on an individual, their family, carers and supporters.

We are committed to your continuous professional development, doing all we can to help you to get the most from your career. You will receive excellent support and supervision, with regular opportunities to discuss and reflect on your practice, both with your line manager and peers. We offer 26 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays, rising incrementally to 31 days after 5 years’ service. Flexible working opportunities are available, these include part-time hours, flexitime, compressed working hours and homeworking (this is subject to the needs of the role – please discuss further at interview). Offer an opportunity to enter a generous Local Government Pension Scheme. As a place to live and work, Devon is hard to beat with top-performing schools, universities, vibrant cities, pretty villages and some of the most scenic coast and countryside in the UK. Living and working in Devon as an Approved Mental Health Professional has never been more attractive. If you are currently living, working or studying in the UK and are looking to relocate to Devon, subject to qualifying conditions and in exceptional circumstances, relocation support of up to £10,000 may be available. Visa sponsorship may also be offered as part of the relocation support package, terms and conditions apply. Please note: At this time, we are unable to consider overseas applications.

This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English. Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice. For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page. This role requires a DBS disclosure.