Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.
Essex County Council's dedicated Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) Service is undergoing an exciting period of growth and transformation, and we are seeking experienced and motivated professionals to join our dynamic and supportive team.
Operating within a countywide hub-and-spoke model, the service plays a critical role in delivering high-quality Mental Health Act assessments and interventions for Essex residents. Significant investment has enabled the expansion of our daytime AMHP provision, and we are recruiting six new AMHP posts to help shape the future of the service.
As an AMHP Senior Social Worker, you will work within a fast-paced environment, providing professional leadership, coordinating complex assessments, and contributing to the continued development of an innovative and responsive service.
Working Pattern
This role offers a 37-hour condensed working week across four days, promoting a positive work-life balance. Part-time applicants can also be considered (pay will be pro rata'd in line with agreed hours).
The Service Operates On a Seven-day Rota (excluding Public Holidays), Including One Weekend In Four And Two Late Shifts Per Month FTE Equivalent. Shift Patterns Are
- 09:00 - 19:00 (Assessing)
- 08:00 - 19:00 (Co-ordinating)
- 13:00 - 22:00 (Late shift)
Although these are the standard working arrangements, there may be occasions when flexibility is required to meet the needs of the service.
There is an expectation that successful candidates will be based within a dedicated AMHP Hub base at Danbury, Chelmsford when undertaking coordination duties and will be able to travel across Essex as required.
About The Service
The AMHP Service accepts referrals seven days a week between 9:00am and 5:00pm. Outside of these hours, and public holidays the service is supported by the Essex Emergency Duty Service (EDS), ensuring a seamless countywide response to urgent mental health needs.
This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking service that is investing in its workforce and committed to delivering outstanding outcomes for people experiencing mental health crises.
The Role
The Approved Mental Health Professional Service has a unique position in ensuring compliance with the statutory functions imposed upon the Local Authority by the Mental Health Act. The service will be responsible for delivering the AMHP rota. The service will undertake statutory assessments, triaging initial enquiries in line with statutory duties.
As a Senior Social Worker, you will be passionate and experienced in demonstrating expert and effective practice in complex situations often in pressurized environments. You will be able to manage workloads and support colleagues with complex cases, with an ability to mitigate high levels of risk. You will work collaboratively with statutory and non-statutory/voluntary agencies ensuring a joined-up approach.
You will have significant experience of social work, modelling good practice, triaging mental health act referrals, prioritizing responses, giving direction to others and providing expert advice and guidance.
Additionally, You Will Be Responsible For
- Providing supervision, specialist advice and professional expertise for AMHPs contributing to the development of practice standards.
- Accountable for assessments you undertake under the Mental Health Act.
- Working within the statutory legal framework, policy and guidance and determining when the threshold for statutory intervention has been reached and to carry out and manage the process of MHA assessments, identifying least restrictive options and acting as an autonomous professional consistent with legal and statutory obligations.
- Managing a complex workload, maintaining accurate and timely data, reports and presentations as required.
- Carrying out, coordinating and managing the process of Mental Health Act assessments, consistent with legal and statutory obligations working flexibly and at times outside the core operating hours of the team in accordance with demand.
- Conducting assessments under the Mental Health Act 1983 and plan responses which safeguard vulnerable adults, including intervention as required that may be beyond normal operating hours.
- Working collaboratively with the deputy team manager to coordinate, triage and allocate the incoming referrals to the service supporting and directing the wider AMHPs on the rota and assisting to bring their work to a satisfactory conclusion.
- Building strong effective working relationships across the Council, with partners and members of voluntary agencies.
- Delivering a high level of expertise in particular areas of practice and interest and lead on those areas.
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AMHP Senior Social Worker in Chelmsford employer: Social Care Today
North Yorkshire Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the wellbeing and personal development of its staff. With a strong commitment to inclusive education, employees benefit from professional growth opportunities and collaborative partnerships with senior leaders and external organisations, all while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people with SEND in a picturesque North Yorkshire setting.
