Senior Mental Health Practitioner inStockport inStockport PUBLISHED 28 MAY 2024

Pennine Care NHS FT rBoxRRq

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Understanding of current mental health legislation, Safe Guarding and Child Protection Legislation.

Job summary

The Access Team is a busy and fast-paced service that provides a single point of entry and first level gate keeping into mental health services in Stockport. We screen and triage all referrals into the service. We undertake telephone triages, urgent and routine face to face assessments and onward referral to the most appropriate service, getting people the right care, at the right time and by the right service.

Main duties of the job

You will undertake comprehensive assessments of the health and social care needs of individuals who are referred to the service, in addition to comprehensive risk assessments. You will also coordinate assessment clinics and prioritise appointments. No one day is the same and you will need a flexible, creative and supportive approach within the team.

Following assessment you will be responsible for identifying appropriate management plans, follow up care, referrals and fast tracking of patients into specialist services.

As a senior mental health practitioner you will offer support and guidance to junior members of staff on the team.

About us

The Team operates from Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

The Access Team works closely with Healthy Minds, The Transition Team and other internal and external providers; such as the Stockport Prevention Alliance, Open Door and the Safe Haven.

Staff are expected to participate in the overall development of the service, ensuring that the principles of Clinical Governance underpin all developments.

It is expected that you will deliver care in accordance with all Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust policies and procedures, the Mental Health Act and community care legislation.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties & Responsibilities

To participate in the duty worker rotation
To participate in the triage process of new referrals to the service.
To carry out thorough assessment of service users current mental health problems and individual needs, including a risk assessment.
To develop individualised packages of care for service users with mental health problems, including signposting where necessary, within the stepped care model (NICE, 20, Fair Access to Care Services and the Care Programme Approach.
To identify the need for protection in line with safeguarding children and the Protection of Vulnerable Adult Policy and to comply with statutory obligations.
To liaise and negotiate with other professions, statutory and independent agencies to ensure the best possible service is provided to service users and carers and to appropriately signpost to other agencies.
To assist service users to effectively manage their emotional distress, using psychological evidence-based interventions.
To promote medication concordance through medication follow-up, where appropriate.
To evaluate systematically and record, outcomes of mental health interventions, adapting care on the basis of these evaluations.
To provide education and appropriate self-help resources to patients specific to individual needs.
To keep and store up to date written records and follow appropriate Pennine Care policies.
To participate in audit of the primary care mental health service if requested.
To provide supervision/mentorship to the junior primary care mental health workers and students.
To utilise managerial and clinical supervision to ensure that care and treatment are tailored to service users, family and community needs; that learning needs are identified and acted upon to ensure professional and personal development.
To work with individuals from diverse backgrounds in a culturally sensitive manner.
To participate in improving access and liaison activities within the Stockport Community.
To improve liaison with Stockport GPs and other agencies.
To attend and participate in regular departmental and governance meetings.
To take a lead role in project and developmental work within the department.

Please see attached job description and person specification to support your application for this post. Please refer to the essential criteria in the person specification which will highlight the skills, knowledge and experience you will need to demonstrate in your application, by way of example, to give yourself the best opportunity to be shortlisted.

Job description
Job responsibilities

Main Duties & Responsibilities

To participate in the duty worker rotation
To participate in the triage process of new referrals to the service.
To carry out thorough assessment of service users current mental health problems and individual needs, including a risk assessment.
To develop individualised packages of care for service users with mental health problems, including signposting where necessary, within the stepped care model (NICE, 20, Fair Access to Care Services and the Care Programme Approach.
To identify the need for protection in line with safeguarding children and the Protection of Vulnerable Adult Policy and to comply with statutory obligations.
To liaise and negotiate with other professions, statutory and independent agencies to ensure the best possible service is provided to service users and carers and to appropriately signpost to other agencies.
To assist service users to effectively manage their emotional distress, using psychological evidence-based interventions.
To promote medication concordance through medication follow-up, where appropriate.
To evaluate systematically and record, outcomes of mental health interventions, adapting care on the basis of these evaluations.
To provide education and appropriate self-help resources to patients specific to individual needs.
To keep and store up to date written records and follow appropriate Pennine Care policies.
To participate in audit of the primary care mental health service if requested.
To provide supervision/mentorship to the junior primary care mental health workers and students.
To utilise managerial and clinical supervision to ensure that care and treatment are tailored to service users, family and community needs; that learning needs are identified and acted upon to ensure professional and personal development.
To work with individuals from diverse backgrounds in a culturally sensitive manner.
To participate in improving access and liaison activities within the Stockport Community.
To improve liaison with Stockport GPs and other agencies.
To attend and participate in regular departmental and governance meetings.
To take a lead role in project and developmental work within the department.

Please see attached job description and person specification to support your application for this post. Please refer to the essential criteria in the person specification which will highlight the skills, knowledge and experience you will need to demonstrate in your application, by way of example, to give yourself the best opportunity to be shortlisted.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

RMN/RNMH/Social Worker equivalent
Completion of Preparation for Mentorship / Practice Teacher / Fieldwork Educator qualification or willingness to complete
Evidence of on-going CPD

Desirable

Degree - or working towards completion.
Non-medical prescribing qualification
Formal teaching qualification.
Further training in brief psychosocial interventions.

Experience

Essential

Significant post registration experience.
Proven experience of working with clients with complex needs.
Experience of working with individuals who present to mental health services in crisis and have symptoms of mental health illness
Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams.
Experience of providing supervision to junior staff

Desirable

Primary care mental health work experience
Experienced in the use of outcome measures such as CORE, PHQ9 and GAD7
Experience of working with a psychological model of care
Experience of triaging referrals.

Knowledge

Essential

Understanding of current mental health legislation, Safe Guarding and Child Protection Legislation
Awareness of NICE Guidance in the treatment of mental health problems and knowledge of treatments and interventions appropriate for individuals with mental health needs
Understanding of confidentiality and data protection issues.
Knowledge of psychosocial assessment and risk assessment/management processes

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Comprehensive mental health and risk assessment skills.
Ability to construct effective packages of care and risk management plans
Ability to deliver a range of evidence based interventions.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Comprehensive I.T Skills
Ability to form productive working relationships with service users, carers and multi-disciplinary staff
Good organisational and prioritisation skills.

Desirable

Skills in planning, delivery and evaluation of training
Skills in the area of audit or research

Person Specification
Education / Qualifications

Essential

RMN/RNMH/Social Worker equivalent
Completion of Preparation for Mentorship / Practice Teacher / Fieldwork Educator qualification or willingness to complete
Evidence of on-going CPD

Desirable

Degree - or working towards completion.
Non-medical prescribing qualification
Formal teaching qualification.
Further training in brief psychosocial interventions.

Experience

Essential

Significant post registration experience.
Proven experience of working with clients with complex needs.
Experience of working with individuals who present to mental health services in crisis and have symptoms of mental health illness
Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams.
Experience of providing supervision to junior staff

Desirable

Primary care mental health work experience
Experienced in the use of outcome measures such as CORE, PHQ9 and GAD7
Experience of working with a psychological model of care
Experience of triaging referrals.

Knowledge

Essential

Understanding of current mental health legislation, Safe Guarding and Child Protection Legislation
Awareness of NICE Guidance in the treatment of mental health problems and knowledge of treatments and interventions appropriate for individuals with mental health needs
Understanding of confidentiality and data protection issues.
Knowledge of psychosocial assessment and risk assessment/management processes

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Comprehensive mental health and risk assessment skills.
Ability to construct effective packages of care and risk management plans
Ability to deliver a range of evidence based interventions.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Comprehensive I.T Skills
Ability to form productive working relationships with service users, carers and multi-disciplinary staff
Good organisational and prioritisation skills.

Desirable

Skills in planning, delivery and evaluation of training
Skills in the area of audit or research

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 .

From 6 April 2, 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. .
UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Additional information
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 .

From 6 April 2, 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. .
UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Employer details

Employer name

Pennine Care NHS FT
Address

Stepping Hill Hospital

Poplar Grove

Stockport

SK2 7JE

Employer's website

To participate in the duty worker rotation
To participate in the triage process of new referrals to the service.
To carry out thorough assessment of service users current mental health problems and individual needs, including a risk assessment.
To develop individualised packages of care for service users with mental health problems, including signposting where necessary, within the stepped care model (NICE, 20, Fair Access to Care Services and the Care Programme Approach.
To identify the need for protection in line with safeguarding children and the Protection of Vulnerable Adult Policy and to comply with statutory obligations.
To liaise and negotiate with other professions, statutory and independent agencies to ensure the best possible service is provided to service users and carers and to appropriately signpost to other agencies.
To assist service users to effectively manage their emotional distress, using psychological evidence-based interventions.
To promote medication concordance through medication follow-up, where appropriate.
To evaluate systematically and record, outcomes of mental health interventions, adapting care on the basis of these evaluations.
To provide education and appropriate self-help resources to patients specific to individual needs.
To keep and store up to date written records and follow appropriate Pennine Care policies.
To participate in audit of the primary care mental health service if requested.
To provide supervision/mentorship to the junior primary care mental health workers and students.
To utilise managerial and clinical supervision to ensure that care and treatment are tailored to service users, family and community needs; that learning needs are identified and acted upon to ensure professional and personal development.
To work with individuals from diverse backgrounds in a culturally sensitive manner.
To participate in improving access and liaison activities within the Stockport Community.
To improve liaison with Stockport GPs and other agencies.
To attend and participate in regular departmental and governance meetings.
To take a lead role in project and developmental work within the department.

To participate in the duty worker rotation
To participate in the triage process of new referrals to the service.
To carry out thorough assessment of service users current mental health problems and individual needs, including a risk assessment.
To develop individualised packages of care for service users with mental health problems, including signposting where necessary, within the stepped care model (NICE, 20, Fair Access to Care Services and the Care Programme Approach.
To identify the need for protection in line with safeguarding children and the Protection of Vulnerable Adult Policy and to comply with statutory obligations.
To liaise and negotiate with other professions, statutory and independent agencies to ensure the best possible service is provided to service users and carers and to appropriately signpost to other agencies.
To assist service users to effectively manage their emotional distress, using psychological evidence-based interventions.
To promote medication concordance through medication follow-up, where appropriate.
To evaluate systematically and record, outcomes of mental health interventions, adapting care on the basis of these evaluations.
To provide education and appropriate self-help resources to patients specific to individual needs.
To keep and store up to date written records and follow appropriate Pennine Care policies.
To participate in audit of the primary care mental health service if requested.
To provide supervision/mentorship to the junior primary care mental health workers and students.
To utilise managerial and clinical supervision to ensure that care and treatment are tailored to service users, family and community needs; that learning needs are identified and acted upon to ensure professional and personal development.
To work with individuals from diverse backgrounds in a culturally sensitive manner.
To participate in improving access and liaison activities within the Stockport Community.
To improve liaison with Stockport GPs and other agencies.
To attend and participate in regular departmental and governance meetings.
To take a lead role in project and developmental work within the department.

Please see attached job description and person specification to support your application for this post. Please refer to the essential criteria in the person specification which will highlight the skills, knowledge and experience you will need to demonstrate in your application, by way of example, to give yourself the best opportunity to be shortlisted.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

RMN/RNMH/Social Worker equivalent
Completion of Preparation for Mentorship / Practice Teacher / Fieldwork Educator qualification or willingness to complete
Evidence of on-going CPD

Desirable

Degree - or working towards completion.
Non-medical prescribing qualification
Formal teaching qualification.
Further training in brief psychosocial interventions.

Experience

Essential

Significant post registration experience.
Proven experience of working with clients with complex needs.
Experience of working with individuals who present to mental health services in crisis and have symptoms of mental health illness
Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams.
Experience of providing supervision to junior staff

Desirable

Primary care mental health work experience
Experienced in the use of outcome measures such as CORE, PHQ9 and GAD7
Experience of working with a psychological model of care
Experience of triaging referrals.

Knowledge

Essential

Understanding of current mental health legislation, Safe Guarding and Child Protection Legislation
Awareness of NICE Guidance in the treatment of mental health problems and knowledge of treatments and interventions appropriate for individuals with mental health needs
Understanding of confidentiality and data protection issues.
Knowledge of psychosocial assessment and risk assessment/management processes

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Comprehensive mental health and risk assessment skills.
Ability to construct effective packages of care and risk management plans
Ability to deliver a range of evidence based interventions.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Comprehensive I.T Skills
Ability to form productive working relationships with service users, carers and multi-disciplinary staff
Good organisational and prioritisation skills.

Desirable

Skills in planning, delivery and evaluation of training
Skills in the area of audit or research

Person Specification
Education / Qualifications

Essential

RMN/RNMH/Social Worker equivalent
Completion of Preparation for Mentorship / Practice Teacher / Fieldwork Educator qualification or willingness to complete
Evidence of on-going CPD

Desirable

Degree - or working towards completion.
Non-medical prescribing qualification
Formal teaching qualification.
Further training in brief psychosocial interventions.

Experience

Essential

Significant post registration experience.
Proven experience of working with clients with complex needs.
Experience of working with individuals who present to mental health services in crisis and have symptoms of mental health illness
Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams.
Experience of providing supervision to junior staff

Desirable

Primary care mental health work experience
Experienced in the use of outcome measures such as CORE, PHQ9 and GAD7
Experience of working with a psychological model of care
Experience of triaging referrals.

Knowledge

Essential

Understanding of current mental health legislation, Safe Guarding and Child Protection Legislation
Awareness of NICE Guidance in the treatment of mental health problems and knowledge of treatments and interventions appropriate for individuals with mental health needs
Understanding of confidentiality and data protection issues.
Knowledge of psychosocial assessment and risk assessment/management processes

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Comprehensive mental health and risk assessment skills.
Ability to construct effective packages of care and risk management plans
Ability to deliver a range of evidence based interventions.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Comprehensive I.T Skills
Ability to form productive working relationships with service users, carers and multi-disciplinary staff
Good organisational and prioritisation skills.

Desirable

Skills in planning, delivery and evaluation of training
Skills in the area of audit or research

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