Mental Health Law Assistant

PREVIOUS APPLICANTS/CANDIDATES NEED NOT APPLY

A full time opportunity has arisen in the Mental Health Law Team for a highly motivated, hard working and reliable individual to undertake administrative duties in relation to the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

This role is office based in the Oasis Building at Stepping Hill Hospital.

Applicants will have a strong clerical/secretarial/administrative background with competency in all aspects of office/administration procedures and ICT systems.

This is a varied, busy and demanding position which requires exceptional organisational and communication skills. Duties would include ensuring that all the statutory requirements under the various pieces of Mental Health Law legislation are carried out to the highest standard, working within and maintaining the operational systems including local procedures, standards and protocols.

We are looking for an experienced person with a mature and punctilious attitude who would have the confidence and expertise to deal with sensitive and confidential issues using their own initiative in a calm and empathic manner.

The Mental Health Law Assistant will be required to work under the support and direction of the Mental Health Law Administrator.

Knowledge of Mental Health legislation would be advantageous but not essential as full training will be provided to the right person.

Use of a car or access to a means of mobility is required for cross covering other sites within Pennine Care as and when required.

PREVIOUS APPLICANTS/CANDIDATES NEED NOT APPLY

A full time opportunity has arisen in the Mental Health Law Team for a highly motivated, hard working and reliable individual to undertake administrative duties in relation to the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

This role is office based in the Oasis Building at Stepping Hill Hospital.

Take responsibility in assisting the Mental Health Law Administrator to provide an efficient and effective administration of Mental Health legislation. Ensuring through the appropriate application of office standards, policies, procedures, protocols, checklists, associated Codes of Practice and the Reference Guide that the requirements of the Act are met and the interests of the patient are safeguarded.

Assist in ensuring that patients are only detained as the Act allows; that their treatment and care accords fully with its provisions and that they are fully informed of, and are supported in exercising their statutory rights.

In the absence of the Mental Health Law Administrator, responsible for all Mental Health Law administration duties, including the co-ordination and processing of Mental Health Tribunals and all Hospital Managers reviews of detentions and appeals within their relevant timescales.

Be able to work autonomously under the direction of the MHL Administrator, taking responsibility for the prioritisation of own work tasks and schedules, ensuring high level attention to detail and accuracy throughout all work tasks undertaken.

Key responsibilities as Mental Health Law Assistant

Complying with day to day office standards protocol and checklists at all times

Ensuring that all Mental Health Law related documentation is carefully and fully scrutinised and processed within the relevant timescales dictated by the Act and Trust Policies.

To carry out day to day administration of the Act under the direction of the MHL Administrator and to ensure that all appropriate procedures required by staff within the Trust have been communicated effectively and monitored for completion/action. Escalating any concerns in a failure to complete the procedures within the team and under the direction of the MHL Administrator to other team/ward managers as required and within a timely manner.

To receive and administratively scrutinise all MHA paperwork on behalf of the Trust which includes both statutory and non-statutory forms.

To ensure that section papers are all legally acceptable and to bring any possible irregularities or legal deficits to the attention of the Mental Health Law Administrator/ Co-ordinator/Mental Health Law Manager for action. This includes using/completing locally identified tools and checklists to complete this and returning paperwork to the relevant professionals for amendments under Section 15 of the MHA. Ensuring a record is maintained of all scrutiny issues to inform MHL processes within the Trust and monitor and track individual papers.

To ensure timely notification of detention dates/expiries/legal requirements to all appropriate professionals and the patients nearest relative as appropriate.

Registration on Paris, Mental Health Act recording systems and registers of information on all detained patients, cross referencing and updating files/data for total accuracy and recording any changes in legal status across the required systems.

To ensure all office procedures and…