It is an extraordinary time for specialist perinatal mental health services across the UK with growing national and local focus on service development and expanding access for new and expectant mums. The national ambition is to improve outcomes for an increasing number women over a 5-year period through investment in resources and broadening of interventions available. The perinatal period includes from conception up until one year following the birth of the baby and is a critical time for prevention and treatment for women at risk of serious mental ill health. Providing a unique opportunity for intervention and change, improving outcomes for mums, their families and ultimately society, in the longer term.

This is a wonderful development opportunity for experienced RMN, OT or social worker interested in perinatal mental health and wishing to develop specialist knowledge and practice in this rewarding field. We significantly invest in our perinatal practitioners to foster expertise in our team providing specialist training packages and development opportunities in line with emerging evidence and standards for parental mental illness. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and interest in mental health in the perinatal period together with knowledge of child and adult safeguarding practice. Good communication, collaborative partnership working, time management and planning skills are essential. Some previous experience of working with this group would be an advantage

Main duties of the job

The Perinatal Mental Health Practitioner will work as a member of the Perinatal Mental Health Service. The post holder will manage a defined caseload of service users experiencing moderate to severe perinatal mental health problems, and those with pre-existing severe mental health diagnoses to reduce perinatal risk and maintain stability in this vulnerable period for women's mental health. They will undertake holistic community assessments with a strong emphasis on the parent-infant relationship and safeguarding.

The post holder will offer a variety of therapeutic interventions including supportive therapy, psychosocial interventions, specialist medication advice and problem solving techniques. In addition the post holder will be expected to offer both support and advice to carers and relatives, and to work in an integrated manner with key partner organisations and professionals. The post holder will be required to provide consultative advice to other agencies, and to participate in delivering training and development for other professionals.

The post holder will contribute to facilitating the transformation of the perinatal service to meet best practice standards including NICE Guidelines Antenatal and Postnatal Mental Health (2014) and Royal College of Psychiatrist Quality Network Standards.

About us

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Open, Compassionate and Empowering. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;

Benefits:

• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
• The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
• Buying and Selling annual leave scheme

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description for a more detailed description of the key responsibilities of the job

The Essex Perinatal Mental Health Service operates from five hubs across Essex the hubs are situated around the 5 acute hospitals. The bases are in the areas of Rochford, Laindon, Harlow, Chelmsford and Colchester and provide specialist assessment, interventionfor womenat risk ofmoderate to serious mental illness or complex disorders within thecounty of Essex. The successful candidate will be based at a hub and work from either the North or South facing Essex service providing care as a perinatal Practitioner, holding a caseload for women and their families in the perinatal period of conception up until one year following the birth of the baby.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• RMN qualification and evidence of current registration on Part 3 of NMC register OR Certificate of qualification in Social Work/ Diploma or Degree in Social Work. E.g. DipSW , Ba Social work OR Diploma or BSC(Hons) In Occupational Therapy
• fluent in speaking and written English

Desirable

• 2 years post qualified
• perinatal case working or knowledge of perinatal
• experience of working in the community
• Evidence of continuous study

Qualifications Essential

• RMN qualification and evidence of current registration on Part 3 of NMC register OR Certificate of qualification in Social Work/ Diploma or Degree in Social Work. E.g. DipSW , Ba Social work OR Diploma or BSC(Hons) In Occupational Therapy

Desirable

• community working experience
• evidence of professionals development

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

364-A-4551