Mental Health Practitioner, Band 6 Permanent - full time - 37.5 hours per week

We have some exciting opportunities for Band 6 Senior Practitioner for our Integrated Mental Health team at HMP Belmarsh contributing to the Mental Health service delivery in HMP Belmarsh. This is a newly created post following a service redesign. This post holder will be an expert practitioner, and a source of expert advice to the in-reach team, prison staff, & offenders with overall responsibility for the mental and physical health & well-being of offenders in their care, operational management and day-to-day leadership of the in-reach teams at HMP Belmarsh

We are seeking to appoint a qualified RMN with at least 3 years post qualifying experience in any of the following areas:-

• Learning Disability
• Personality Disorder
• Substance Misuse/Dual Diagnosis
• Mentally Disordered Offenders

In addition to the above an in-depth knowledge of the Care Programme Approach and at least 2 years' experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team is required. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate excellent communication skills both written and verbal and an understanding of the Mental Health Act 1983 and in particular management of patients within secure locations. Experience in prisons would be advantageous.

The successful post holder will be required to pass all prison security including CTC clearance.

Main duties of the job

To provide specialist mental health care to offenders and to work as part of an integrated and multi-disciplinary mental health and service which may include in-reach services, Reception duties, resource centre services, complex case management

To deliver a range of specialist interventions at primary and secondary care level

To contribute to alternatives to the need for inpatient admission and where necessary assisting with early discharge from in-patient services through the implementation of high intensity specialist interventions and complex case management arrangements resulting in continuity of care for an offender on ordinary location, reduced length of stay (both in relation to prison inpatient services and external NHS or independent in-patient services).

To perform robust assessment, screening and interventions to offenders with mental health

About us

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust offers a wide range of NHS healthcare services to people living in South East London and Kent and to people in prison. Our services include community health care such as district nursing and speech and language therapy, care for people with learning disabilities and mental health care such as psychiatry, nursing and therapies. Our multidisciplinary teams look after people of all ages and we work in close partnership with other parts of the NHS, local councils and the voluntary sector and through our new provider collaboratives. Our 4,000 members of staff work in many different settings including hospitals, clinics, prisons, children's centres, schools and people's homes. We have over 125 sites in a variety of locations across the London Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley Greenwich and into Kent and manage hospital sites including Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup and Memorial Hospital in Woolwich as well as the Bracton Centre, our medium secure unit for people with mental health needs. We are one of the largest providers of prison health services providing healthcare to prisoners across Kent and South London. We are proud of the care we provide and our people

Our purpose is to improve lives by providing the best possible care to our patients and their families. This is strengthened by our new values:

• We're Kind
• We're Fair
• We Listen
• We Care

Job description Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To provide specialist mental health care to offenders and to work as part of an integrated and multi-disciplinary mental health and service which may include in-reach services, Reception duties, resource centre services, complex case management

• To deliver a range of specialist interventions at primary and secondary care level; to include:
  • Referral management, screening assessment, triage and evidence-based interventions
  • One-to-one and group-work facilitation
  • assertive outreach interventions
  • managing a mixed and challenging caseload

• To contribute to alternatives to the need for inpatient admission and where necessary assisting with early discharge from in-patient services through the implementation of high intensity specialist interventions and complex case management arrangements resulting in continuity of care for an offender on ordinary location, reduced length of stay (both in relation to prison inpatient services and external NHS or independent in-patient services).

• To perform robust assessment, screening and interventions to offenders with mental health
• Ensure that all waiting time, assessment and interventions are delivered in a timely manner, and positively contribute to the achievement of the services performance targets

• Ensure integrated and collaborative working with other specialist services, including continuity of care and through the gate arrangements and liaison

• Work closely with community mental health teams (CMHTs) to ensure appropriate sharing of information, continuity of care and the Care Programme Approach (CPA) for all offenders as necessary.

• To provide comprehensive and timely reports and mental health expertise to multi agency public protection panels (MAPPA), police, probation services, solicitors and court liaison teams as directed.

• Provide supervision to junior staff and to receive supervision as directed (line management and clinical).

• To participate in resource centre services as directed, delivering psychological therapy and specialist activities under the direction of the clinical lead.

• To work in a psychologically minded way with offenders in achieving their agreed goals and quality health outcomes.

• No direct budgetary responsibility, but must be aware of the financial impact of decision-making.

• Close working relationships with all prison and Serco staff, to include participation in sentence planning, resettlement, safer custody and ACCT processes.

• To develop and take on a specialist lead role as appropriate, and provide peer support and training in this area.

• To contribute towards support, advice, consultation and training for other prison departments.

COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• To communicate effectively on a range of issues that are often complex in their nature and in complex situations.

• Participate in the annual appraisal reviews and demonstrate reflective practice through the Knowledge and Skills Framework

• To maintain comprehensive and timely electronic clinical records ensuring confidentiality is maintained at all times.

• Provide supervision, mentorship & leadership for junior staff.

• Be mindful of the unpredictable nature of the working environment, the job requirement and offender groups.

• Take all necessary care in the working environment, adhering to relevant health and safety policies.

• Participate and positively contribute to the services integrated clinical governance arrangements

• Carry out administrative tasks as directed including research, audit, data and activity statistics.

CHALLENGES

To work positively and effectively in a difficult environment where the need for safe and secure containment may often challenge access to services and provision of quality mental health services

The post-holder will be expected to work within the established prison regimes.

To understand the complexity of inter-agency involvement in offender welfare and to resolve issues that may occur across organisational boundaries.

Person Specification person specifications Essential

• 1.RMN (current registration) Ability to pass all prisons security clearances
• 2.2 years post qualification experience

Desirable

• Experience working in Prison

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

277-4428163-BEL