AMHP

Job responsibilities

Locality:

Mental Health and Wellbeing Services

Job Description

The post holder is required to discharge statutory duties under the Mental Health Act.

Job Title:

Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)

Pay Band:

Band 7 (AfC)

Base and Service:

Crownhill Court, Plymouth, Tailyour Road, Plymouth, PL5 6DH AMHP Duty Team; also includes the Joint Response Unit vehicle base from Crownhill Police Station.

24/7 working pattern.

+ home working (hybrid working)

Reports to (Line Manager):

A Mental Health Service Manager

Accountable to (Professionally/Managerially):

A Mental Health Service Manager

Dimensions and Context of Role:

Approved Mental Health Professionals carry out statutory assessments on behalf of the local authority under the Mental Health Act. The post holder will work within the AMHP team.

In addition to undertaking their specific statutory responsibilities under the Mental Health Act they will contribute to the overall work of the team (ie supporting people with complex mental health difficulties).

The role also contributes to the overall organisational remit of supporting people with complex mental health difficulties (eg. Care Act Assessments, Best Interest Assessments ect.).

Livewells AMHPs provide the mental health professional input to Plymouths Joint Response Unit (JRU) vehicle; this involves working (on a rota basis) alongside our Police colleagues during the evenings providing acute assessment and care and support to people experiencing mental health crisis in the community (responding in a marked response vehicle). The postholder will participate in the JRU rota and contribute to this innovative service.

There will be a requirement to work across a 24/7 shift pattern and will include taking part in an on-call rota.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities of the Post:

In addition to contributing to an AMHP duty rota undertaking Mental Health Act Assessments and associated duties and responsibilities, the post holder will also undertake AMHP statutory responsibilities in relation to: Nearest Relative issues; Community Treatment Orders; Guardianship Orders; and also completing and presenting Mental Health Tribunal Social Circumstances Reports.

The post holder will also undertake the Social Supervision role for people who are subject to conditional discharge from the MoJ.

The post holder will also contribute to the Joint Response Unit vehicle rota and work closely with our First Response Service and wider Livewell Services providing clinical advice, guidance, support and undertaking joint mental health crisis assessments.

Due to the nature of the AMHP role there is a need to work flexibly which may sometimes include working beyond normal working hours to complete MHAAs and occasional out of area working. There will be a requirement to work across a 24/7 shift pattern and being part of the on-call rota.

8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL POSTS

The post holder is required to comply with all relevant policies and procedures pertinent to their post. Current versions can be found on the intranet or via your manager. The areas listed below are those Livewell Southwest currently places particular emphasis on. Failure to follow correct policies and procedures may result in disciplinary action.

8.1 Risk Management

In accordance with the Risk Management Strategy, employees will participate, whenever required, with the risk management process. They will support line managers by attending mandatory and statutory training, completing incident/accident forms for every adverse event or near miss that occurs, report all defects and complaints, and communicate any dangerous situation to individuals potentially at risk.

8.2 Health and Safety at Work

You must co-operate with those in authority and others in meeting the statutory requirements and in following policies and procedures. A copy of the Health and Safety Policy is available from the intranet or from the Risk Management Department.

You are reminded that in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 you have a duty to take reasonable care to avoid injury to yourself and to others affected by your work activities.

You will be notified where your post carries a requirement for immunisation.

You may be required to be able to undertake physical intervention training and participate in physical intervention as part of a physical intervention team and Basic Life Support (BLS).

8.3 Infection Control

Livewell Southwest is determined to eradicate healthcare-acquired infection and puts a great deal of emphasis on the responsibility of all staff to ensure their own personal and others compliance with Infection Control (including Hand Washing) Policies. All staff must comply with infection control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager (if no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate their concerns to the Director of Operations or Chief Executives Office).

8.4 Safeguarding Children and Adults

All employees have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults and are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards their health and wellbeing. Familiarisation with and adherence to national and local safeguarding adults and children policies is an essential requirement upon all employees. Livewell Southwest has specific safeguarding policies and in addition, employees also have a responsibility to practice and work within the multi-agency policy developed by the Safeguarding Adults Board and the Safeguarding Children Board. Staff are also required to participate in related mandatory/statutory training.

8.5 Research

For clinical posts at bands 5 and 6, there is an expectation that engagement in research will be part of this role. Therefore, an awareness of the value and relevance of research is expected and the post holder should either support existing research within their specialty area as appropriate or identify opportunities to raise awareness of research possibilities. For clinical posts at band 7 and above, the post holder will be required to actively participate in complex audits using research methodology, or participate as required in clinical trials or equipment testing, and will demonstrate high level involvement in local ongoing research projects.

8.6 Sustainability and climate change

All staff are expected to take responsibility for the reduction of carbon emissions within their area of the organisation. In particular this may relate to reducing energy consumption, making low carbon travel choices, consideration of goods and services being purchased, and waste reduction.

8.7 Other

This Job Description is not exhaustive and may change as the post develops, but such change will not take place without consultation between the post holder and their manager. Job descriptions should be reviewed at least annually at the appraisal meeting.

The Working Time Regulations apply to all employees of Livewell Southwest. In particular, Livewell Southwest will not permit staff in all employments to work in excess of 48 hours in any one week except where there are exceptional service needs where an absolute limit of averaging over a reference period of 17 weeks would apply.

Livewell Southwest has adopted NO SMOKING and NO ALCOHOL policies for staff, which applies to all posts. Details of the policy are available on request and will be included in the statement of main terms and conditions of service of staff appointed.

Signature (manager): Gareth Benjamin Date: 22/01/26

Qualifications

Essential

• Current professional registration with relevant professional body (occupational therapist, psychologist, nurse or social worker).
• Successful completion of AMHP training.
• Post approval training record (covering 18 hours for each 12 month approved).

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of Mental Health legislation, codes of practice and other legislation.
• Knowledge of Mental Capacity Act legislation and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards processes
• Knowledge of the Care Act.
• Knowledge and experience of evidence based interventions, risk assessment and crisis work.
• Knowledge of mental illness, disorder and psychiatric medication.
• Knowledge of drug and alcohol related issues.

Desirable

• Extensive knowledge of Mental Health legislation, codes of practice and other legislation associated with the role.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of coordinating and carrying out Mental Health Act Assessments in a range of settings.
• Experience of preparing and presenting social circumstances reports to MHRTs.
• Experience of carrying out assessments under the Mental Capacity Act.
• Experience of working in a mental health service and/or setting.
• Experience of working with a range of adults experiencing mental health crisis/difficulties.

Desirable

• Experience of the Social Supervision role.
• Experience of carrying out assessments under the Care Act framework.

Skills

Essential

• Excellent assessment skills.
• An ability to communicate effectively with a range of people, in a variety of situations and settings.
• Negotiation skills particularly with reference to reaching agreements with key partners, including the patient, medical practitioners and other providers, to secure safe alternatives to hospital admission.
• Report writing an ability to record accurate, concise and legally defensible records.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other colleagues and team members, towards the goals of the team.

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 UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, 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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).