Mental Health Act Manager

Job summary

This job is currently only open to people who already work for the NHS in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly.We are committed to supporting our dedicated staff, so only current employees of the following organisations can apply:

• Cornwall Foundation Trust
• Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
• Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board

If you do not currently work for one of these NHS organisations, your application will not be considered at this time.

The Mental Health Act Office Managers' role is to oversee effective systems of MHA administration are in place Trust-wide which ensure that patients' detentions are legally valid and their rights of appeal are upheld.

The role incorporates working closely with MHA administrators, providing clear and supportive leadership to the team. The role involves proactive, on-site, engagement with operational teams to ensure there is a focus on compliance with the MHA which puts the patient at the centre of the process.

Governance of the MHA is integral to the role: the MHA team undertake audits of compliance and reports findings to the Rights committee which seeks assurance that all services are committed to a process of quality assurance and improvement of MHA compliance.

This is an exciting time to joint the Trust as a MHA Office manager, particularly as we prepare for new legislation which will focus on modernising the MHA and give patients' greater choice and autonomy in their treatment and care.

Main duties of the job

As the Mental Health Act Manager, you will play a crucial role in ensuring all patients admitted under the Mental Health Act (MHA) are cared for in strict accordance with statutory legislation, the Code of Practice, National Guidelines, and regulations. You will provide expert guidance and support to clinical and non-clinical staff across all Trust services (Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Adult Community Services, and Children's Services) on the clinical application and administration of the MHA, Mental Capacity Act (MCA), and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). This position involves leading the MHA administration department, developing and delivering essential training, and ensuring the Trust's policies remain compliant with evolving legislation and case law. You will be instrumental in preparing for CQC inspections and actively participating in serious incident and clinical review processes related to MHA/MCA issues.

This is a role which requires regular on-site presence at our wards in Bodmin and Redruth.

About us

We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.

We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.

Over 4,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.

We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 13 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.

Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increases the numbers of people who use our services.