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Mental Health Act Administrator

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are seeking to recruit a highly motivated and experienced full-time, Band 4 Mental Health Act Administrator to support in the provision of an effective Mental Health Act administration service within our busy Mental Health Act Team.

The focus of the Mental Health Act Team is on delivering both an efficient and effective service, ensuring that the Trust is fully compliant with the MHA 1983 and the Code of Practice 2015.

The successful candidate will be required to work as a team member and assist in the smooth running of the MHA Dept. The role will involve, amongst other duties; communicating and corresponding with patients and their relatives both in person, on the telephone, and by letter, scrutinisng legal documents to ensure that they are lawfully compliant, ensuring that accurate records are maintained, assisting to collate reports, and enabling the recording of data to be used to its maximum potential. In addition, the role involves communicating professionally both within BHFT and externally with partner organisations', including multi-disciplinary teams, advocates, solicitors, the Mental Health Tribunal Service, Care Quality Commission, the police and social services and other public bodies.

Main duties of the job

  • The post holder will be responsible for assisting in the legal administration of the Mental Health Act (MHA) 1983. This role requires a high degree of planning and organisational skills to meet specific and tight deadlines.
  • The post holder will be expected to work in the delivery of an efficient and fully compliant Mental Health Act service.
  • The role requires the ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with staff throughout the Trust as well as partner organisations.
  • To be available and to act as a resource to all professional staff seeking information/advice on the MHA 1983 and Code of Practice; and to know where to access information/advice if not known or unavailable, under the guidance of the Senior Mental Health Act Administrator.
  • The successful postholder will be based in Reading, at Prospect Park Hospital.
  • The hours of work for this role are full-time (37.5)

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

  • Caring for and about you is our top priority
  • Committed to providing good quality, safe services
  • Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

  • Flexible working options to support work-life balance
  • 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
  • Generous NHS pension scheme
  • Excellent learning and career development opportunities
  • 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
  • Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
  • Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
  • Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
  • Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
  • Free parking across Trust site

Date posted

24 February 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-MHS690

Job locations

Prospect Park Hospital

Honey End Lane

Reading

RG30 4EJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

The "must haves" for this role:

1. You must be highly organised and enjoy working in a busy office environment.

2. You must be willing to speak with patients and spend time with them on a face to face basis.

3. You must have previous Mental Health Act administrative experience and be adept at problem-solving.

4. You must have excellent computer skills and be able to work accurately.

5. You must be willing to learn and to show initiative.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Cassie Finnigan on 07929 185051 or email: cassie.finnigan@berkshire.nhs.uk who will be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The "must haves" for this role:

1. You must be highly organised and enjoy working in a busy office environment.

2. You must be willing to speak with patients and spend time with them on a face to face basis.

3. You must have previous Mental Health Act administrative experience and be adept at problem-solving.

4. You must have excellent computer skills and be able to work accurately.

5. You must be willing to learn and to show initiative.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Cassie Finnigan on 07929 185051 or email: cassie.finnigan@berkshire.nhs.uk who will be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • High standard of general education

Desirable

  • RSA or other relevant IT qualification
  • Administration qualification

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Evidence of continuous professional development
  • Willingness to learn new skills

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Minimum of two years previous experience of working in a busy office environment
  • Experience in Mental Health Act administration

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Demonstrable knowledge of the NHS and related organisations
  • Knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act
  • Good organisational skills and problem solving ability
  • Administration skills including experience of working with databases and spreadsheets
  • Fully conversant with Microsoft Office applications to include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access (RiO)
  • Demonstrable ability to work without supervision
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with service users
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
  • Ability to use own initiative to judge situations and plan ahead
  • Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels and build professional relationships across all departments and external agencies
  • Excellent organisational skills and methodical approach to work
  • Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise and work to specific and tight deadlines
  • Ability to work under pressure and to specific timescales
  • Innovative and motivated in approach to work
  • Confidentiality and sensitivity to issues with the ability to take account of the context of situations

Desirable

  • Ability to understand legal documentation

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • High standard of personal performance and professionalism

Desirable

  • Driving licence or able to travel between many Trust sites
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • High standard of general education

Desirable

  • RSA or other relevant IT qualification
  • Administration qualification

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Evidence of continuous professional development
  • Willingness to learn new skills

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Minimum of two years previous experience of working in a busy office environment
  • Experience in Mental Health Act administration

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Demonstrable knowledge of the NHS and related organisations
  • Knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act
  • Good organisational skills and problem solving ability
  • Administration skills including experience of working with databases and spreadsheets
  • Fully conversant with Microsoft Office applications to include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access (RiO)
  • Demonstrable ability to work without supervision
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with service users
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
  • Ability to use own initiative to judge situations and plan ahead
  • Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels and build professional relationships across all departments and external agencies
  • Excellent organisational skills and methodical approach to work
  • Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise and work to specific and tight deadlines
  • Ability to work under pressure and to specific timescales
  • Innovative and motivated in approach to work
  • Confidentiality and sensitivity to issues with the ability to take account of the context of situations

Desirable

  • Ability to understand legal documentation

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • High standard of personal performance and professionalism

Desirable

  • Driving licence or able to travel between many Trust sites

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Prospect Park Hospital

Honey End Lane

Reading

RG30 4EJ


Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Prospect Park Hospital

Honey End Lane

Reading

RG30 4EJ


Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Mental Health Act

Cassie Finnigan

cassie.finnigan@berkshire.nhs.uk

07929185051

Date posted

24 February 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-MHS690

Job locations

Prospect Park Hospital

Honey End Lane

Reading

RG30 4EJ


Supporting documents

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