Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) – Out of Hours AMHP Service (Ref.4961)

We are seeking full time Approved Mental Health Professionals (Part Time Applications Considered) to join our Exeter Team

About us

Following our new innovative in-house re-design, we are really excited to announce that we will be launching a new pioneering model for our out-of-hours services in Devon County Council.

The Devon County Council out-of-hours AMHP Service provides an essential response to urgent requests for assessments under the Mental Health Act. This involves triaging and prioritising workloads to make decisions on carrying out assessments in line with Devon County Councils statutory responsibilities.

This new specialist out-of-hours AMHP service will work alongside a separate Emergency Duty Service (EDS), which responds to Children and Adult referrals in an out-of-hours joint social care team.

This revised service was introduced in November 2022. It involves implementing specialist service models for our three core EDS services (Adults, Childrens and Mental Health), which will provide an improved, streamlined way of partnership working.

This initiative includes significant new investment and staffing levels to ensure improvements to the service we provide to those people living in Devon. The increase in the number of AMHPs, and the introduction of AMHP managers working out-of-hours, will provide a more supportive environment to work in, and a greater capacity to manage the increasing demand for this essential service.

Rota Pattern

Post holder will work an 8-week rolling rota, which incorporates two consecutive weeks off work each rota cycle. The shift pattern includes working weekday evenings, weekend and Bank Holiday evening, day, and night shifts.

To enable two consecutive weeks off rota each rota cycle, annual leave and the bank holiday entitlement are included in the rota. The benefit of this is that successful candidates would have an average of 13 weeks off rota per annum.

Each of the six rostered working weeks incorporates between two – five days off rota and each of the six weeks includes two consecutive days off. Post holders will have contracted hours to attend team meetings, supervisions, training, and other tasks that take place during normal office hours.

About you

If you would like to be part of developing a new, innovative service and meet the criteria below we would love to hear from you:

Essential

• Registered qualified professional (Social Work, Nurse, OT, psychologist)
• Currently authorised as an AMHP (Post-Grad Certificate in Mental Health)
• Extensive knowledge of and be able to apply, a range of complex and specialist legislation i.e. the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Children Act and other relevant case law
• Valid driving licence
• Experience of working independently undertaking MHA assessments
• Experience of working in multi-disciplinary settings.

Desirable

• Experience as an AMHP with extensive knowledge of the Mental Health Act and mental health social work practice
• Able to demonstrate a proven ability (or understanding of the skills and knowledge required) to work independently as a senior practitioner managing risks and safeguarding

What we can offer you

• We are committed to your continuous professional development, doing all we can to help you to get the most from your career. You will receive excellent support and supervision, with regular opportunities to discuss and reflect on your practice, both with your line manager and peers.
• We offer 26 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays, rising incrementally to 31 days after 5 years’ service.
• Offer an opportunity to enter a generous Local Government Pension Scheme.
• As a place to live and work, Devon is hard to beat with top-performing schools, universities, vibrant cities, pretty villages and some of the most scenic coast and countryside in the UK. Living and working in Devon as an Approved Mental Health Practitioner (AMHP) has never been more attractive.

For more information or an informal discussion, please contact Chris Collins on 0781 712 4971 or via email on chris.collins@devon.gov.uk 

Does the job role include personal care?: No

Working Patterns:

TBC

Essential details:

Salary is £40,478 - £44,539 (+ 20% unsocial hours allowance)

• DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. 

• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
• For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
• This role requires a DBS disclosure.