Senior Mental Health Practitioner

Job summary We are looking for Senior Mental Health Practitioners (SMHP) to join the Community Forensic Team based in DawlishDevon.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Team at one of the Country's most respected providers of Secure Mental Health Services.
The Community Forensic Team is managed withinthe Secure Services Directorate by Devon Partnership NHS Trust.
Within the Directorate there are 2 separate Local Delivery units (LDUs): InpatientServices and Community Forensic Services (CFS).The CFS is comprised of 3 teams including the Community Forensic team (CFT), Forensic Intellectual andNeurodevelopmental disorder team (FIND) and the Forensic Personality Disorderservice (FPDs).
Since 2021 the CFS have been working to integrate themanagement of the SCFT, FIND and FPD teams to ensure a single point of entry tothe service, centralising triage and gatekeeping functions.
Whilst the teams have retained theirindividual identities and remits they have effectively become one integratedCFS.The Specialist CFS Team supportssocial integration prior to and post-discharge from an inpatient setting, witha focus on occupational routine, prosocial identity development, relationalsecurity and vocational opportunities.The overarching aim of the CFS is to deliver a model of integrated care and support across all elements of a service users pathway, with a specific focus on prevention through admission avoidance and early intervention through collaboration with other services.
Main duties of the job You will be a core member of a multi-disciplinary CFT and be responsible for taking an active role in carrying out the functions of the team; including carrying a case load of varying complexity, with a principle focus on service users who would benefit most from an specialist forensic intervention.You will provide expert assessment and treatment for people with complex mental health difficulties and their carers.
This will include recovery co-ordination (design and co-ordination of treatment packages that are personalised and evaluated).
You will work with another Care Coordinator to provide holistic client centred care co-ordination.For those in inpatientcare, there is an aim to support flow through the Secure Directorate and reducere admission following discharge into the Community.The liaison with a wide range of statutory and non-statutoryagencies is central.
You will contribute to theclinical leadership of the team, providing supervision for other members andparticipating in team and service development, and evaluation.
You will often work under pressure withoutdirect supervision, so we are looking for someone confident and capable.
Youwill prioritise tasks, and manage your own workload, providing support for yourcolleagues where required.
You may berequired to support the induction of new staff members and students.Free car parking available on site.
*We would consider applications from both part time and full time candidates for this role.
About us About Devon Partnership TrustWe provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally.
We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing.
We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we doOur valuesWe not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values.
These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion.
We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010.
Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible.
We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities.
We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Job description Job responsibilities For further information regarding this role, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential A professional mental health qualification RMN, Social Work Degree or equivalent, BSc/Diploma in OT.
Post graduate qualification relevant to forensic mental health Student supervisor/assessor or Practice Educator accreditation or equivalent Evidence of Post Graduate Courses, on-going training and development in theory and practice in chosen profession.
Knowledge and Skills Essential An understanding of the Mental Health Act and Mental Health Capacity Act requirements Awareness of community structures and social care management responsibilities Understanding of recovery principles in Mental Health Awareness of legal restraints impacting on the rehabilitation of mentally disordered offenders Good working knowledge of health legislation and current practice including CPA and risk assessment and management Computer Literacy Training and presentation skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills Group work skills Able to produce well written reports.
Ability to communicate with a wide range of professionals from various settings Ability to assess and develop plans to manage risk.
Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance and ethical issues.
Skilled in assessing, planning and evaluating profession specific interventions.
A problem-solving approach to professional practice.
Previously participated in audit and quality assurance programmes.
Familiarity of basic research methodology.
Demonstrate an ability and awareness to maintain personal and professional boundaries Able to plan creatively to maximise effectiveness of care plans, including complex multi-agency care plans Able to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to organize and respond efficiently to complex information Ability to plan services according to needs Excellent self-management skills and ability to set own priorities Ability to take initiative and develop new ideas Able to plan prioritise, manage and oversee a clinical caseload Additional Criteria Essential Ability to be mobile across a geographical area To be able to respond promptly to physical and mental health emergencies, to think quickly and to deal with situations in a calm and sensible manner Experience Essential Established mental health experience Experience of managing an extensive and complex caseload of clients with a range of complex forensic mental health needs Working within a community mental health setting in either the statutory or voluntary sector.
Experience of clinical supervision for qualified and/or support staff Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment.
Understanding of current issues within secure mental health services, clinical governance issues, practice education and implications for your chosen profession Application of health and safety and risk management policies Awareness of the implications of long-term institutional care Understanding of team dynamics