Senior Social Worker/OT/AMHP - REQ004258

INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.

Job title: Approved Mental Health professional

Salary: PO3 £42,839 - £46,142 (Plus AMHP Increment and 15% unsociable Hours) pro rata

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Becklin Centre

As an AMHP within the Crisis Hubs, 136 Suite, and Crisis Assessment Unit (CAU), you will play a pivotal role in supporting individuals during times of acute mental health crisis. You will lead on Mental Health Act assessments for those referred to the service, ensuring timely and compassionate interventions. This role offers the opportunity to develop and maintain specialist expertise in the acute care of people with serious mental health conditions, including the safe management of individuals at significant risk whilst in mental health crisis.

You will bring a strong understanding of mental health services and relevant legislation under the Mental Health Act, and you will be committed to delivering care to the highest possible standards. Collaboration is at the heart of this role—you will work closely with colleagues across the Crisis Service, Street Triage, the 136 Suite, and CAU to provide integrated, person-centred support that makes a real difference in people’s lives.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a AMHPyou will bring to the role:

Approved Mental Health Professional qualifications
Experience of working with people at risk whilst in mental health crisis
Assessment and problems solving skills, particularly in the area of crisis assessment and treatment.
Ability to consult, liaise and negotiate with service users, carers/family members, other professionals and the wider community.
Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team.
Able to demonstrate evidence based practice.
A commitment to the delivery of services that are responsive to clients` culture, gender and families
Good written and verbal communication skills.
Able to prioritise work whilst working under pressure.
Ability to assess people at risk.
Able to delegate work whilst working under pressure.
Demonstrate ability to act on own initiative.
Ability to work in partnership with other teams and services
Team player

Knowledge

A good understanding of mental health services, including relevant legislation.
A clear understanding and commitment to the Crisis Assessment Service, as defined in the Operational Policy
A good understanding of Crisis Assessment Services.
A clear understanding of professional role.
A high level of Ownership and Understanding of the Care Programme Approach.

Personal Characteristics

Current drivers license
Ability to find way round a large inner city area.
Capacity to embrace change and be proactive in the context of a new service.
Able to work across a full working week ie 7 days.
Calm and confident with people who are in distress.
Reflective and considered approach to problem solving.
Sensitive to the needs of diverse communities.

About the role

As our next AMHPyou will have good assessment and problems solving skills, particularly in the area of crisis assessment and treatment.
Ability to consult, liaise and negotiate with service users, carers/family members, other professionals and the wider community.
Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team.
Able to demonstrate evidence-based practice.
A commitment to the delivery of services that are responsive to clients` culture, gender and families
Good written and verbal communication skills.
Defensible decision making and recording
Able to prioritise work whilst working under pressure.
Ability to assess people at risk.
Able to delegate work whilst working under pressure.
Demonstrate ability to act on own initiative.
Ability to work in partnership with other teams and services
Team player

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Blessing Chinemelu blessing.chinemelu@leeds.gov.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose

As an AMHP attached to the Crisis Hubs, Section 136 Suite, and Crisis Assessment Unit (CAU), you will play a vital role in supporting individuals experiencing acute mental health crises. You will take the lead in conducting Mental Health Act assessments for those referred to the service, ensuring timely, lawful, and compassionate interventions.

This position offers the opportunity to develop and maintain specialist expertise in the acute care of people with severe mental health conditions, including the safe management of individuals at significant risk during crisis situations. Collaboration is central to this role. You will work closely with colleagues across the Crisis Service, Street Triage, the Section 136 Suite, and CAU to provide integrated, person-centred support that makes a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Responsibilities

To carry out Mental Health Act Assessments, particularly people detained on Section 136, consider Mental Health Act Requests for people that are not known to secondary mental health services, MHA requests for people in Crisis Assessment Unit and Gatekeep assessments for people attached to the Crisis Hubs.
To take a lead role in screening and assessment, and provision of crisis management for people referred to the service who are in crisis.
Provide a service, which is in line with the team operational policy i.e. client focused, accessible and responsive.
Maintain and develop expertise in the acute care of people with a serious/acute mental health problem, including the management of people at significant risk of suicide.

Provide advice, support and guidance on AMHP work to less experienced team members.
Maintain and update case notes and other records on Health System, write reports as required; give evidence in court in relation to care or other proceedings.
Assist in the planning and developing of future services and policies and promote innovative ways of developing support to service users.
Supervise students and offer support to trainees, other team members and/or volunteers.
On the basis of assessed needs and risks and, using a person centred approach, devise and implement service and support plans which correspond to the assessed needs of service users, their families and carers in line with procedures.
Responsible for analysing information to support the ongoing needs of service users, their families and carers.
To use a Safeguarding framework and have experienced or likely to experience significant harm.
Provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative and based on analysis of complex evidence which can be used within the legal context.
Use management information systems, keeping them up to date and able to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within the requirements of data protection.
Be compliant with relevant governance, policy and procedures.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals within the directorate and partner agencies to ensure integrated, holistic and multidisciplinary approach to the care management and safeguarding of service users.
Contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
Be responsible for understanding and applying all relevant practice standards, policies and procedures. Maintain an awareness of related theories and legislation. Disseminate knowledge and contribute to the delivery of a high standard of service.
Responsible for planning and negotiating a range of appropriate services and interventions that meet the needs of service users within delegated levels of responsibility.
Identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures, seeking guidance if required.
Appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums and convene and chair multi agency meetings in line with procedures.
Organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met.
To work to and within the prescribed national Professional Capabilities Framework
To participate in training and development activities that ensures up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development.
To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council and Directorate policies and procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under Health and Safety policy and procedures
To actively promote and support Leeds City Council’s and Directorate policies on Equality and Diversity
To undertake any other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the grade and purpose of the job as may be determined by the directorate
Work to the prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice and experience in line with personal targets as agreed with line manager through supervision and appraisal.
Under the direction of the Team Manager undertake specific pieces of work in relation to customer feedback, representations, complaints, multi agency projects or service developments and make recommendations or actions plans to implement these to improve service delivery.
Contribute to the development of practice and services through participation in workshops, and consultations.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

Appropriate professional qualification as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP), (BSc, BA, MA, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) Registration with Social Work England (SWE). Occupational Therapist Registration with HCPC upon commencement of the post and maintain registration.

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

Skills Required

Able to effectively plan, manage, prioritise and evaluate work with service users.
Ability to plan, prioritise and time manage a complex workload.
A high level of effective written and verbal communication and the ability to pass information accurately and concisely with a range of partners and service users, carers and colleagues.
Able to overcome resistance and to exercise assertiveness in appropriate situations when working with individuals, families, carers and other agencies.
Ability to negotiate, challenge and manage conflict.
To innovate and problem solve with the ability to identify appropriate social work interventions in order to promote positive change.
Ability to devise, implement review and evaluate service and support plans.
Ability to assess the needs of and work with individuals and groups using a person centred approach.
Ability to exercise individual judgement and consult where and when necessary.
Ability to be flexible, creative and use own initiative.
Ability to maintain accurate service user records, assessments and follow policy and procedure.
Able to record, evidence and communicate using technology.
Able to exercise individual judgement, assess risk and consult where and when appropriate.
Ability to chair multi agency and other meetings and represent the Council in a professional capacity.
Able to develop self and others including mentoring, supervision and development of AMHP student placement.
Able to lead and motivate staff.

Knowledge Required

Appropriate Social Work/ Occupational Health professional qualification (BSc, BA, MA, DipSW, CQSW, or equivalent).
Registration with Social Work England (SWE) or HCPC.
Recent relevant professional development.
Knowledge and understanding of the legislative framework appropriate to the needs of service users from a wide range of backgrounds.
Understanding of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and voluntary agencies.
Basic awareness of IT systems including Microsoft Office, Teams, Internet and Email.
Of current, trends, policies, legislation and regulatory bodies in relation to vulnerable people within a social care setting.
Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the needs and wishes of individuals, families and carers as appropriate.
Demonstrate an awareness of needs and safeguarding issues associated with vulnerable people.
Demonstrate an understanding of diversity issues within local communities.
A good understanding of the challenges of working within a multi-agency environment.

Experience Required

Significant experience of working in a statutory setting.
Experience of working in a multi-agency setting.
Demonstrated creativity in tackling and solving problems.
Of working within and implementing a person centred/child focused approach.
Experience of supervising, supporting, encouraging and advising qualified and non qualified staff.
Use of reflective practice techniques to critically analyse information to inform decision making and planning.
Producing written records and reports to a high standard for a variety of purposes with language suited to function.
Managing a high level, complex and diverse caseload within agreed parameters, policy and procedure.
Application of information gathering skills to make and contribute to assessments

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Skills Required

Possession of a full current driving licence.

Knowledge Required

Consolidation of learning for specialist practice.
Of the range of local mental health services available to users, families and carers.

Experience Required

Of working and reporting within a court environment.
Of working with a wide range of user groups.

#INT

#LI-DNI

Apply for this job