Mental Health Lead Practitioner

NHFT are building on their work within the crisis cafes and alongside 3rd sector partners in order to provide the counties first integrated mental health hub that will provide an open access front door to all mental health service in the county. This will include the development of a phone based central service for the initial screening, triage and support of those in crisis alongside the further development of extended Crisis Cafes and hospital at home options within the county and Hubs within Northampton and Kettering.
The development of these services will seek to ensure that we are better meeting the needs of our service users and carers by providing a greater range of responsive and flexible services both in an out of hours
These pathway developments will continue to build on our excellent links with the 3rd sector and will attempt to provide a seamless pathway to all services within the county using a striated approach that ensures user can the most appropriate response for their need.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 mental health professional. Predominantly based in the Integrated Response Hub and an integrated part of the crisis care pathway the role will be providing biopsychosocial assessment, safety planning and support to service users and carers., The role requires flexibility as the role is based on service user need with an emphasis on early intervention. The role requires a practitioner that can 'think outside the box' where taking initiative is essential. The role incorporates leadership skills. Taking the lead in decision making forums and supporting colleagues is essential. It will require advanced skills in prioritisation so to best support the service user and colleagues. This role incorporates the wider functions of the Crisis Pathway that include countywide Crisis cafes in partnerships with local 3rd sector providers, Police Street triage options, the Crisis House's, Hospital at Home and Police Custody Healthcare. Successful applicants would be willing to work across a range of these services during the working week, providing specialist mental health assessment and liaison to those in crisis. There will also be a key role in developing relationships and supporting third sector and charity organisations.
Services that the successful candidate will be involved with will aim to reduce mental health attendance at ED across the county, offer genuine opportunities for service users to self-refer at the point of crisis and provide partner organisations with proactive support and alternate pathways for service users who they come into contact with. The pathway has a strong emphasis in service user collaboration., Based at Highfield Clinical Care Centre Northampton, the main role is supporting the functioning of the 24 hour telephone support line.
To liaise and communicate effectively with statutory and non-statutory mental health agencies regarding identification of individuals with mental health needs who contact the integrated response hub.
To maintain protocols for effective communication between both local mental health services, 3rd sector partners and other interested organisations.
To oversee the specialised risk and mental health assessments of individuals engaged with the crisis care pathway to inform recommendations for their care/treatment.
To promote and develop effective working relationships with key agencies.
To act as a focal point for the identification and planning of aftercare for individuals within the Crisis Care Pathway.
Improve the experience of patients with mental health illnesses who receive care in the crisis care pathway.
Provide specialist mental health perspective to the multi-disciplinary team members regarding assessment, intervention, management and safety planning.
Provide a service to the Crisis Care Pathway countywide.
Contribute to support, training and skill development for individuals and groups in mental health awareness.
To assist the Manager with the day-to-day management of junior colleagues regarding clinical supervision, and support.
To promote and develop effective working relationships with key groups with the general acute hospitals and associated community based teams, EMAS, Police and 3rd sector colleagues.
To work as a key lead member of the Integrated Response Hub. Offering a range of interventions for individuals with a wide range of mental health difficulties, in line with the service operational policy.
To offer education, opportunistically and on a planned basis, to individuals in order to improve their knowledge and skills of mental health, and reduce the stigma of mental health.
There will be an expectation that out of hours support will be provided within this role, and that the post holder will be able to provide cover for the service Countywide, working on a shift pattern across a 24/7 basis.
Important Information
Applications will be transferred to the TRAC system, by completing an application you are giving authorisation for the transfer of your data. In submitting an application form, you authorise us to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process. Including factual reference, occupational health clearance and statutory and mandatory training records
Correspondence regarding your application will be sent to you via a TRAC system account.
Please submit your application as soon as possible; due to the high volumes of applications we receive we reserve the right to close any adverts before the closing date once we have received sufficient applications.
We are an equal opportunities employer, which aims to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons from all backgrounds.
At NHFT we support many of our colleagues to work flexibly and we will consider requests for flexible working from day one. For this role, we are open to discussing a range of options including flexible hours, agile/home working, compressed hours and part time hours. Please have a conversation with the recruiting manager about the flexibility you need and we will promise to explore what is possible with you.
Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.
All posts that are engaged in a regulated activity will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and a DBS re-check on a three yearly basis whilst employed in such a role. Staff employed in these posts will therefore be asked to register with the DBS Automatic Update Service upon receipt of their DBS certificate and must update yearly , the annual fee will be reimbursed subject to Trust policy. For further information please visit: DBS Update Service: applicant guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Please note if a DBS is applicable for the position then a charge will be deducted from your first salary or upfront cost if a staff bank position.
Please note that all new starters to the trust are subject to a probationary period.

NHFT is an integrated primary care and mental health Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in both hospital settings and out in the community. Because we put the person at the centre of all we do, we focus on delivering care that is as easy to access as possible. This means many of our services can be provided at home, work or in schools. We also provide health services to various prisons and detention centres in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
NHFT promotes a culture of learning to improve the care and safety of our patients and staff, which focuses on people who enable our Trust to be 'outstanding' by supporting opportunity, innovation, development and growth.