NEAP Contract Manager

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust was awarded the contract from the Department of Health from 1st April 2014 to manage the Approvals function for all new applications for approval and reapproval under the Mental Health Act 1983, (as amended) for both section 12(2) doctors and Approved Clinicians in the North of England. The North of England Approvals Panel (NEAP) covers the North East, North West and Yorkshire regions., We require a Contract Manager to join and manage an already established and experienced team who are based at West Park Hospital. Their main role will be overall responsibility for the operational management of the Approvals function associated with the registration, approval and training of medical practitioners under Section 12(2) Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA). Also, the registration, approval and training of medical, and non-medical, practitioners as Approved Clinicians under Section 145(1) (MHA) for, and on behalf of, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) for the North of England area. They will also be required to manage and maintain the National Database for the North of England region for approved practitioners.

This role also involves working with existing training providers to ensure that sufficient initial and refresher courses for Section 12(2) doctors and Approved Clinicians are available for applicants in the Panel's geographical area of responsibility.

We require an applicant who has a Health or Social Care Qualification equivalent to degree level or higher and also a relevant Post Graduate Qualification in Mental Health Law or related area. They should have extensive experience within the NHS (or partner agency) in a senior role where in-depth knowledge of the MHA 1983 and MCA 2005 is required and applied daily. Knowledge of the Secretary of State legal Instructions relating to Approved Clinician and Section 12(2) approval (MHA 1983) is also required.

The successful applicant needs to have significant experience in a management role and be approachable with good interpersonal and communication skills and can work autonomously, prioritise workload and adapt to changing needs.

Applicants must have the ability to travel independently as the post covers the North of England region and meetings can be held anywhere within the region. There may also be a requirement to attend national meetings outside of the region.

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.