Safeguarding / Mental Capacity Specialist Nurse

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Safeguarding / Mental Capacity Specialist Nurse to join our team!
The post holder will assist the Named Nurse Safeguarding Adults to set, monitor and maintain robust safeguarding arrangements, training programmes and collaborative interagency working.
The primary focus of the Mental Capacity Act / Safeguarding Specialist Nurse is to focus on interpreting, advising, and acting upon the relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Interview Date - Week Commencing 25th November 2024, The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the Trust with the successful implementation of the Liberty Protections Safeguards which will replace the current Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
The post holder will contribute to the Safeguarding Team's ability to offer support and advice to Trust staff with the wider safeguarding agenda and ensure that the Trust's statutory responsibilities are carried out effectively.
A high degree of effective communication, liaison and networking is required to maintain good working relationships within the Trust and external partners such as Integrated Care Boards, Social Care and the Police. In addition, the post holder as lead specialist must be able to challenge poor practice, influence and negotiate with health and external partners to improve standards and reduce the likelihood of discriminatory practice., + Support the Trust to maintain compliance with the Mental Capacity Act 2015 (MCA).
+ Support and continue to embed the current Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) across the Trust.
+ To support the implementation of the Safeguarding Adult Agenda in line with the Care Act 2014.
+ To provide expert support to all trust staff in relation to Safeguarding Adults and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
+ To be a visible presence in clinical areas.
+ Ensure that there is clear documentation of Mental Capacity Assessments and best interest decisions which meet the standard of the Mental Capacity Act (2005).
+ To support the staff to carry out Mental Capacity Assessments and complete relevant documentation.
+ To check that the circumstances of a Deprivation of Liberty meet the requirements of the "Acid Test" following the Supreme Court Judgement (2014).
+ To contribute to Trust Serious Incidents and Local Safeguarding Adult reviews, sharing lessons learnt when appropriate.
+ To provide education, training, and support for staff to meet the legal requirements of the MCA / Care Act.
+ Represent the Trust at multi agency meetings in relation to Mental Capacity Act / Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and Safeguarding.
+ Complete and contribute to Trust Audit.
+ To communicate new developments in practice or case law.
+ To record and collate relevant data to support local and national reporting.
+ Ensure that the Mental Health section papers of patients detained to the trust are quality checked to ensure they meet legal requirements.
+ Actively support the Trust to achieve key performance indicators in relation to safeguarding and MCA.
CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
+ Work closely with clinical staff to support the application of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and to ensure that best practice is developed and maintained throughout the Trust.
+ Take the Lead in providing advice, training, and guidance to clinical staff / front line staff on the Mental Capacity Act and associated legislation, ensuring appropriate policies are in place.
+ Expand and maintain professional knowledge and skills in relation to Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, and and new proposed changes in Case Law by keeping abreast of current trends/initiatives and related developments.
+ Audit the use of the MCA within the Operational Directorates and prepare reports of the findings, and possible recommendations.
+ Advise and support staff to effectively discharge their safeguarding responsibilities when caring for and discharging vulnerable adults.
+ Respond appropriately to information requests form other agencies to support safeguarding enquiries.
+ Prepare and develop processes for management of proposed changed to legislation and take a lead to support embedding of the practice changes.
+ Assist with the identification of MCA training needs within the Operational Directorates.
+ Where required, provide more intensive support and expertise to assist clinical staff establish the best way to approach complex cases in relation to mental capacity and the deprivation of liberty.
+ To participate in regular supervision, professional development, and appraisal in order to maintain relevant skills and knowledge.
+ Ensure information on Mental Capacity Act, DoLS and Mental Health is always readily available in a variety of formats within the Organisation.
+ Take the lead for reviewing revised and new clinical policies to check that they meet the requirements of the MCA.
+ Represent the Trust at meetings external to the organisation when required.
+ Maintain a high and visible profile in the clinical environment.
+ Maintain Professional Registration.
+ Adhere to relevant Code of Practice of Professional body.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
+ Contribute to Trust audits.
+ Maintain databases containing DoLS, Safeguarding activity and Mental Health detentions.
+ Support ward staff in completion DoLS applications and MCA assessments.
+ Complete Local Authority Safeguarding Referrals or advise staff when to do so.
+ Ensure relevant documentation is stored appropriately and mandatory reporting requirements are fulfilled.
+ Ensure reviews of restrictions are documented.
TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES
+ Have in-depth knowledge of Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and Safeguarding adults underpinned by theoretical training, practical experience, and evidence-based practice.
+ Attend relevant training and development to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required to ensure professional qualifications are maintained.
+ Provide face to face training and training resources for staff to ensure Trust compliance with mandatory training requirements.
+ Provide bespoke training as required to ensure the Mental Capacity Act and Safeguarding is embedded into everyday practice.
RESEARCH & AUDIT
+ Audit will be a requirement of this role.
Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. You are part of an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.
Given sometimes we receive a high volume of applications to work for us, please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed. Therefore, you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.
The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience. We always aim for continuous improvement in our practice.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
If you are having difficulty completing an online application, or require any disability reasonable adjustments, to the application process, please contact [email protected]
We also commit to offering an interview to all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
The Trust operates anonymous shortlisting where no personal information about you, including your name or personal details are shared with the recruiting manager. No equality information is shared at any time during the recruitment process with the recruiting manager or other people involved in the decision-making process.
The equality monitoring information you provide is used in the following situations: to review our recruitment practices; where a job is limited to a specific person to verify their eligibility to apply; and to offer disability reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click here to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unbale to provide sponsorship.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Please note if applicable, applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment.
If you have not already done so, you are therefore encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service to which a small annual fee of £13 per year applies.
Flexible Working
We actively support flexible working patterns throughout MWL. Changes made to the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook mean that:
· All employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment.
· There is no limit on the number of requests they can make.
· Employees have the right to make requests, have them considered, regardless of the reason.
At Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we will consider requests for flexible working. We would also encourage you to also discuss flexible working options at interview stage.
Working for Team MWL
Staff recognition is especially important to us; as well as performance reviews and appraisals, we recognise staff through Employee of the month. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.
The Trust is a non-smoking across all our sites. Failure to follow this rule could lead to disciplinary action. For more information, see the Smoke Free NHS website
The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated.
Additional Information
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and Behaviours which are We are KIND, We are OPEN, We are INCLUSIVE, which can be found here.
An applicant guide to help and support you with your application and what to expect during your recruitment journey can be accessed in the supporting documents.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team MWL very soon.

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.
Our services:
Acute Care
Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
Primary Care
Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
Community Services
Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
Specialist Regional Services
We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
+ Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
+ Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
+ National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme