Job Introduction
We’re looking for highly experienced Social Workers who are Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHP) to join our progressive and strengths based Mental Health Social Care Team.
Within this Advanced Practitioner role you will cover AMHP duty for a minimum of two days per month within your usual working pattern. Part-time roles will also be considered.
You will be joining a like-minded team of highly experienced, dynamic and critical Social Workers and AMHPs and supporting colleagues delivering Adult Care Services. You will have been practising and warranted for a minimum of two years. You’ll be responsible for providing advice and support to staff within the team, and advice and assessment to service users with mental health difficulties.
An additional payment of £2025 per year is paid to the Approved Mental Health Professionals on pro rata basis.
We have two posts available. We will review applications as they come in and offer interviews accordingly, and plan to close this vacancy when we have filled both posts. If you would like to discuss this role further, please contact Team Managers Luke Jones on 07434623051 or Caren Taylor 07836 323 801.
Please see attached team summary and highlights of the roles.
Main Responsibility
- Be part of the AMHP duty rota and carry out the AMHP’s roles, responsibilities and accountabilities under the Mental Health Act as required. This may include needing to work outside of your contractual working hours to ensure they are managed within agreed timescales
- To conduct assessments and manage cases including the need to make applications for compulsory detention in hospital under the Mental Health Act
- Coordinate, manage and take responsibility in conjunction with other professionals for the health and safety of all participants (including police and ambulance personnel) during the Mental Health Act assessment process
- To adhere to the professional standards and continuous professional development as detailed in MKCC policies and procedures and standards set by Social Work England
- Undertake the assessment of adults and children with mental health problems including assessing risk and planning, implementing and reviewing services as appropriate to enable independent functioning and ensure that service users and their carers are protected from harm, referring on to other services where appropriate
- Ensure excellent case management of varying complexity and joint working is delivered by the team, with a multi-disciplinary approach. Develop and implement monitoring and audit processes to ensure continued service improvement, including case reviews in line with national targets
- Where relevant deputising for manager on cases specific to the post. Attending all relevant strategic and operational meetings as directed
- Develop and build strong and productive relationships with colleagues and partner agencies, both internal and external to MKC. This will have the effect of more efficient use of resources, leading to improved outcomes for service users, patients and their families
- Ensure data and information is captured and stored appropriately and to the highest accuracy to inform performance management and quality. Analyse data to provide management reports regarding operational performance and for returns to central government and associated bodies
- The management of complaints allocated to them by the Team Manager regarding AMHP specific cases
The Ideal Candidate
- Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England
- Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) Qualification. You will need to have at least two years post qualifying experience, as a warranted AMHP. In order to remain in the role of AMHP Advanced Practitioner, you must maintain your warranted status, or you will regress to H grade experienced social worker
- Expert knowledge of the Care Act, Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and other relevant legislation
- Excellent understanding of mental health issues and possible impact on others
- Excellent assessment and communication skills: able to accurately assess individual’s circumstances in relation to the role and service and develop appropriate plans
- To act as a mentor to AMHP trainees and provide high standard written evidence to affiliated University assessment board
- Participate in regular professional supervision, both individual and group and take active responsibility for personal development and appraisal as well as supervising others in line with MKCC Policies and Procedures
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
