Practitioner - AMHP Training Post EDS

An excellent opportunity has arisen to be part of an innovative and proactive Out of Hours Emergency Duty Service that responds to Emergency situations outside of office Hours across all client Specialisms and where necessary will take action to keep service users safe. We are inviting applications from experienced practitioners who may have relevant experience of working within mental health and/or Children's Services and wish to complete the full AMHP training. To have additional experience of direct work with Children and Families will be an advantage. The post holder will have a Social Work Degree or equivalent and be registered with Social Work England as a qualified Social Worker Applicants must be committed to undertaking the full AMHP Programme at the earliest opportunity and qualify as an Approved Mental Health Professional under the 1983 Mental Health Act (as amended). If you would like an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact David Smee, Team Manager, Children and Family Solutions, at . David would be pleased to arrange a conversation to answer any questions you may have about the role, team, or service. Who are we? We are the Emergency Duty Service, and we work outside of normal working hours, including at night, weekends, and bank holidays. The service comprises of a team of experienced Managers and Practitioners all of whom are qualified and experienced in all aspects of social work and we are all Approved Mental Health professionals to enable us to meet requests for emergency assessments under the Mental Health Act. We also have a team of experienced advisors who screen all calls and gather information and provide advice or re-direct the calls to the Social Work team. We all work on a 7 day's shift rota and respond to emergency situations outside of normal office hours for Essex and provide the same service to Southend Borough Council under contract. We have a small support team who work during office hours to ensure a smooth handover to day services and are the link with the wider organisation and partner agencies for any issues that arise during normal daytime hours. To read more about us please visit: & Please take a look at our Accountabilities

• Receiving and evaluating referrals and ensuring an appropriate professional response consistent with the Emergency Duty Service Model
• Once AMHP qualified postholder will undertake assessments under the Mental Health Act
• Undertaking risk assessments for children and young people, with reference to Child Protection work under Section 47 of the Children Act.
• Giving advice and support to all service users as appropriate.
• Attending Team and other Directorate meetings arranged and where essential, attending court proceedings, case conference and Mental Health Tribunals
• Using information systems to carry out duties as required.
• Undertaking a workload consisting of the most complex and difficult emergency referrals involving work with the most vulnerable client groups.
• Bringing to bear the highest possible standard of practice ability and skills to work independently within the confines of directorate policy and procedure.
• Acting as a source of consultation for staff within their Service on professional and social work matters, within particular concern for the development of practice and professional development of other staff as determined by the Team Manager.
• Maintaining up to date knowledge of Directorate policies and procedures and of legislation or regulations set down by Central Government in respect of all client groups.
• Required to work a shift pattern on a rolling rota which includes evenings, nights, weekends, bank holidays including Christmas and New Year and all public holidays.
• Be available during daytime hours when required to do so.
  
  Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK., Social Work Degree or equivalent and Social Work England registration as a qualified Social Worker.
• Preferably to have existing experience of direct work with Children and Families including experience of child protection investigation work.
• Applicants must either be qualified as an Approved Mental Health Professional under the 1983 Mental Health Act (as amended) or committed to undertaking the full AMHP Programme at the earliest opportunity and qualify as an Approved Mental Health Professional under the 1983 Mental Health Act (as amended). Please note: Priority will be given to applicants who have already successfully completed their Pre-AMHP training preferably within the last 2 years.
• Experience and knowledge of work with vulnerable adults.
• An ability to empower children and their carers to enable their full participation in work undertaken.
• Knowledge of current Community Care practice and multi-agency systems of Assessment and Care Management for Older People and vulnerable adults.
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant policy and recent research findings across all client specialisms.
• A commitment to anti-oppressive behaviour, practice and management.
• The willingness and ability to work in an open manner as part of a team, with a commitment to sharing and working alongside staff in your own and other organisations whilst at the same time recognising own management responsibilities.
• An ability to approach your work and duties in a culture of flexibility.