Single Point of Contact Practitioner

The Single Point of Contact (SPoC) / Blue Light Line (BLL) has been developed to improve outcomes for individuals presenting in crisis to Emergency Services and other partner agencies. Workig alongside Rapid Response, the service aims to reduce the amount of time emergency services spend on scene supporting those experiencing mental health difficulties. BLL/SPoC practitioners use their clinical expertise to support complex decision-making, offering guidance and signposting to the most appropriate services for individuals in crisis, including those experiencing self-defined crises. This approach supports improved outcomes for both patients and carers. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing a single point of access for information and clinical advice. A key aim is to ensure that alternatives to the use of Section 136 are fully considered before this power is exercised. It also provides advice to Ambulance colleagues, helping to reduce unnecessary conveyances to Emergency Departments unless there is a clear medical need. In addition, the service acts as the single point of contact for partner agencies, including Sussex Police and SECAmb, coordinating access to Hospital-Based Places of Safety (Section 136 suites). It also undertakes triage, coordination, and allocation for Havens, whether as an Alternative Designated Place of Safety or for informal extended assessment and support where clinically indicated.Main duties of the job To receive information from emergency service colleagues, and give advice and support based on the clinical presentation of a person in crisis, including a self- defined crisis. The SPoC/BLL practitioners will work collaboratively with the team's Rapid Response practitioners, coordinating the response to support emergency services and be deployable 'at scene' when this is required. This approach further aims to minimise the use of S.136 when safe to do so, or reduce the need for conveyance to an ED when there is no physical health need. The SPoC/BLL will work collaboratively with Trust bed management and with Havens supporting patient flow to ensure capacity. Complete written records that outline the presenting need for each referral, intervention offered and the outcomes. When required, using clinical skills and knowledge, advise police colleagues on alternative means of support available to avoid the use of S136, offer least restrictive practice and gain the best outcomes for those in mental health crisis. Advise paramedics on alternative pathways to mental health assessment without the need for conveyance to A&E when there is no medical need.

To have experience of and specialist knowledge on interventions to be able to lead in clinical area. To demonstrate excellent communication skills and provide handovers of activity. To work in partnership with other agencies to gain the best person -centred outcomes for the individual., Registered with the NMC, Social Work England or HCPC - Experience working in mental health services - Knowledgeable of factors which can impact on safety and service user experience - Knowledgeable of factors which can impact on safety for emergency service colleagues. Shifts are long days and evenings over 7 days but we will consider flexible working. The shift requirements ensure this post has generous enhancements attached to it. It is essential you have: - Either experience in an Urgent Care setting, ideally a CRHT or psychiatric liaison - Or experience of crisis assessment in any setting that provides a safety care plan.,

• Registered Nurse, Social Work England or HCPC registered professional with current registration appropriate to the job role.
• Degree/diploma level supplemented by specialist qualification, training, experience, evidence of post registration training in relevant service area
• Completion of Mentorship Course/ENB equivalent
• Extensive post qualifying experience in relevant service area
• Experience of supervising staff and students
• Comprehensive knowledge of interventions specific to service area
• Awareness of Trust policies and service specification
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills with staff, patients, families, carers and professionals
• Ability to provide and receive highly complex and highly sensitive information from multiple stakeholders and formulate the appropriate intervention
• Demonstrate empathy and reassurance skills to patients in crisis / intervention
• Able to establish links with other services and professionals
• Able to effectively manage risk
• To have a good knowledge of service objectives
• Able to lead clinical discussions in team
• Able to manage and delegate tasks
• To offer leadership and lead the team in absence of the service manager.
• Competent skills in use of PC for daily administrative tasks and able to use Trust IT systems to enter patient information, case notes, risk, Care Notes
• Physically fit to undertake duties related to service area and have an awareness of PMVA interventions
• Able to manage distressing or emotional situations involving staff and patients on a regular basis
• Awareness of policies relevant to workplace, ie lone working and able to manage and deal with incidents as per Trust Policy
• Ability to work in highly emotive and potentially hostile working environments on a regular basis
• Demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the Trust and demonstrate an understanding of the practices of Human Rights in the delivery of this role
• To be a team player and be punctual and flexible across hours of work when required
Desirable criteria
• Lived experience of mental illness, Successful candidates are normally appointed to the bottom of the pay scale unless previous NHS experience in a similar role can be evidenced., You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
  
  At SPFT we put people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You'll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development.
We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it's part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we'll explore what works for you and the role. We recognise that tools like AI are becoming part of everyday life and you may choose to use them when preparing your application. We welcome this, as long as what you submit reflects your own experience, skills and voice. AI can be helpful for structuring or refining your answers, but it should not replace your own examples or create content that isn't based on your real experience. Our recruitment process is designed to get to know you, and we'll explore your examples further at interview, so it's important your application genuinely represents what you bring. You can read more about using AI in applications and interviews on our recruitment process page. We're shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we'd love to hear from you.