Approved Mental Health Professional
V49109614

£44.37 Per Hour

Full Time

Temporary

Wales,

Social Care

Posted 4 hours ago

Expires In 29 Days

Job Description

Approved Mental Health Professional, Adult Social Care
£44.37 per hour
South East Wales
16 hours p/w

About the role:
The Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) is a role that is unique in UK Law in that it carries with it the authority to formally deprive an individual of their liberty (which accords with article 5 of the Human Rights Act) without the need for a court hearing. The Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) lays down the legal framework in which people can be compulsorily admitted and detained in psychiatric hospitals, and the AMHP has a lead role to play as the primary decision maker when carrying out their duties.
 
The AMHP role is a complex one. It is also unique among the tasks of social workers and other mental health professionals in that the AMHP is acting completely as an autonomous professional when carrying out their duties on behalf of the Local Authority rather than an agent of their employer. An AMHP cannot be instructed by a manager to formally detain an individual under the Mental Health Act. They can only be requested to consider a request for an assessment under the Mental Health Act and reach their own conclusion taking into account all the circumstances of the case.
Principal Accountabilities and Responsibilities
  • To undertake a statutory responsibility to consider all requests for a Mental Health Act (MHA) assessments and for co-ordinating the MHA assessment process; considering the need for admission and pursuing alternatives to the use of compulsion (i.e. least restrictive option) wherever possible. 
  • To bring a social perspective to the Mental Health Act Assessment process, utilising high level of professional skills and knowledge to navigate contentious issues and including challenging senior health professionals and those who may be experts in their own field.
  • To work in partnership with a range of other professionals at senior and specialist levels, but reach an independent autonomous judgement as to whether the use of formal admission to hospital is necessary and appropriate. 
  • When applicable, to hold responsibility for managing referrals in complex situations including children and adult safeguarding cases and assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating interventions for individuals always considering the least restrictive options available, utilising best practice, including any aftercare arrangements.
  • To provide an AMHP service, and when necessary, to provide expert mental health advice and support to a range of other services, including but not limited to the Home Treatment Team, Liaison Psychiatry and other council based services throughout the Authority.
  • To provide an AMHP expert perspective within a multi-professional environment, to address the needs of adults or children where there are mental health concerns, under the terms of the Social Services and Wellbeing Act 2014, the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007) and other relevant legislation.
  • To ensure that the law is being applied correctly and on occasion, they may need to explore/challenge the recommendation of senior medical professionals directly involved in the MHA assessment process. 
  • To be a role model and share good practice, advice and support to enable team colleagues, new social workers/ students to learn, develop and progress their careers within the team. 
  • To be responsible for supervising AMHP students and newly qualified AMHPs, providing supervision, assessing their work including mentoring them to support and guide their practice.
  • Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience
  • Qualification in Social Work i.e Degree in Social Work or recognised predecessor equivalent such as DipSW.
  • Registered with the Care Council for Wales as a ‘Social Worker’ or relevant allied professional.
  • Approved Mental Health Practitioner qualification 
  • Ability to exercise individual judgement and remain accountable;
  • Be able to work in areas of complexity, uncertainty and risk.
  • Specialist working knowledge of the varying models of mental disorder and treatments, 
  • Knowledge and understanding of adult and child safeguarding procedures. 
  • Risk assessment and management skills; including those related to suicide prevention.
  • Good communication skills are essential 
  • Knowledge of legislation, social work theory and practice, including Departmental procedures and policies.
  • Ability to make decisions around the use of compulsory powers in a way that is both lawful and promotes the individual’s autonomy, while safeguarding the individual, their families, carers and members of the public. 
  • Knowledge and understanding of related procedures prescribed by law as well as the associated code of practice. 
 
Special Working Conditions
 
  • Requirement to travel to undertake MHA assessments in community as well as institutional settings.
  • Responding to urgent requests for MHA Assessments, from Monday to Friday covering the period from 9am to 5pm. The completion of a MHA assessment often continues after 5.00pm and there will be an expectation to work outside core working hours in such instances.
What you need:
  • A degree in Social Work or equivalent
  • Registered with Social Care Wales
  • Completed relevant post-qualifying training - AMHP Qualification
  • Transferrable Warrant
  • Enhanced DBS check
  • Excellent communication and written skills
 
 
Why Work with Pertemps Social Care?
 
We’re committed to making your job search seamless and rewarding. Here’s what our candidates can expect:
 
✅ Your Own Consultant – Your contact will be a social care specialist who knows the sector inside-out, has great connections across the region, and provides the tailored career advice you need to ensure the next step is the best one for you.
✅ Simple, Online Registration – Our process is designed to ensure your registration journey is quick and straightforward.
✅ Exclusive Roles – you have access to roles exclusive to us 
✅ Great Incentives – We have an exceptional referral scheme. Recommend your friends and colleagues and earn an introduction fee of £250. We will pay you £250 if you find your own role
✅ State of the Art Compliance – We use powerful next-generation software to manage these critical processes are as quick, efficient, and stress-free as possible.
✅ Fast, Reliable Payroll – Get paid promptly and securely, every time.
And much more to ensure your job-search is smooth and hassle-free.
 
Our Roles
 
We place Social Care Practitioners into a wide range of essential roles, including:
 


  • Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO)
  • Best Interest Assessor (BIA)
  • Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
  • Looked After Children (LAC)
  • Fostering / Adoption
  • Children’s & Adult Social Work
  • Service Manager / Head of Service
  • Team Manager / Assistant Team Manager
  • Occupational Therapist
 
If you’re interested in finding your next role in social care, we can help!
 
📩 Get in Touch Today!
📧 kaye.fleming@pprsocialcare.co.uk
📞 07435 787 863 / 0161 804 7658
 
Take the next step in your social work career with us!

Kaye Fleming

Kaye.Fleming@pprsocialcare.co.uk

1

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Pertemps Professional Recruitment

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London

Greater London

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