Mental Health Practitioner

Band 6 Mental Health Practitioner based between the Aldrington Centre, Hove, and the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital, Brighton.

The CAMHS Duty and Liaison Team within Brighton and Hove CAMHS is seeking an additional Band 6 Mental Health Practitioner.

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified Social Worker, Occupational Therapist or Nurse (RMN, RGN, RNSC or RLDN) to develop their risk assessment and intervention skills within a dynamic, inclusive and supportive team of experienced Band 5, 6 and 7 Mental Health Practitioners, Support Workers and administrative support. We would welcome suitably experienced Band 5 practitioners seeking a development role.

The team are dedicated to achieving good outcomes for young people who are presenting with a mental health crisis. We offer high quality psycho-social assessments, care planning, and therapeutic child and family interventions. We have developed solid working relationships with the wider CAMHS teams and external services. There are many opportunities for multi-disciplinary de-briefs, support and supervision built into the week.

Duty

Representing the 'front door' of CAMHS; responding to calls and queries from families and professionals, and providing advice and support over the telephone. Offering initial assessments to young people and their families following referral.

Liaison

Assessing and supporting young people in a mental health crisis who are at the hospital (either at A&E or on the wards). Making appropriate onwards referrals and following up young people as needed.

Risk Support

Working therapeutically with young people and families who require support while waiting for treatment within CAMHS.

Working in Sussex
- Travel easily between coast and countryside, with a blend of picturesque villages and seaside towns there’s always new experiences to be enjoyed
- Embrace the city life with great access to visit Brighton and London
- With easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow and excellent railway links across the UK there is plenty of opportunity for adventure

We’d love you to join our organisation that is rated ‘good’ overall and ‘outstanding’ for caring by the Care Quality Commission. Our staff agree, with 82% of people in our recent staff survey telling us that they recognise that care for patients is our top priority.

**Other key staff survey results include**:

- 70% highlighting flexible working opportunities as a key point for satisfaction at work
- 79% reporting feeling able to make suggestions to improve the work within their team
- 77% identifying the opportunities to show initiative in their roles

To respond to referrals made to the duty team from a variety of sources. To prioritise work according to the level of urgency. To work closely with young people, their carers and other professionals in order to facilitate a safe plan of care.

To support tier 3 CAMHS with young people who are awaiting allocation of a Lead Practitioner, therapeutic work or are waiting for an initial assessment with therapeutic interventions.

To respond to referrals from A&E and acute hospital wards and carry out comprehensive assessments including risk assessment and safety care planning. To ensure high quality communication and effective relationships within the Duty and Liaison Team and our general hospital colleagues, other agencies and carers.

To work with general hospital staff providing interventions and support to patients who are staying on acute hospital wards awaiting the allocation of appropriate mental health services.