Mental Health Act Administrator

We are looking for an enthusiastic, well-organised individual to join our North Regional Mental Health Act Administration team. You will be supporting individual hospital sites and be part of our national Mental Health Act Administration team.
You will need to have administration experience, preferably from working in a fast-paced office environment. It would be great if this included legal, health or social care experience. You will need to be a strong communicator, have the ability to prioritise and work on your own initiative. Reliability, tact, flexibility and adaptability are also key skills for this role.
Main Purpose
Responsibilities/ Key Duties
To manage the efficient administration of the Mental Health Act (MHA) within the area of responsibility and prioritise workload to meet constantly changing demands.
To ensure compliance with the MHA 1983, amendments to the act and the revised MHA Code of Practice.
To support and advise staff, service users and relatives on the MHA 1983 and associated procedures.
Maintain accurate data in relation to the use of the Act in order to provide statistical information for national and local reporting processes.
Support the service in any administration related to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards where required and identify and escalate any issues
Receive and scrutinise statutory documentation; ensure that errors are rectified within the legal timescale; be responsible for identifying an invalidating error and following documented procedures after consultation with the Hospital Director/Director of Clinical Services and Regional Mental Health Law Lead.
Provide training to nurses, doctors and other professionals on the Mental Health Act and statutory guidance
Monitor, remind and record changes in legal status and appropriate documentation. Informing Consultants and nursing staff of legal requirements relating to detained patients i.e. renewal of sections, consent to treatment etc.
Be responsible for the efficient and effective processing of hearings in relation to MH tribunals and Hospital Directors review, ensuring all relevant parties are notified, reports have been obtained and helping to negotiate hearing dates and venues, providing and processing documentation in accordance with the MHA Code of Practice and Divisional Policies and procedures.
Ensure supplies of MHA documentation, statutory and in-house, are available for clinicians, service users and their nearest relatives.
Provide support to other MHA administrators and provide cover when required and as agreed.
Receive and scrutinise statutory documentation; ensure that errors are rectified within the legal timescale; be responsible for identifying an invalidating error and following documented procedures after consultation with the Hospital Director/Director of Clinical Services.
Follow up MHA action points in Regulatory Inspection reports following visits to clinical areas
Ensure as far as practicable, a safe environment in hearings for visitors and staff.
This is a specialist role and you will be provided with an induction programme, tailored to the position and sites you will be working from. You will then be offered ongoing individual support and training as you develop within the team. All our Mental Health Act Administrators are expected to place patient experience and care at the very centre of their approach, helping us to identify ways to keep improving our processes and the support we provide to our patients, hospital and regional teams.
You will report to our Regional Mental Health Act Administrator in the North, but you will also work closely with other Mental Health Act roles and hospital teams. Your day to day duties will vary and will include;
- Reviewing legal paperwork and making sure we meet our legal requirements and helping hospital teams to meet their duties under the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act
- Offering support to patients, clinicians and stakeholders by listening to their queries and responding or seeking advice from the wider team
- Arranging and supporting the hearings that take place for patients, which include Tribunals and Hospital Manager Hearings
- Acting as a point of contact and building relationships with external agencies and stakeholders including NHS, Local Authorities, Tribunal Service, Ministry of Justice, Legal Representatives, Advocacy
- Completing audits or producing reports to help inform hospitals and the region on issues or improvements needed