Mental Health Act Clerk

Job overview

The Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended in 2007) is an Act of Parliament which covers the reception, care and treatment of people who suffer from mental disorders, the management of their property and other related matters. In particular, it provides the legislation by which people diagnosed with a mental disorder can be detained to hospital and have their disorder assessed or treated.

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and flexible clerk to join the Trust Mental Health Law Team based in the Cambridge locality (Fulbourn Hospital).

The Mental Health Act Clerk will work as part of the wider Mental Health Law Team and support the Mental Health Act Administrator to ensure that the administrative processes of the Act are adhered to by all staff in compliance with the requirements of the law and in line with Trust policies and procedures.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be required to assist in providing the day-to-day administration of the Mental Health Act (MHA) and to ensure that the Trust’s MHA administration procedures are adhered to.

Under the supervision of the Mental Health Act Administrator, the post holder will be required to assist in processing patient section papers from receipt to admission and discharge, liaising with a diverse group of important contacts in a sensitive and professional manner, book and coordinate the arrangements for MHA Tribunals and internal Appeal Hearings, assisting in auditing and monitoring the use of the Act and dealing with highly confidential information.

To post holder must be good team player with excellent time management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities to meet the Act’s legislative and procedural requirement whilst showing excellent attention to detail.

You will also have excellent organisational and interpersonal skills, the ability to communicate effectively at all levels and escalate concerns when required. The post holder will be required to have excellent keyboard skills, proven good working knowledge of all Microsoft packages (Word, Excel and Outlook) and have a good standard of education. Previous experience of working in a similar administrative/customer-orientated environment is essential.

Knowledge and understanding of the MHA would be advantageous, applications from suitable candidates who are willing to undergo training is welcomed.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.

• To assist the MHA Administrator in the administrative scrutiny and processing of all Mental Health Act related documentation and in liaising with Responsible Clinicians to ensure the medical scrutiny of detention papers.
• To assist the MHA Administrator in liaising with clinicians, patients and staff on the administration of the Mental Health Act.
• To arrange Mental Health Act Tribunals and Hospital Managers Hearings and to make referrals to the Tribunal in line with the legal requirements of the Mental Health Act, the MHA Code of Practice and Trust policy and liaise with the Tribunal Office, Associate Hospital Mangers, Patients, Nearest Relatives, Responsible Clinicians, Care Coordinators, Solicitors and other professionals regarding the arrangements.
• To coordinate and obtain all necessary reports for the Tribunals and Hospital Managers Hearings.  To ensure access forms are completed and sent to the relevant bodies / professionals before the hearings preparation deadline. To ensure that arrangements are made for the patient to be appropriately represented by a solicitor and/or an advocate.
• To ensure that all relevant documentation is available for the hearing and to clerk hearings when necessary and make sure that all those involved with the hearing are aware of the decision of the panels.
• To support the Mental Health Act Administrator in ensuring that the correct procedure is followed and that all relevant documentation is completed..