Mental Health Law Officer

Job overview

An exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, motivated and diligent person to provide legal administrative support within the Mental Health Legislation and Compliance Department . The post holder will play a key role in delivering a quality Mental Health Law service in line with Trust Procedural Guidelines and Standards. The post holder will be required to work independently using initiative with strong organisational skills, while applying a high degree of confidentiality and accuracy to their work.

Main duties of the job

As a Mental Health Law Officer you will be expected to co-ordinate information and provide legal administration and support in order to facilitate the effective running of the department. This will include but is not limited to:

• Supporting HPFT staff to ensure that the  Mental Health Act and associated legislation is adhered to so that service user's rights are protected.
• To act as the first point of contact for enquiries from service users, carers and professionals.
• Liaising with professionals when statutory documentation is required.
• To maintain and update systems and spreadsheets including an Electronic Patient Record.
• Liaising with other agencies e.g Safeguarding teams at the general hospitals,Mental Health Liaison Services, Advocates, Solicitors, First Tier Tribunal Mental Health, Ministry of Justice, Care Quality Commission

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a specialist team . As such, it is essential that the Mental Health Law Officer has the ability to operate without direct supervision, using independent judgement and taking responsibility for the oversight and control of a defined workload.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To support the MH Legislation and Compliance Department and in doing so will ensure that the Mental Health Act and associated legislation is adhered to so that service user’s rights are protected.
• To act as the first point of contact for enquiries from service users and their Nearest Relatives. The post holder will be expected to work within standard operational procedures and will refer any enquiries to the appropriate personnel as necessary.
• To give information by letter with regard to detention under the Mental Health Act to service users and where appropriate their nearest relative.

• To provide reminders to Responsible Clinicians when statutory documentation is required.
• To provide reminders to Responsible Clinicians when sections are due to expire.
• To ensure that statutory documentation is accurate and available on the Electronic Patient Record (EPR).
• To maintain and update systems and spreadsheets including an Electronic Patient Record.
• To assist in the administrative tasks associated with Care Quality Commission (CQC) visits.
• To assist with the monitoring of use of the Community Treatment Order and the Consent to Treatment provisions.
• To support Hospital Managers’ and Tribunal Hearings.
• To develop and maintain an understanding and knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 and how this applies to the administration of the Act.
• To be actively engaged with team meetings and developmental opportunities.