Mental Health Legislation Administrator

Job overview

The Mental Health Legislation Team (MHL Team) offers a comprehensive Trust wide service to all in-patient and community services within Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust providing expertise in all aspects of the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA), Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), including associated Court of Protection (CoP) work. The team strives to deliver a consistently high standard of support to all NHFT staff offering advice, guidance and training in relation to the above legislations to ensure the Trust is lawfully compliant, maintain the Trust’s reputation and protect from unlawful practice and litigation claims.

The post holder will work with the Mental Health Legislation Manager and MHL Team to maintain an efficient and effective service for the Trust in relation to the Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards legislations.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will require a good knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 and its complexities, along with an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated Codes of Practice for both. It requires a high level of administrative skills and previous knowledge of working with legislation and legal documents is desirable. Working within the MHL Team, the post holder will also be expected to learn and support work relating to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Provide advice and support to all professionals across the Trust in relation to the Mental Health Act 1983 and associated Code of Practice.
• Provide information to patients and nearest relatives in relation to detention, rights and appeals under the Mental Health Act 1983.
• Liaise with Consultants to provide advice and reminders to ensure they meet their legal obligations under the Mental Health Act 1983 within the required time limits.
• Liaise with Consultants in relation to the continued detention of patients, arranging MHA assessments and renewal hearings as appropriate within the required time limits.
• Provide advice and support to all professionals across the Trust in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
• Build productive working relationships with colleagues including team members, NHFT staff and other external organisations.
• Maintain a sound knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 and Code of Practice, keeping up to date with ever changing case law.
• Act on behalf of the MHA Hospital Managers with regard to all delegated duties as defined in the Mental Health Act 1983 and Code of Practice.
• Receive and scrutinise legal documents for accuracy and compliance with the Mental Health Act 1983 ensuring the lawful detention of the patient.
• Maintain an efficient monitoring and diary system for all legal and time limited requirements under the Mental Health Act 1983.
• Liaise with Consultants and ward staff and provide necessary advice and paperwork to ensure these actions are completed within the required time limits.
• Co-ordinate appeals received for the First-Tier Tribunal and Hospital Managers hearings.
• Securing attendance of all relevant parties ensuring they are aware of time, date and venue for the hearing, including any changes
• On occasions it may be necessary to attend hearings in full to provide additional support to the panel and/or accompany the Hospital Manager when conveying the decision to the patient.
• Support the MHA Hospital Managers in all aspects to enable them to carry out their role effectively and confidently.
• Develop a working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
• Receive and process Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards applications.
• Monitor Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards authorisations to ensure all necessary actions i.e. extensions and expiries are reviewed and records updated within the required time limits.
• Maintain accurate records and databases in an accessible and logical format, storing information in accordance with the requirements of the post, NHFT protocols and the Data Protection Act.
• Undertake any other duties that may be reasonably required of this post as requested by the MHL Manager.
• Provide general admin support to the MHL Manager as required.
• Attend meetings, taking and distributing minutes as required by the MHL Manager.
• Take personal responsibility to undertake self-development and keep knowledge up to date.
• Prepare for and participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal with line manager.
• Participate and contribute to team meetings and briefings.
• Participate in surveys and audits carried out within the service to enable improvement and development.
• Work with the MHL Manager and team to develop robust implementation plans for delivery across the Trust to ensure smooth transitions to new legislation and practice.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.