Mental Health Practitioner

Job Summary

We are seeking compassionate and dedicated professionals to join our specialized team providing trauma-informed care to individuals with complex mental health needs who pose a significant risk of harm to others. Practitioners act as a bridge between secure, inpatient forensic services and community care, managing risks while supporting rehabilitation.

Our goal is to create a safe environment where our patients can heal, regain control of their lives, and build essential life skills.

We are looking for individuals with a nursing registration who possess strong transferable skills.

We aim to train staff in advanced risk assessment techniques and psychological approaches to patient care to promote recovery and sustainable life skills within the forensic population.

You should be a registered professional with prior experience in mental health settings, preferably in forensic services or community settings.

The post holder must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car/vehicle to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Main Duties of the Job

• The successful candidate will play a key role in preparing individuals for discharge from the hospital environment and reintegration into their community as part of the Care and Treatment Review Process, and dynamic support systems.
• You will be required to recognise when an individual requires increased levels of support to promote a sustainable lifestyle in the Community.
• Promote recovery and support patients to understand their risks and how to work towards greater independence, utilising the expertise of partner agencies and 3rd sector organisations, which will involve working closely with other agencies, including Community services and the Criminal Justice System.
• Demonstrate active clinical and managerial leadership skills within the team, providing education and supervision to junior staff members and other professionals.
• Bring to bear both their clinical, data analysis, and evaluation skills, by working closely with individuals, their circles of care, inpatient ward staff, and the wider community team to support the delivery of a comprehensive service.

About Us

We are the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway. Our teams support adults with a wide range of mental health needs. Because we cover the whole county and both hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the 1.8 million people of Kent and Medway. Rated 'Good' by the CQC, we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 in the community each year.

Our vision is simple: We are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. And everything we do is guided by our values caring, inclusive, curious and confident.

Join us - if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's doing well together.

Person Specification

Training, Qualifications and Registration

Essential

• A degree or equivalent qualification/experience at post registration level
• Further training relevant to role
• Register or equivalent and membership of a professional body.

Desirable

• Talking MATS training or equivalent
• Training in Autism

Experience

Essential

• Ability to travel across a wide geographical area in a timely and flexible manner in accordance with the needs of the job
• Experience of mental health care within the criminal justice system and/or forensic mental health
• Extensive clinical experience including both individual and group work

Desirable

• Experience of working in an autism setting
• Experience working in an inpatient and community setting
• Experience of multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Experience of liaison with a variety of stakeholders both internal and external to the Trust.
• A demonstrable understanding of the Mental Health Act- including a working knowledge of the sections applied in a forensic setting.
• Understanding and expertise in the principles of risk assessment and risk management
• Ability to respond efficiently to complex information within tight deadlines and prioritise accordingly.

Desirable

• Good IT skill, Computer literate
• An ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing

Additional Information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer: [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]

Address: Trevor Gibbens Unit, Maidstone, Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, ME169PL

Employer's website: https://www.kentmedwaymentalhealth.nhs.uk

Contact: Viv Tulett, Operational Team Manager - [contact hidden] - [contact hidden]