Job overview
Senior Mental Health Practitioner – Supported Transfer of Care (STC)
We are transforming the way we support individuals stepping down from secondary care mental health services to Primary Care. The STC Practitioner will play a critical role in this transformation by providing visible clinical and professional leadership, leading on the coordination of safe supported discharge and transition into community-based holistic care, and shaping service development alongside partners.
This model supports people for up to 12 months post-discharge, using a named worker approach, with strong emphasis on:
· Holistic and preventative support
· Physical health and wellbeing
· Meaningful social connection
· Recovery-focused, person centred care
· Strategic community-engagement and relationships
This role requires a candidate with a strong understanding of the NHS Long Term Plan and enthusiasm for working within the emerging place-based neighbourhood model in Newham. This includes improving access to mental health services, strengthening community-based provision, and supporting prevention and recovery. Applicants should demonstrate how these priorities inform their clinical practice and service delivery.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking someone with experience in service development, including designing, improving, or implementing services that enhance service-user outcomes and access. This may include quality improvement work, pathway redesign and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and community partners. Candidates should also have an understanding of the wider mental health system, key partners and areas of system pressure.
An interest in developing new pathways is essential, with a commitment to person-centred approaches that promote independence and community support.
The STC Practitioner will be autonomous and self-directed, able to manage their workload, make confident decisions, and work flexibly within a developing service. Strong communication skills and the ability to work across partners and support change will be important.
The successful candidate will have individual supervision, wider team support and opportunities for CPD.
1. Question added after the supporting statement - 200 words.
What do you think the difficulties are working in a new pathway and can you give a example as to when you have managed a conflict at work?
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Working for our organisation
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see job description in documents
2. To promote and offer a range of clinical and non-clinical interventions within CIMHS / Primary Care.
3. To provide assessment and care planning expertise relevant to your profession
4. To lead on the development of a new care pathway between Primary Care, CIMHS and CRT.
5. To provide effective signposting to a range of health, social, voluntary sector and community-based resources and services.
6. To work with service users to: support shared decision-making about self-management; provide brief psychological interventions, where qualified to do so and where appropriate;
7. To, where possible, operate without the need for formal referral from GPs, including accepting some direct bookings where appropriate.
8. The role will not directly line manage staff in CIMHS/CRT, but will offer support, training, supervision and matrix management of staff who are operating an STC Model or caseload where necessary. Acting as a professional lead for the Pathway
9. To support the CIMHS, CRT and GP workforce on this new pathway. Including the delivery of any relevant training and induction.
10. To attend relevant meetings and work collaboratively with colleagues to enhance patient care and co-produce the new care pathway.
11. Engage service users and stakeholders throughout the development of the model.
Person specification
Education and training
Essential criteria
12. Registered Professional in either Nursing (Mental Health), Social Work or Occupational Therapy, with current registration with NMC, Social Work England or HCPC.
13. Evidence of post registration continued professional development, qualifications or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential criteria
14. Experience practicing as a Mental Health professional in the Community
15. Previous experience of functioning as a team member
16. Previous experience of Management and Clinical Supervision, including annual appraisal
17. Previous experience of service development, quality improvement and of bringing innovation and new ideas to practice
18. Previous experience of working within the health or care system
Desirable criteria
19. Lived-experience of accessing mental health services
20. Experience of using DIALOG+ (as a service user or professional)
Knowledge and skills
Essential criteria
21. Sound knowledge of the applicable professional body code of practice
22. Good knowledge and training of adult safeguarding
23. Good knowledge of current and relevant local and national agendas impacting Community Mental Health, including the Community Mental Health Framework for Adults and Older Adults
24. Sound knowledge and understanding of the Mental Health Act and Care Act, relevant national standards and other relevant national policies.
25. Excellent knowledge & understanding of recovery principles
26. Knowledge of quality improvement metrics and tools including relevant audits to
27. Excellent communications skills
28. Skills in using electronic clinical systems and associated Microsoft 365 applications
Desirable criteria
29. Knowledge of NICE guidance in relation to a wide range of mental disorders and the ability to ensure that evidence based practice with clear clinical outcomes is embedded into practice.