Mental Health Law Officer
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
The closing date is 20 May 2026
Whilst we welcome all applications from all suitable candidates, unfortunately, we will not be offering sponsorship for this role.
An enthusiastic, motivated and diligent candidate is sought to provide legal administrative support within the Mental Health Legislation and Compliance Department. The successful candidate 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 organizational skills, while applying a high degree of confidentiality and accuracy to their work.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be expected to co‑coordinate 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 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 friendly 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.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organization with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of ‘Outstanding’ from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.
Our family of over 3500 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services.
The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers – everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Our Trust values are:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it!
Job 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 users 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.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING
* Educated to NVQIII level or equivalent relevant experience.
* Recent appropriate experience of office procedures and systems
* ECDL (or equivalent)
* Knowledge of Mental Health Act and Code of Practice
* Certificate of Mental Health Law, Policy and Practice
* Proficient in use of Electronic Patient Record system.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE /SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE
* Experience of working in a busy office environment
* Experience in the application of the Mental Health Act
* Experience of Mental Health Act/Health Records administration.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
* Proficient in use of Microsoft Office applications
* Experience of maintaining an efficient filing system, both paper and computer based.
* Ability to communicate information effectively
* Ability to provide information in an emphatic, reassuring manner to service users and, where appropriate, their relatives.
* Ability to create PowerPoint presentations for training programmes.
ANALYTICAL SKILLS
* Able to prioritise work where there are conflicting deadlines
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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Kingfisher Court, Kingsley Green, Harper Lane, Radlett, WD7 9HQ
£29,812 to £32,715 a year per annum, pro rata (5% HCAS Included)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
367-CORP-101258
Job locations
Kingfisher Court, Kingsley Green, Harper Lane, Radlett, WD7 9HQ
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