Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) Service
AMHP/Trainee AMHP posts (Exeter, North Devon, South Devon, East & Mid Devon)
We are currently recruiting both qualified and Trainee AMHPs to join our daytime AMHP service.
These posts are assigned to Devon Partnership NHS Trust and are open to registered social workers, occupational therapists, mental health nurses and chartered psychologists currently approved (or eligible for approval) to practise as an AMHP, subject to completing the necessary re-approval portfolio process. Trainee AMHP applicants must also be from the same eligible registered professional backgrounds, with AMHP training provided within the role.
Candidates must have the appropriate professional registration for their discipline and provide a registration number with their application.
These post are full time, Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week (consideration will be given to part-time working. Successful Trainee AMHP candidates will need to be available full time during the course).
AMHPs at H grade £42,403 - £46,464
Trainee AMHPs at G grade £37,336 - £41,418 (rising to H grade on successful completion of the course)
We particularly welcome applications from global majority and minority ethnic communities who are currently under-represented in our workforce.
Our Service
The Devon AMHP Service is recognised as a national example of good practice and has been involved in the development of the AMHP National Service Standards and other initiatives related to the role. We are constantly seeking ways to improve our service, including how best to capture and utilise the voices of those that have experienced assessment under the Mental Health Act and to further improve practice for the benefit of those who encounter our service. We are also committed to improving the service we offer in order to help address the types of racial disparity in mental health services, as highlighted during the Review of the Mental Health Act and the subsequent legislative and practice developments. We are also committed to supporting the recommendations of Devon County Council’s Race Equality Audit.
Approved Mental Health Professionals (assigned)
The role of daytime AMHPs within Devon County Council has significantly changed in recent times. Consisting of four locally dedicated AMHP teams, with support from those AMHPs based in Adult Social Care. Our AMHPs no longer carry caseloads within community teams. Instead, our AMHPs work more flexibly with internal and external partners to ensure a more robust response to those individuals who are at risk of being detained, or restricted, under the Mental Health Act. Along with frontline duty, our AMHPs routinely and proactively work with crisis teams, wards, community teams, street triage, police, CAMHS and other services to ensure the most appropriate legal response. In addition, our AMHPs will also have a small allocation of community MHA and social supervision patients with the aim of supporting those individuals and their treating teams with the management of those orders.
Trainee AMHPs (assigned)
In order to apply for a Trainee post, you must be able to demonstrate an ability to study at Masters’ Level. This could include completion or submission of the Bournemouth University Graduate Certificate in Specialist Practice in Mental Health or equivalent DSP (Developing Specialist Practice at Masters Level).
Other acceptable qualifications include the Bournemouth University “Risk and Decision Making in Practice” module at Masters Level or the Best Interest Assessors qualification at Masters Level. There is also potential to consider those applicants with extensive mental health experience and an ability to demonstrate a high level of professional competence in areas such as risk management, complex case holding and undertaking senior responsibilities.
As with all candidates, the applicant must be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient evidence of professional practice and academic ability for AMHP training at interview. Any final offer of a Trainee AMHP position will only be given upon evidence of successfully meeting the pre-course requirements and appropriate references.
Once in post, the Trainee will work within their locality AMHP team under the supervision of their AMHP Team Manager. The aim is for the Trainee to have the opportunity to experience the role and its complexity in full prior to the course.
The Trainee will support duty AMHPs on a variety of MHA assessments, spend time with the Central AMHP Team, provide reports to Mental Health Tribunals and engage in follow up work with individuals, their families and other professionals. Where agreed, short placements with non-AMHP mental health teams
The Trainee will then be supported to submit an application to Bournemouth University (estimated to be January 2025) and, if successful, join the AMHP training course (estimated to start in April 2025).
The course is approximately six months long and full time. It is essential that candidates can commit to the whole timetable, including over the summer holiday period.
The Daytime AMHP Service will reserve the right to delay access to the course if further professional development of the candidate is felt to be required. It is important for prospective candidates to understand that every effort is made to support Trainees through this process, but that it may be necessary to delay or even cease the individual’s progress at any point in the process.
All efforts will be made to minimise the risk of this and further detail on this will be provided at interview. Where progress is not considered possible, or the academic elements are eventually failed, redeployment opportunities will be explored with the individual.
Those who are currently employed by Devon Partnership NHS Trust may also be redeployed back through that agency’s processes.
As course dates are subject to change, consideration may need to be given to a temporary redeployment to another mental health team. Preference will be given to a role that will support the Trainee’s identified development needs.
It is advised that prospective candidates undertake the following e-learning module about the AMHP role prior to submitting an application:
For free unregistered access: Bottom of the home page - “How to access” – select “View” – then click “The Role of the Approved Mental Health Professional” – then “Play” – then “continue”.
Professional support and on-going training
All AMHPs and Trainees receive regular individual and peer group supervision and appraisal. Teams are supported to have regular team days. Successful candidates will be expected to contribute to both their own learning and that of others. Devon County Council also offers a programme of post-qualifying AMHP training in order to support your practice and on-going approval as an AMHP.
As a service we are keen to support colleagues to find creative and interesting ways to share specialist AMHP knowledge and support the learning of those outside our team.
About you
You will be a be a registered social worker, occupational therapist or mental health nurse with a proven commitment to professional development and experience of working with people in mental health crises. In particular, we are interested in those who are seeking to develop and improve themselves and AMHP services and are open to working flexibly and creatively where-ever possible. You should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of co-production and a willingness to engage with experts by experience.
If already a qualified AMHPs, you should hold current AMHP approval or be prepared to submit a portfolio to be re-approved in-line with Devon County Council’s policies.
You must be able to demonstrate an excellent appreciation and understanding of the European Convention of Human Rights, be committed to the principles of mental health legislation, with a strong focus on recovery principles and awareness of the impact mental disorder can have on an individual, their family, carers and supporters. You should have demonstrable experience in statutory mental health services, with a specific focus on risk management and multi-agency working. While AMHP practise often focusses on the independence of their decision-making, we also strongly value team working and support as peers to help each other achieve the high standards that we aspire to.
What we can offer you
1. We are committed to your continuous professional development, doing all we can to help you to get the most from your career. You will receive excellent support and supervision, with regular opportunities to discuss and reflect on your practice, both with your line manager and peers.
2. We offer 26 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays, rising incrementally to 31 days after 5 years’ service.
3. Flexible working opportunities are available, these include part-time hours, flexitime, compressed working hours and homeworking (this is subject to the needs of the role – please discuss at further at interview)
4. Offer an opportunity to enter a generous Local Government Pension Scheme .
5. As a place to live and work, Devon is hard to beat with top-performing schools, universities, vibrant cities, pretty villages and some of the most scenic coast and countryside in the UK. Living and working in Devon as a AMHP and Trainee AMHP has never been more attractive.
6. If you are looking to make the move to Devon, subject to qualifying conditions, relocation support of up to £10,000, may be available.
7. Visa sponsorship may also be offered as part of the relocation support package, terms and conditions apply
Please indicate on you application form:
8. If you are applying for a Trainee AMHP or qualified AMHP role
9. Your area of preference
10. If neither of the interview dates are suitable