3 months contract with a Local Authority Job Summary: • An experienced and qualified Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) is required to provide statutory Mental Health Act (MHA) duties within a full-time AMHP team based at a hospital site. • The postholder will undertake MHA assessments, coordinate appropriate outcomes for individuals in crisis, and ensure that all work complies with the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, and associated legislation. • Working as part of a rota system, the AMHP will act as a frontline or backup practitioner, collaborating with health, social care, and emergency services to deliver a high-quality, multi-agency mental health response. Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample): • Carry out Mental Health Act assessments in accordance with statutory duties and local policy. • Determine appropriate outcomes, including hospital admission (formal or informal) or the least restrictive alternatives in the community. • Provide gatekeeping for hospital admissions, liaising with Crisis Teams, Home Treatment Teams, and medical professionals. • Offer expert advice and guidance on the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act to colleagues, partner agencies, service users, and carers. • Participate in a borough-wide AMHP rota, covering daytime duties and providing backup as required. • Take referrals and coordinate assessments for Guardianship and Community Treatment Orders (CTOs). • Maintain accurate and timely records of all assessments, decisions, and outcomes in line with data protection and audit requirements. • Work collaboratively with social care, health services, police, legal services, and voluntary sector partners to deliver integrated mental health support. Skills/Experience: • Proven experience conducting complex MHA assessments and making informed, defensible decisions under pressure. • Strong understanding of least restrictive principles and alternatives to hospital admission. • Excellent communication, negotiation, and report-writing skills for working with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies. • Ability to assess and manage risk effectively while maintaining professional boundaries. • Experience of multi-agency working across health, police, and social care services. • Confident use of IT systems and accurate case recording. • Resilient and able to work within a demanding rota environment, including crisis response situations. Additional Information: • Must be a qualified and warranted Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) with current approval to practise. • In-depth knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended 2007) and Mental Capacity Act 2005, including relevant Codes of Practice. • Hours: 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm.