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Main area Administration Grade NHS AfC: Band 3. Contract: Permanent. Office based. Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week. Job ref 311-H892-26.
Site: Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport. Salary: £24,937 - £26,598 per annum. Salary period: Yearly. Closing: 19/02/2026 23:59.
If you are Kind, Fair, Ingenious and Determined then we want you to come and join our #PennineCarePeople.
PREVIOUS APPLICANTS/CANDIDATES NEED NOT APPLY
A full-time opportunity has arisen in the Mental Health Law Team for a highly motivated, hard-working and reliable individual to undertake administrative duties in relation to the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
This role is office based in the Oasis Building at Stepping Hill Hospital.
Main duties of the job
Applicants will have a strong clerical/secretarial/administrative background with competency in all aspects of office/administration procedures and ICT systems.
This is a varied, busy and demanding position which requires exceptional organisational and communication skills. Duties include ensuring that all statutory requirements under the Mental Health Act legislation are carried out to the highest standard, and working within and maintaining the operational systems including local procedures, standards and protocols.
We are looking for an experienced person with a mature and punctilious attitude who would have the confidence and expertise to deal with sensitive and confidential issues using their own initiative in a calm and empathic manner.
The Mental Health Law Assistant will work under the support and direction of the Mental Health Law Administrator.
Knowledge of Mental Health legislation would be advantageous but not essential as full training will be provided to the right person.
Use of a car or access to mobility is required for cross-covering other sites within Pennine Care as and when required.
Working for our organisation
PREVIOUS APPLICANTS/CANDIDATES NEED NOT APPLY
A full-time opportunity has arisen in the Mental Health Law Team for a highly motivated, hard-working and reliable individual to undertake administrative duties in relation to the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
This role is office based in the Oasis Building at Stepping Hill Hospital.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Take responsibility in assisting the Mental Health Law Administrator to provide efficient and effective administration of Mental Health legislation. Ensure, through the appropriate application of office standards, policies, procedures, protocols, checklists, Codes of Practice and the Reference Guide, that the requirements of the Act are met and the interests of the patient are safeguarded.
Assist in ensuring that patients are only detained as the Act allows; that their treatment and care accords with its provisions and that they are fully informed of, and supported in exercising, their statutory rights.
In the absence of the Mental Health Law Administrator, be responsible for all Mental Health Law administration duties, including the co-ordination and processing of Mental Health Tribunals and all Hospital Managers reviews of detentions and appeals within their relevant timescales.
Be able to work autonomously under the direction of the MHL Administrator, prioritising own work tasks and schedules with high attention to detail and accuracy.
Key responsibilities as Mental Health Law Assistant
Comply with day-to-day office standards, protocols and checklists at all times.
Ensure that all Mental Health Law related documentation is thoroughly scrutinised and processed within the relevant timescales dictated by the Act and Trust Policies.
Carry out day-to-day administration of the Act under the direction of the MHL Administrator and ensure that procedures required by staff within the Trust are communicated effectively and monitored for completion/action. Escalate concerns if procedures are not completed within the team and under the direction of the MHL Administrator to other team/ward managers as required and in a timely manner.
Receive and administratively scrutinise all MHA paperwork on behalf of the Trust, including statutory and non-statutory forms. Ensure section papers are legally acceptable and raise any irregularities to the Mental Health Law Administrator/Co-ordinator/Mental Health Law Manager for action. Maintain a record of scrutiny issues to inform MHL processes within the Trust.
Ensure timely notification of detention dates/expiries/legal requirements to all appropriate professionals and the patient’s nearest relative as appropriate.
Registration on Paris, Mental Health Act recording systems and registers of information on all detained patients. Cross-reference and update files/data for total accuracy across required systems. Maintain reminder systems to meet statutory requirements (e.g., detention expiry, renewal, nearest relative, patient rights, consent to treatment due dates, referrals to MHT/Hospital Managers).
Organise transfers (section 19) to and from the Trust and ensure relevant documentation accompanies the patients. Maintain an effective and safe system for storage of all MHA section papers and ensure accessibility and archiving procedures.
Maintain supply of statutory and non-statutory paperwork and rights leaflets and order supplies as needed.
Deal with general queries from staff regarding detained patients and take details of legal queries for the Mental Health Law Administrator in their absence.
Assist the Mental Health Law Administrator to co-ordinate Care Quality Commission visits by preparing required data, programmes, notices and information for patients and staff.
Ensure inpatient wards and units are supplied with copies of detention papers, rights leaflets and general information relating to the Mental Health Act; promote safeguards such as CQC visits, hearings and advocacy.
Maintain Trust data systems weekly to feed into monitoring and reporting processes and enable statutory returns and local reports on MHA activity.
Meet with clients and/or relatives to offer support and advice relating to rights.
Assist in monitoring/auditing for sections, assessments, treatment orders, etc., and participate in the Trust’s MHL audit programme.
Support other team members including cross-cover across boroughs during busy periods, sickness and leave.
Manage local distribution lists and disseminate information (e.g., weekly ward views, MHL updates) with support from the MHL Administrator.
Support the MHL Administrator with local MHL forums (printing agendas and taking minutes).
Ensure detained patients are informed of reasons for detention and periodically reminded of their rights in line with Trust policy.
Develop and maintain monitoring systems to keep detained patients and Community Treatment Order patients informed of their rights regularly.
Assist patients with legal representation or advocacy advice, including statutory advocacy.
Process requests from Nearest Relatives for discharge and ensure statutory timescales are adhered to. Communicate with Nearest Relative regarding detention where appropriate, respecting Data Protection.
Meet with clients/relatives to discuss rights.
Appeals/referrals to Hospital Managers (Section 23): ensure hearings are dealt with promptly within Trust time limits. Set up hearings by organizing a panel of associate hospital managers and maintain records of requests/outcomes.
Develop and maintain reminder systems to ensure automatic reviews for detention renewals and referrals are arranged within statutory timeframes.
Coordinate with care professionals, solicitors, advocates and relatives to provide reports and information for hearings and ensure compliance with timescales. Escalate if timescales are not met.
Work inclusively to identify process improvements and increase patient involvement in the MHT. Work within Data Protection regulations and Trust confidentiality policies.
Prioritise workload to meet changing demands. Any other duties as required by the Trust.
The job description is indicative of duties and may be reviewed following consultation with the post holder and the Mental Health Law Manager.
General duties
Undertake any other reasonable duty appropriate to the band when requested by Senior Staff. Be familiar with and comply with all Trust and departmental policies, procedures, guidelines. Be aware of and work towards the Trust’s strategic goals.
Person specification
Qualification
* GCSE qualification in English and Maths or equivalent
* Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Access, Excel and PowerPoint
* NVQ 3 or equivalent experience
* Paris Use
Knowledge and Experience
* Previous and demonstrable all-round clerical/administration experience
* Proven data inputting skills on multiple office systems and databases
* Proven speed, accuracy and efficiency in office administration
* Knowledge of administration of the Mental Health Act and the associated Code of Practice
Skills and Abilities
* Ability to prioritise workload
* Excellent written and verbal communication
* Ability to act on own initiative
* Ability to work as a team member
* Ability to work under pressure
Work-related circumstances
* Understanding of UK Data Protection Laws and ability to maintain confidentiality
* Sympathetic view to mental illness
* Access to transport to travel across Pennine Care sites
🌍 Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and requirements on the government website.
📬 After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.
✅ If You're Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email
🔍 Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with NHS Employment Check Standards. These include:
* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their HMRC employment history to cover the most recent three years of employment. This information will be used to validate employment history and references.
If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current government guidance. If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.
🚀 Once Checks Are Complete -
The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.
If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.
Please note:
* We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.
* We may close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. To ensure your application is considered, please apply as soon as possible.
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