Job Summary
To provide guidance to staff to enable statutory compliance with the Mental Health Act (MHA).
To be responsible for the scheduling and delivery of MHA training in collaboration with the Legal Education Advisor.
To actively participate in MHA quality assurance work to support statutory compliance.
To develop, maintain up to date specialist knowledge of the MHA in order that the post holder can routinely manage, co‑ordinate, provide advice on and maintain compliance from medical staff and clinicians in the administration of the MHA.
To provide specialist MHA advice to Associate Hospital Managers and support the MHA Services Manager with applicable work associated to their role.
Main Duties
* Enable staff to comply with the MHA through robust response to direct queries.
* Accountable and deliver effective and timely scrutiny on medical recommendations, ensuring MHA compliance.
* In line with the Integrated Legal Team training plan and in collaboration with the Legal Education Advisor, develop and deliver high quality relevant training and guidance for staff and partner organisations, as appropriate on application of the MHA and associated legislation.
* Coordinate and deliver targeted meaningful “bite size” MHA training to wards and units within Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
* Maintain accurate training attendance and feedback records.
* Maintain accurate scrutiny of medical recommendations and feedback records.
* Provide accurate, up to date and clear guidance to ensure MHA statutory compliance.
* Take responsibility for self‑directed learning and development to maintain knowledge in the MHA law and associated guidance, regulation and case law.
* Support implementation of relevant legislative change.
* Undertake project work as agreed with the MHA Services Manager.
* Responsible for ordering items as required using the Trust ordering system.
* Attend the Associate Hospital Manager forums and training sessions.
About Us
We’re a large mental health service providing services in Hampshire and Sussex. We want patients and staff to recommend our organisation as a place where they would be happy for their friends and family to be treated.
We are committed to improving patient care, learning from feedback, carrying out research and putting it into practice. We develop new ways of providing services in partnership with others and help staff develop through education and training. We also believe it’s important to learn from when things go wrong and to encourage staff to speak out about any concerns.
We encourage flexible working. We know that a positive work/life balance brings huge health‑related benefits, which has a positive impact on the care we provide. Please speak to us about flexible working, for example, home‑working, part‑time hours, flexible start/finish times or anything else. If it works for you and works for the role, we’ll do our best to make it happen.
Job Details
Date posted: 11 February 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 354-CO-21832
Job location: East or West Sussex to be confirmed, BN11 1HS
Job Responsibilities
The post holder is responsible for providing specialist guidance, advice and training to ensure Trust‑wide statutory compliance with the MHA. This includes coordinating and delivering high‑quality MHA training in collaboration with the Legal Education Advisor, responding to staff queries, and conducting effective, timely scrutiny of medical recommendations.
The role requires maintaining up‑to‑date specialist knowledge of the MHA and associated legislation, supporting the implementation of legislative changes, and contributing to ongoing quality assurance, audit and project work. The post holder will work closely with Associate Hospital Managers, medical staff, clinicians and colleagues across the Integrated Legal Team, providing clear communication on complex legal matters and producing accurate records, feedback and reports as required.
The post holder will also contribute to service improvement, maintain constructive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, support staff supervision processes, and ensure all information handling complies with data protection requirements. The role involves delivering both face‑to‑face and virtual training, travelling across Trust sites when required, and upholding the Trust’s values in promoting equality, diversity, safeguarding and high standards of professional behaviour.
Person Specification
Knowledge/Experience (Essential)
* A sound educational background with good analytical and communication skills (written and verbal).
* An in‑depth knowledge of the MHA, associated legislation and guidance and its application in practice.
* Ability to respond to verbal or written queries from clinical teams and to use knowledge and experience to discuss and advise clinical teams as appropriate.
* Experience of working in the health and social care sector, delivering MHA and MCA training and advice.
Desirable
* City & Guilds Level 3 Education and Training qualification or willingness to complete.
* Specialist knowledge of key legislation: Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act 1983 and how these interplay with each other and other relevant legislation.
* Mental Health Law and Practice Certificate (undergraduate Level 4) from University of Northumbria or equivalent level of demonstrable knowledge and experience/training in mental health law and willingness to complete.
Skills (Essential)
* Must be able to successfully receive and communicate complex, sensitive or contentious information on use of the Mental Capacity Act and other relevant legislation, explaining legal framework options to clinical teams and others (as appropriate).
* Ability to prioritise own workload and that of others, dealing with conflicting demands.
* Ability to work accurately and with attention to detail.
* Excellent organisational and time‑management skills.
* Ability to understand and interpret statutory law and statutory and non‑statutory guidance.
Statement (Essential)
* Can demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the Trust.
* Self‑motivated, adaptable and flexible with a conscientious approach to work.
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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
Employer Details
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
East or West Sussex to be confirmed, BN11 1HS
Website: https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/
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