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IRS Practitioner
The closing date is 20 May 2026
This is an exciting opportunity for a senior mental health practitioner to join the Fylde Coast Home Treatment Team. The Fylde Coast Home Treatment Team provides 7 day support to service users who are suffering from mental health concerns that would otherwise require admission to an acute in patient environment. There is a strong focus on a recovery model and effective risk management to provide high quality care in a community setting.
The Fylde Coast Home Treatment Team are always striving towards excellence in service delivery and ensuring that the Trust values are achieved. Currently the team is undergoing an exciting period of change that will see the working together to develop a model of care that ensures effective service delivery in partnership with local services and across the Urgent Care Pathway.
The successful applicant will be dynamic and forward thinking, passionate about working with service users with acute mental health concerns and providing a recovery focused approach. The successful applicant will have the ability to work as part of a Team and in partnership with local services.
Main duties of the job
* The purpose of the Initial Response Service will be to provide an effective and timely assessment by appropriately skilled mental health professionals for individuals suffering from mental ill health. Creating an appropriate pathway avoiding unnecessary escalation to a crisis and/or attendance at the A&E department providing effective care for patients and additional cost saving for these services.
* To act as a key member of the multi‑agency team ensuring the effective first line telephone assessment and triage of service users with suspected mental illness or vulnerability who would likely present to A&E departments or other places of safety.
* To undertake Mental Health Assessments including Risk Assessments, providing rapid and holistic assessment, care and sign posting of individuals presenting with other urgent risk issues.
* To be proficient in referring to other clinicians within the service and/or referring to other services/agencies where necessary.
* To provide a "gatekeeping" function as detailed in the Operating Procedure.
* To provide managerial support to the team in the absence of the Team Manager.
About us
LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.
Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under‑represented groups.
We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.
LSCFT supports flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi‑time.
The wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a wide range of resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.
Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
* Registered Mental Health Nurse or Allied Health Professional Qualification
* Degree/Diploma in Health/Care/Criminal area of work
* Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development
* Specialist knowledge in police practices and procedures
* Specialist knowledge in Criminal Justice environment with experience of legislation and policies
Knowledge
* Understanding of Health and Safety policies and procedures
* Demonstrate understanding of how research has influenced practice
* Can provide evidence of recent professional/personal development
* Can demonstrate the ability to manage change
* Able to demonstrate and understand the concept of community care and the need to develop good networks
Experience
* Post graduate experience working with a range of mental health problems
* Able to work as part of a multidisciplinary/multi agency team
* Experience of assessing, planning and implementing and reviewing care needs in a time limited framework
* Evidence of continuing professional development
* Experience of risk assessment and management
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.
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
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