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Main area Administration Grade NHS AfC: Band 3 Contract Permanent: Office based Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Office Based) Job ref 311-H896-26
Site Tameside General Hospital Town Ashton-under-Lyne Salary £24,937 - £26,598 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 24/02/2026 23:59
If you are Kind, Fair, Ingenious and Determined then we want you to come and join our #PennineCarePeople
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, Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards are carried out to the highest standard, 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 has 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 is advantageous but not essential as full training will be provided to the right person.
Use of a car or access to a means of mobility is required for cross‑covering other sites within Pennine Care as and when required.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Assist the Mental Health Law Administrator in providing efficient administration of Mental Health legislation, ensuring through office standards, policies, procedures, protocols, checklists, associated Codes of Practice and the Reference Guide that the requirements of the Act are met and the interests of the patient are safeguarded.
Ensure that patients are only detained as the Act allows; that their treatment and care accords fully 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, take responsibility for all Mental Health Law administration duties, including coordination and processing of Mental Health Tribunals and all Hospital Manager reviews of detentions and appeals within relevant timescales.
Work autonomously under the direction of the MHL Administrator, prioritising own tasks and schedules, ensuring high level attention to detail and accuracy.
Key responsibilities as Mental Health Law Assistant
* Comply with day‑to‑day office standards, protocol and checklists.
* Carefully scrutinise and process all Mental Health Law related documentation 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 procedures required by staff are communicated, monitored and escalated if not completed in a timely manner.
* Receive and administratively scrutinise all MHA paperwork on behalf of the Trust, including statutory and non‑statutory forms.
* Ensure that section papers are legally acceptable, raising any irregularities or legal deficits to the Mental Health Law Administrator/Co‑ordinator/Mental Health Law Manager for action.
* Maintain a record of all scrutiny issues to inform MHL processes and monitor individual papers.
* Notify timely of detention dates/expiries/legal requirements to all appropriate professionals and the patient’s nearest relative as appropriate.
* Register on Paris, Mental Health Act recording systems and registers of all detained patients, cross‑referencing and updating files/data for total accuracy and recording any changes in legal status across required systems.
* Follow reminder systems to ensure all relevant professionals receive timely reminders to meet statutory requirements (expiry of detention, renewal, nearest relative, patient rights, consent to treatment, referrals to MHT/Hospital Manager etc.).
* Organise transfers (section 19) to and from the Trust and ensure that relevant documentation accompanies patients.
* Maintain an effective and safe storage system for all MHA section papers that meets local requirements and ensures accessibility and archiving procedures.
* Ensure an adequate supply of statutory and non‑statutory paperwork and rights leaflets, ordering supplies when necessary.
* Deal with general queries from staff about detained patients; take details of legal queries for the Administrator in their absence.
* Assist in coordinating Care Quality Commission visits, preparing required data, programmes, notices and information for patients and staff.
* Ensure wards and units are supplied with copies of detention papers, rights leaflets and general information and work with them to improve access to MHA information and promote key safeguards such as CQC visits, hearings and advocacy.
* Maintain Trust’s data systems, update and quality‑check weekly to feed into monitoring, reporting and statutory returns on MHA activity.
* Meet with clients and/or relatives, offering support and advice on their rights.
* Assist in monitoring/auditing sections, assessments, treatment orders etc.; participate in the Trust’s MHL audit programme as required.
* Support other team members, including cross‑covering other boroughs during busy periods, sickness and leave.
* Manage local distribution lists and disseminate relevant information, including weekly ward views and MHL updates.
* Assist in printing agendas and taking minutes for local MHL forums.
* Issue standard letters to ensure detained patients are informed of reasons for their detention and periodically advise them of their rights in line with Trust policy.
* Develop and maintain monitoring systems for patients on Community Treatment Orders, ensuring regular advice on rights.
* Assist patients with legal representation or advocacy advice, including statutory advocacy services.
* Process requests from Nearest Relatives for discharge, ensuring statutory timescales are adhered to.
* Write to and provide the Nearest Relative with information on their relative’s detention, adhering to the Data Protection Act.
* Ensure all appeals to Hospital Managers (Section 23) are dealt with promptly and processed within Trust‑specified time limits.
* Set up hearings by organising panels of Associate Hospital Managers, keeping records of requests and outcomes for monitoring.
* Maintain reminder systems for automatic reviews of patients whose detention has been renewed, including automatic referrals following statutory time periods.
* Liaise with relevant care professionals, solicitors, advocates and relatives to ensure required reports, information and documentation are available and that Trust complies with statutory timescales.
* Book venues and arrange refreshments for hearings and meetings.
* Escalate any issues in process through the agreed escalation framework for the Trust.
* Identify opportunities to improve processes and increase patient involvement in MHT.
* Work within Data Protection legislation and Trust policies on confidentiality, ensuring a Safe Haven environment.
* Safeguard confidentiality of information relating to patients and staff at all times.
* Abide by all relevant Trust policies and procedures.
* Actively contribute to the Trust’s commitment to anti‑discriminatory practice.
* Prioritise workload to meet constantly changing demands.
* Perform any other duties as required by the Trust.
The job description is indicative of the duties required of the post and does not form part of the contract of employment. It may be subject to review at any time following consultation with the post holder and the Mental Health Law Manager.
General duties of all post holders:
* 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, protocols and guidelines.
* 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 skills in accurate data input on a number of different office systems and databases
* Proven skills in speed, accuracy and efficiency in all aspects of office administration
* Knowledge of administration of the Mental Health Act and the associated Code of Practice
Skills and Abilities
* Ability to prioritise workload
* Excellent communication skills, written and verbal
* 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 pay due regard to sensitive issues and confidentiality
* Sympathetic view to mental illness
* Access to transport as required to travel across sites within Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
🌍 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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