Approved Mental Health Professional

Our client, based in Leicester, is seeking an experienced Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) to join their Mental Health Team. This is a specialist role working with adults experiencing significant mental health difficulties and requiring assessment, intervention, and coordination under mental health legislation. The successful candidate will undertake statutory AMHP duties and work collaboratively with mental health services, health professionals, emergency services, service users, carers, and partner agencies to ensure individuals receive timely, appropriate, and lawful interventions.

The role involves coordinating and undertaking Mental Health Act assessments, making informed decisions regarding compulsory admission where necessary, and ensuring that the least restrictive options are always considered. Working within a multi-disciplinary environment, you will be responsible for balancing individual rights, risk management, safeguarding responsibilities, and the promotion of recovery-focused outcomes.

You will utilise your professional expertise and sound judgement to support adults with complex mental health needs, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation including the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended), Mental Capacity Act 2005, Care Act 2014, and Human Rights Act 1998.
This position requires a highly skilled practitioner who can work autonomously in challenging situations, manage complex risk, and contribute to the effective delivery of high-quality mental health services within a supportive and collaborative team environment.

Key Responsibilities

Core duties include:

• Undertaking the full range of statutory Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) duties in accordance with the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended)
• Coordinating and leading Mental Health Act assessments for individuals experiencing acute mental health crises
• Making professional decisions regarding applications for compulsory admission to hospital under relevant sections of the Mental Health Act
• Ensuring all assessments and interventions are conducted in accordance with the principles of least restrictive practice and individual rights
• Assessing and managing risk relating to individuals presenting with complex mental health needs, self-neglect, self-harm, suicide risk, or risks to others
• Working collaboratively with psychiatrists, mental health practitioners, hospitals, emergency services, housing providers, and community services to facilitate effective interventions
• Undertaking comprehensive assessments of need, risk, and strengths to inform appropriate care planning and decision-making
• Applying the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Best Interest principles when required
• Responding effectively to urgent and emergency mental health situations, often outside normal office hours where applicable
• Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, guidance, case law, and professional standards
• Supporting individuals, carers, and families through complex mental health processes, providing information and advice regarding rights and available services
• Contributing to safeguarding enquiries and risk management plans where mental health concerns intersect with safeguarding responsibilities
• Preparing detailed and accurate reports, records, and statutory documentation within required timescales
• Attending and contributing to multi-disciplinary meetings, case conferences, tribunals, and professional forums
• Providing professional consultation and guidance to colleagues and partner agencies regarding mental health legislation and practice
• Supporting less experienced practitioners through mentoring, reflective practice, and professional development activities
• Promoting recovery-focused, person-centred approaches that maximise independence, wellbeing, and positive outcomes
• Maintaining high standards of professional practice and continuous professional development

Qualifications & Experience
Professional Qualification

• MA, BA or BSc in Social Work, Diploma in Social Work or CQSW

Registration

• Must be registered with Social Work England
• Must hold a current Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) qualification and warrant

Experience

• Significant post-qualified Social Work experience within Adult Social Care or Mental Health Services
• Experience undertaking Mental Health Act assessments as a practising AMHP
• Experience working with adults experiencing severe and enduring mental health difficulties
• Experience assessing and managing complex mental health risks
• Experience working within multi-disciplinary mental health settings
• Experience applying the Mental Capacity Act and Best Interest decision-making processes
• Experience undertaking safeguarding interventions where mental health concerns are present
• Experience providing professional advice, support, or mentoring to colleagues

Legislation Knowledge

Strong working knowledge of:

• Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended)
• Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Care Act 2014
• Human Rights Act 1998
• Mental Health Act Code of Practice
• Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)
• Safeguarding Adults legislation, policies, and procedures
• Relevant case law and statutory guidance relating to mental health practice

Skills

• Excellent knowledge of Mental Health Act legislation and AMHP practice
• Strong assessment, analytical, and professional decision-making skills
• Ability to manage highly complex and sensitive situations effectively
• Excellent risk assessment and risk management capabilities
• Strong partnership-working and multi-agency collaboration skills
• Ability to work autonomously and exercise sound professional judgement under pressure
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong report writing and statutory documentation skills
• Ability to build effective relationships with service users, carers, professionals, and partner agencies
• Skilled in negotiation, conflict resolution, and crisis intervention
• Strong organisational and time-management abilities
• Good IT skills and experience maintaining accurate electronic case records

Why Liquid Personnel?

• Free DBS and compliance service
• Twice weekly payroll and ‘Faster Pay’ service, getting you paid more quickly
• Access to exclusive roles that aren’t available from other agencies
• Free access to Liquid’s exclusive social work training and CPD portal
• Your own dedicated consultant with extensive social work knowledge
• Access to a wide selection of social work positions across the UK
• “Refer a Friend” bonus – get £500 for each social worker you refer who we successfully place*
• “Find your own job” bonus – get £250 for bringing your own position to us *

Liquid Personnel is an equal opportunities employer. Liquid Personnel Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. * Terms and conditions apply to our bonus schemes.

Reasonable Adjustments:

If you consider yourself to have a disability or require any reasonable adjustment during the recruitment process or within the workplace, please highlight this at the earliest opportunity by contacting our team. With this information, we will provide appropriate support to you throughout the process and into your work placement.

We are unable to support or accept applications from candidates who are residents within the Red or Amber list of the Code of practice for the international recruitment of health and social care personnel in England, based on the World Health Organisation (WHO) Workforce Support and Safeguard List.

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