Senior Mental Health Liaison Practitioner

at  Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Interviews will be held on 11 February 2025.
Reading Community Mental Health Team are looking for a Band 7 Ward Liaison worker to support patients through their inpatient journey at Prospect Park Hospital in Reading, the successful candidate will provide a key link between community and inpatient services working alongside our partners in Reading Borough Council to support the safe discharge of individuals back to the community in a timely manner
This post offers the opportunity for a Band 6 looking to progress their career or a Band 7 looking to enhance their experience to build relationships, knowledge and expertise and support people through the admission process and their return to the community.
Reading Community Mental Health Team is a busy service and the role is key to the ongoing commitment to support our client group receive the best possible care on their recovery journey. The successful candidate will join an experienced and supportive leadership team and be encouraged to focus on their own career development alongside supporting others
The working pattern for the post holder are as per service operating hours, Monday – Friday 9-5.
The main base is the Prospect House within Prospect Park Hospital site, with some flexible working arrangements.
To be responsible for the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluation of specialist care to support discharge from the ward, including evaluating the work of junior staff and be responsible for developing care packages and programmes of care, including the involvement of multi-agency input around the service users needs.
To maintain and develop relationships with professionals external to the area of service, service users and their significant others (where appropriate) within the area of service/specialism. This would include our inpatient teams, Urgent Care services, partner organisations and care agencies, recognising that these relationships are key to the development of effective support for the individual
To ensure services are delivered in a manner that is appropriate, relevant, and respectful to all community members, recognising the diversity of ethnicity, culture, belief, privilege and capacity of service users and carers.
To ensure services are delivered in area of specialism, that meets the quality and clinical effectiveness standards; to proactively participate in measuring service user and staff satisfaction in service area.
To provide leadership to the multidisciplinary team, actively developing junior staff and imparting knowledge and experience
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

• Professional qualification - RMN, OT, DipSW/CQSW, registered for practice with professional body.
• Experience of working in community mental health services as a part of the multidisciplinary team, promoting good team working and excellent communication; as well as good knowledge and understanding of in-patient care setting.
• Thorough working knowledge of mental health problems and their management, Mental Health Act and its application in hospital and community settings, current mental health policies and application of client-led principles to form non-discriminatory therapeutic relationships with clients and carers.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to analyse situations and be able to make the right decisions under pressure and in emotionally demanding situations.
  For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
  We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
  We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
  We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Joanna Jelonek on 01189605612 or email: joanna.jelonek@berkshire.nhs.uk who’ll be delighted to help.
  Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible