Team Leader Mental Health Officer Service - Waverley Court

Team Leader Mental Health Officer (MHO) Service

Waverley Court

Salary: £56,392 - £67,457

Hours:

36 per week

This is exciting opportunity to join the EHSCP leadership team within our MHO Service. We are looking for a Team leader to manage both the Adults with Incapacity MHO Team and the Forensic MHO Team.

The post is critical for the oversight and effective delivery of both areas of statutory practice which are highly specialised. The post has line management responsibility for 10 WTE MHO posts and 1 social work post.

Overseeing the effective and efficient delivery of all MHO duties under the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000, the post holder will be responsible for allocation of MHO for requests to accompany private applications; oversight of hospital delays as a result of issues of incapacity for welfare decision making; and progressing all local authority welfare guardianship applications.

Additionally, the post holder will provide leadership and delivery of the Forensic MHO team which is responsible for carrying out all MHO tasks under the Criminal Procedures (Scotland) Act 1995 in relation to mentally disordered offenders. This includes providing reports to court for disposal in criminal cases; working with mentally disordered offenders in all levels of forensic hospital security (high, Medium and Low) and providing statutory supervision for high‑risk Restricted Patients on conditional discharge in the community.

We are looking for a committed and skilled individual who has the required motivation, energy and leadership skills to help develop Edinburgh MHO service at time of significant change with the anticipated implementation of the government response to the Mental Health Law Review and following the recent decision of the Supreme Court in relation to deprivation of liberty.

You should demonstrate a proven track record of evidence based continual service improvement and innovation. The ability to communicate a vision for required change and to successfully engage others in the change process.

You should demonstrate a strong commitment to person centred, recovery focused interventions, promoting and upholding the rights of individuals subject to compulsory measures of care and treatment.

Qualification as a social worker registered with the SSSC and Mental Health Officer accreditation is essential.

Previous management experience of managing a team or service within statutory social work is desirable.

As a Team Leader in the MHO Service, you will have a significant role in supporting colleagues within the partnership in their understanding of the impact of significant mental ill health and incapacity with regard decision making, however caused including appropriate application of legislation to help support citizens, promote wellbeing and achieve positive outcomes. This will include providing both informal advice and guidance but also the opportunity to be involved in awareness raising and training.

You will have a key role in supporting the training of future MHOs undertaking the Mental Health Award Programme and in supporting our satellite MHO workforce through mentoring.

This post is regulated work with children and/or protected adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. The preferred candidate will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check. Where an individual has spent a continuous period of 3 months or more out with the UK in the last 5 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required.

You will be required to provide this check. An unconditional offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of both these pre‑employment checks being deemed satisfactory.

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone feels valued and able to be their best. We particularly encourage applications from women for senior roles, as well as people from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities or neurodivergent people, care experienced people, carers and LGBT+ people across all levels of the organisation, all of whom are currently underrepresented.

All applicants will be…