About this role
Job summary
With significant changes on the horizon to the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act, we are looking to appoint aMental Health Legislation Assistant to support the delivery of an effective and responsive Mental Health Legislation Service within BSMHFT.
Based within the Mental Health Legislation Office at Oleaster, you will receive, scrutinise and process documentation relating to patients' admission, treatment and care under the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act, helping to ensure legal requirements and statutory deadlines are met. While knowledge of mental health legislation would be advantageous, full training can be provided.
We are seeking an experienced administrator who is organised, adaptable and able to manage competing priorities. You will have excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail and confidence using Microsoft 365 applications, particularly Excel, Word, Teams, Copilot and PowerPoint.
The successful candidate will handle sensitive information with professionalism and discretion, work collaboratively with a wide range of professionals and external agencies, and be willing to travel across Birmingham and Solihull to provide Trust-wide support when required.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop specialist knowledge, contribute to patient rights and legal compliance, and play a key role during an exciting period of legislative change. Excellent development opportunities are available.
Main duties of the job
As a Mental Health Legislation Assistant, you will act as the first point of contact for patients, visitors and professionals, dealing with enquiries maintaining confidentiality at all times. You will support the administration of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act by receiving, scrutinising and processing legal documentation, ensuring accuracy, compliance and adherence to statutory deadlines. You will support Mental Health Tribunals, Hospital Managers' Hearings, renewals and reviews by coordinating correspondence, arranging hearings, monitoring deadlines and maintaining accurate records. The role includes monitoring and liaising with clinical teams and external agencies, identifying documentation errors or omissions and escalating concerns appropriately.
You will maintain patient records, produce activity reports, manage case files and provide administrative support to the Mental Health Legislation Administrator and wider department. The role includes providing cross-cover during periods of absence, supporting new staff, maintaining records, and participating in service improvements. You will be required to comply with Trust policies, undertake mandatory training and maintain up-to-date knowledge through continuing professional development and regular appraisal.
About us
Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.
Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people's lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.
Job description Job responsibilities
We are currently advertising for a Mental Health Legislation Assistant within the Mental Health Legislation Department at Oleaster, B15 2SY
Full Time, Permanent (37.5hrs)
Please note this is an Administrative Role based at Oleaster MHL Office. There may be some requirement for cross cover at other trust sites dependant on service need.
For further information about the main responsibilities please view the attached job description and person specification.
We highly recommend you submit your application as soon as possible, this post may close earlier than the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.
We are unable to support applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work the United Kingdom (UK)
Person Specification
TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS Essential
GCSE English & Maths Grade C or above or an equivalent qualification Willingness to undertake training to gain certificate in Mental Health Law and Practice
Desirable
Certificate in Mental Health Law and Practice
KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE / SKILLS Essential
Proficient in Microsoft Office - Word Excellent written and spoken English & Excellent accuracy and numeric skills. Experience of working to deadlines & Ability to prioritise and organise workload Ability to work equally well as an effective team member and independently with minimum supervision Proficient in Microsoft Office - Excel Proficient in Microsoft Office - Outlook and Teams Ability to produce electronic reports A good knowledge and experience of the Mental Health Act & procedures Ability to work within established procedures and guidelines. Ability to travel across the sites. A well-motivated, reliable and approachable individual with a confident and mature attitude, able to work independently while demonstrating empathy, patience, tact, diplomacy, and flexibility when supporting service users and colleagues.
Desirable
Knowledge or experience of RIO, or other patient administration systems or Experience of using a NHS database A good knowledge and experience of the Mental Health Act & procedures Previous experience as an MH Legislation Assistant Ability to communicate appropriately with people who have had or are recovering from mental health problems. Knowledge of Data Protection Act/Freedom of information Ability to deal with difficult people and situations.
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.
Employer details Employer name Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address 1 - Oleaster (B15 2SY)
Birmingham
B15 2SY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)