• Job Description

  Req#: C9364-26-0170?language=en&page=834&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  *Previous applicants need not apply*

  An exciting opportunity has arisen at Essex University Partnership NHS Foundation Trust for a Mental Health Act Assistant.

  The Mental Health Act office is responsible for ensuring that the Trust complies with Mental Health legislation. The department provides advice to professionals, service users and carers regarding the lawful application of the Mental Health Act

  The Mental Health Act Assistant will support the Mental Health Act Administrators and Managers in the day to day administration of the Mental Health Act, ensuring that correct procedures have been followed accurately and on time.

  No previous experience of Mental Health law is required as this is an entry level post and full training will be provided to the successful candidate. The post will be an attractive opportunity to anyone wanting to work within Mental Health Law and gain exposure to the Mental Health legislation.

  The successful candidate must have experience working in an administrative/secretarial environment and have exceptional organisational and communication skills; you will need to be self-motivated, flexible and able to work within a busy team.

  Comprehensive experience of working with Microsoft Packages is essential. Accuracy and attention to detail are vital to this position along with the ability to prioritise your workload.

  Main duties of the job

  • Responsible for the accurate administration and recording of Mental Health Act activity onto the electronic patient systems.
  • To act as a point of contact for the team and deal with a variety of routine and complex correspondence on a day to day basis as well as providing administrative support to the Mental Health Act team in matters relating to the Mental Health Act and to assist in the overall efficient running of the department.
  • Undertake telephone email and written communication with a wide range of clinical staff. Record details of communication in relevant files and advise the Mental Health Act team of any issues that they may need to be aware of.
  • Responsible for maintaining filing systems on a daily basis.
  • Open incoming mail and action as appropriate

  About us

  Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

  • Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
  • Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
  • If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
  • We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

  Benefits

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
  • Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
  • Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
  • £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
  • Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

  Work that wraps around your needs

  • Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
  • Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

  Details

  Date posted

  26 February 2026

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 3

  Salary

  £24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time

  Reference number

  364-A-9676-A

  Job locations

  Brockfield House

  Kemble Way, Runwell

  Wickford

  SS11 7FE

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  ROLE SUMMARY

  To ensure that the Mental Health Act administration service functionalities are as required in line with the modernisation of our current Mental Health Services in order to be safe, sound and supportive to our service users and carers.

  To ensure that the Trusts policies and procedures comply with and are followed, within the statutory requirements of the Mental Health Act 1983.

  Producing work to a high standard and to promote quality at all times. To operate as part of a dedicated team providing cover for each other when and where necessary.

  To provide administrative support to the Mental Health Act Managers, Mental Health Act Officers and Mental Health Act Senior Manager in the administration of the Mental Health Act across the Trust.

  KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  Please note that this role outline serves to provide you with an illustrative example of the duties and responsibilities you may be expected to undertake during the course of your normal duties. It is not an exhaustive list and you will therefore be required to undertake other responsibilities and duties that are considered to commensurate with the band.

  • Responsible for the accurate administration and recording of Mental Health Act activity onto the electronic patient systems.
  • To act as point of contact for the team and deal with a variety of routine and complex correspondence on a day to day basis as well as providing administrative support to the Mental Health Act team in matters relating to the Mental Health Act and to assist in the overall efficient running of the department.
  • Undertake telephone email and written communication with a wide range of clinical staff. Record details of communication in relevant files and advise the Mental Health Act team of any issues that they may need to be aware of.
  • Responsible for maintaining filing systems on daily basis.
  • Open incoming mail and action as appropriate seeking guidance where necessary.
  • Under the direction of the MHA Administrator undertake the printing of documentation from the MHA office printing folder.
  • Under the direction of the MHA Administrator undertaken the uploading/scanning of MHA documentation to the clinical systems.
  • Under the direction of the MHA Administrator/officer complete the Mental Health Review Tribunal telephone contact information sheets, meeting the required timeframes as appropriate.
  • Under the direction of the MHA staff prepare section papers that need to be submitted to a solicitor in regard to a patients Mental Health Review Tribunal.
  • Under the direction of the MHA staff undertake the archiving of detention papers.
  • Attend Mental Health Act team meetings.

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  ROLE SUMMARY

  To ensure that the Mental Health Act administration service functionalities are as required in line with the modernisation of our current Mental Health Services in order to be safe, sound and supportive to our service users and carers.

  To ensure that the Trusts policies and procedures comply with and are followed, within the statutory requirements of the Mental Health Act 1983.

  Producing work to a high standard and to promote quality at all times. To operate as part of a dedicated team providing cover for each other when and where necessary.

  To provide administrative support to the Mental Health Act Managers, Mental Health Act Officers and Mental Health Act Senior Manager in the administration of the Mental Health Act across the Trust.

  KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  Please note that this role outline serves to provide you with an illustrative example of the duties and responsibilities you may be expected to undertake during the course of your normal duties. It is not an exhaustive list and you will therefore be required to undertake other responsibilities and duties that are considered to commensurate with the band.

  • Responsible for the accurate administration and recording of Mental Health Act activity onto the electronic patient systems.
  • To act as point of contact for the team and deal with a variety of routine and complex correspondence on a day to day basis as well as providing administrative support to the Mental Health Act team in matters relating to the Mental Health Act and to assist in the overall efficient running of the department.
  • Undertake telephone email and written communication with a wide range of clinical staff. Record details of communication in relevant files and advise the Mental Health Act team of any issues that they may need to be aware of.
  • Responsible for maintaining filing systems on daily basis.
  • Open incoming mail and action as appropriate seeking guidance where necessary.
  • Under the direction of the MHA Administrator undertake the printing of documentation from the MHA office printing folder.
  • Under the direction of the MHA Administrator undertaken the uploading/scanning of MHA documentation to the clinical systems.
  • Under the direction of the MHA Administrator/officer complete the Mental Health Review Tribunal telephone contact information sheets, meeting the required timeframes as appropriate.
  • Under the direction of the MHA staff prepare section papers that need to be submitted to a solicitor in regard to a patients Mental Health Review Tribunal.
  • Under the direction of the MHA staff undertake the archiving of detention papers.
  • Attend Mental Health Act team meetings.

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • IT qualification

  Desirable

  • Qualification in Microsoft Packages

  Knowledge

  Essential

  • Experience working with Microsoft Packages

  Desirable

  • Previous experience working in the NHS

  Skills

  Essential

  • Good oral and written skills based on fluency on the English language

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • IT qualification

  Desirable

  • Qualification in Microsoft Packages

  Knowledge

  Essential

  • Experience working with Microsoft Packages

  Desirable

  • Previous experience working in the NHS

  Skills

  Essential

  • Good oral and written skills based on fluency on the English language

  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

  Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

  Address

  Brockfield House

  Kemble Way, Runwell

  Wickford

  SS11 7FE

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

  Address

  Brockfield House

  Kemble Way, Runwell

  Wickford

  SS11 7FE

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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