AMHP Senior Social Worker

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Essex County Council’s (ECC) fast paced, dynamic and supportive dedicated Approved Mental Health Service (AMHP) Service.

Operating within ECC as a hub and spoke model, the AMHP Service is transforming, and posts have become available as we expand the core aspect of the daytime service. The transformation of the service is from one centralised AMHP ‘hub’ to a countywide service.

The Service takes referral 9-5 Monday to Friday and is supported by the Essex Emergency Duty Service outside of these times.

The Role

The Approved Mental Health Professional Service has a unique position in ensuring compliance with the statutory functions imposed upon the Local Authority by the Mental Health Act. The service will be responsible for delivering the AMHP rota. The service will undertake statutory assessments, triaging initial enquiries in line with statutory duties.

As a Senior Social Worker you will be passionate and experienced in demonstrating expert and effective practice in complex situations often in pressurized environments. You will be able to manage workloads and support colleagues with complex cases, with an ability to mitigate high levels of risk. You will work collaboratively with statutory and non-statutory/voluntary agencies ensuring a joined-up approach.

You will have significant experience of social work, modelling good practice, triaging mental health act referrals, prioritizing responses, giving direction to others and providing expert advice and guidance.

Additionally, you will be responsible for:

• Providing supervision, specialist advice and professional expertise for AMHPs contributing to the development of practice standards.
• Accountable for assessments you undertake under the Mental Health Act.
• Working within the statutory legal framework, policy and guidance and determining when the threshold for statutory intervention has been reached and to carry out and manage the process of MHA assessments, identifying least restrictive options and acting as an autonomous professional consistent with legal and statutory obligations.
• Managing a complex workload, maintaining accurate and timely data, reports and presentations as required.
• Carrying out, coordinating and managing the process of Mental Health Act assessments, consistent with legal and statutory obligations working flexibly and at times outside the core operating hours of the team in accordance with demand.
• Conducting assessments under the Mental Health Act 1983 and plan responses which safeguard vulnerable adults, including intervention as required that may be beyond normal operating hours.
• Working collaboratively with the deputy team manager to coordinate, triage and allocate the incoming referrals to the service supporting and directing the wider AMHPs on the rota and assisting to bring their work to a satisfactory conclusion.
• Building strong effective working relationships across the Council, with partners and members of voluntary agencies.
• Delivering a high level of expertise in particular areas of practice and interest and lead on those areas.

Why Join Us?

The AMHPs within Essex are fully committed to striving for the best outcome possible for those whom they assess but critically supportive of each other. When undertaking AMHP duties you will have access to the regular support of experienced AMHPs, Deputy Team Managers and Team Managers.

You will join a knowledgeable and supportive team, who are proud of creating an inclusive environment where we build each other up. And, with access to a range of training and development opportunities to empower you through our award-winning Essex Social Care Academy along with flexible working options, you can make your career work for you.

Being an AMHP Social Worker in Adult Social Care can be both challenging and rewarding. Take a look at our video to discover the support available and get to know some of the AMHP team at Essex County Council.

Whatever you want to achieve in your social care career, you can do it here.

Here's what our AMHP's say:

“AMHP work gives one a chance to exercise humanism. It is a privilege to enter that person’s life experiences.”

“There is nothing more satisfying than going home knowing that we have successfully supported the individual and made a difference to them and their family.”

“Although the AMHP role is challenging and unpredictable as it can involve working unsociable hours, our team always creates time for team building and bonding.”

About you

To apply, you should be a qualified social worker with current Social Work England registration and an Approved Mental Health Professional Mental Health Act 1983 as recognised by ECC.

You’ll bring significant experience, modelling good practice and providing advice and guidance in complex situations. We’re also looking for your ability to mentor both newly qualified and experienced team members. As, a subject matter expert in the mental health act, you should have a comprehensive understanding of current legislation, regulations and guidance.

With experience of collaborative working, we’re looking for your ability to develop strong relationships with partner agencies and the local community to provide a supportive framework for vulnerable people.

You’ll also bring:

• Evidence of continuing professional development and capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards.
• An in-depth understanding of the financial implications of commissioned care packages.
• The ability to make clear decisions, to highlight and limit potential risks associated with intervention.

This role involves travelling around Essex. A driving licence and car - or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means - is essential.

What We Offer

We’ll support you to be your best and will offer:

• Ongoing opportunities for continuing professional development
• Flexible working options
• Employee wellbeing and counselling
• Lease Car scheme
• Life assurance of three times annual salary
• Local Government Pension Scheme. View Key Facts and FAQ’s about the LGPS.
• Volunteering leave
• 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising with service
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - access to free and confidential information, support, and guidance from a team of highly qualified professionals.
• Employee Networks – communities to support you, connect you and help influence change at ECC
• Payment of your Social Work England registration fees!

Whatever you want to achieve in your social work career, you can do it here.

*T&Cs Apply.

Apply now.

For more information contact Abbie.Mollison@essex.gov.uk

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR)) on our careers site

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

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