Mental Health Act Compliance Officer

Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our friendly and compassionate Mental Health Law Team. The successful applicant will be based at our Wedgwood House, Bury St Edmunds site.

The Mental Health Law Team provide an administrative service to the Trust in the administration and application of the Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act for people who are subject to treatment of mental disorder.

The successful candidate/s will have excellent time management and interpersonal skills, have a positive approach and be able to remain calm under pressure. The successful candidate/s will work as part of a team, whilst also working independently on their own initiative.

The post requires a good knowledge of Microsoft Office software packages, such as word and excel, and a knowledge of issues around confidentiality and data protection. You don’t need any previous experience of Mental Health law as you will be given full on-the-job training.

If you are an enthusiastic, self-motivated team player with excellent organisational skills and feel that this is the role for you we would love to hear from you.

The successful candidate will be based in Wedgwood House, Bury St Edmunds. As this is a Trust wide team , travel between sites may be required. The team cover Norfolk and Suffolk with bases in Woodlands, Ipswich; Wedgwood Unit, Bury St Edmunds ; Hellesdon Hospital and The Julian Hospital.

Main duties of the job

To complete necessary administrative tasks.

Maintain a thorough understanding and in depth knowledge of the 1983 Mental Health Act (MHA) and the Mental Capacity Act to be able to convert this knowledge into detailed administration of the Acts.

To provide information to patients and their relatives in accordance with the mental health legislation.

To liaise with internal and external partners in relation to processes required by both Acts

To provide timely and effective administrative support to the wards regarding Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards requests/authorisations in relation to the Trust’s duties in the role of Managing Authority.

To process and maintain records for those patients detained under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards in line with Trust processes and procedures.

To provide, in conjunction with others, holiday and sickness cover with the Mental Health Law Team at all sites.

To participate in on-going audits and service development within the team.

To undertake any other appropriate tasks as requested by the Mental Health Law Team Leader/Mental Health Law Manager to meet the needs of the service.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to GCSE level or equivalent

Desirable

  • PG Certificate in Mental Health Law

Experience

Essential

  • Relevant experience in administration including a range of organisational non routine procedures, policies and practice
  • Investigation of a variety of complex issues and proposing solutions
  • Dealing with complex enquiries

Desirable

  • Previous experience in the investigation of complex legal issues

Knowledge

Essential

  • A comprehensive understanding of what the Mental Health Act 1983 is there for and how it should be administered

Desirable

  • An understand of the legal framework for people detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to prioritise conflicting requirements
  • Ability to communicate orally and in writing with a wide range of people

Other

Essential

  • Ability to work as part of a team.
  • Able to work proactively on own initiative with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to work to strict deadlines and able to prioritise own and others work load.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Closing Date: 2 August 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.