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Job summary

Main area
Mental Health
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
364-B-81
Employer
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Sankey House
Town
Pitsea
Salary
£39,959 - £48,117 per annum, pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
12/06/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust logo

ARMS Mental Health Practitioner

NHS AfC: Band 6

Please be aware that, due to current allocation constraints, Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) are being prioritised for registered roles at this time.

Our Trust cares for more than 100,000 patients at any one time across our community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex and parts of Bedfordshire and Suffolk. 

We want you to be part of our journey of transformation, where our patients and their families are at the heart of everything we do and to achieve our vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care.

You’ll be part of a Trust where you will be supported to be your authentic self and be the best you can be, where we will help you to grow, develop and thrive. 

The Trust is recognised by the University of Essex and is a top provider of apprenticeships for people looking to be an assistant practitioner, senior health care support worker (CAP). Our trailblazing CAP apprenticeship won a national HSJ Award.

We are also recognised as a Veteran Aware Trust and holder of gold accreditation from the Ministry of Defence Employment Recognition Scheme. Our services are highlighted as an exemplar of good practice, producing the best care for more than 3.500 armed forces veterans in the past seven years. 

We have been shortlisted and won national awards. We are an inclusive organisation and Level 3 Disability Confident Leader Trust.

We are constantly innovating and looking for new ways to deliver care, such as using technology to enhance patient care and working with partners to launch new services such as the Basildon Mental Health Urgent Care Department, virtual hospitals and falls response cars.  

Join us and you’ll do the best work of your life – and make a difference to other people’s lives. What we do together, matters.

Job overview

The post holder will work in our South West ARMS (At Risk of Mental State) Service which is aimed at identifying and supporting those at high risk of developing psychosis and preventing transition to psychosis and secondary mental health services. Working closely with the already established  ESTEP , Essex Support and Treatment for Early Psychosis service

The main purpose of this role is to support service users to establish greater control over their lives, helping to identify aspects of life that give meaning, hope, value and purpose whilst recognizing that each individual’s recovery is a distinctive and deeply personal process.   You will be an integral and valued member of a highly skilled multi-disciplinary team working in South West Essex.   You will be responsible for Care Co-ordination of high level At Risk Mental State clients within the ARMS Service to provide high quality evidence-based care as per NICE guidelines and National EI Access & waiting time standards

 

Main duties of the job

  • To undertake care co-ordination of a caseload of clients in higher need within the service.
  • To participate in the initial assessment of clients using Comprehensive Assessment of At Risk Mental State tool (CAARMS)  , to determine appropriateness for ARMS service and to liaise with referring agencies to identify alternative agencies as appropriate to meet the client’s needs.
  • Support service user and family to manage their risk and wellness Recovery Action Plans  (WRAP) with the allocated peer worker and local social prescribers
  • Empower service users to maintain their social networks
  • Work closely with the ESTEP teams to ensure transitions for patients who have made transition to psychosis happens within national guidelines on timescales
  • Undertake initial health and social needs assessments and participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings to look at appropriate selection and allocation of clients to care coordination and regular reviews.
  • Following analysis of client assessments , plan creatively to meet their needs including the provision of evidence based interventions with colleagues
  • Undertake risk assessments with clients on their caseload and plan effectively to manage this plan within MDT.
  • Prioritise and manage workload to ensure the effective management of a defined group of clients with complex needs.

Working for our organisation

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.

Benefits

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
  • Excellent pension of up to 14.5% 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

  • Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • Responsible for working with colleagues in seeking to improve the quality of services provided to our clients/patients. Using quality outcome measures HONOS/ HONOSCA/ QPR and Dialog
  • To work flexibility and participate in the ARMS Service operating outside of core hours where required to meet service user and family need The pattern is subject to change to meet client’s needs and the guidelines of the National Service Framework.
  • The post holder will be fully conversant and uphold their professional code of conduct.
  • Ensure that all interventions are undertaken within established time scales and according to standards of best evidence based practice and operational policy.
  • Keep oneself updated in all legislative government initiatives. Particularly those relevant to ARMS and Early Intervention in Psychosis
  • Act as a role model at all times, able to demonstrate excellent leadership skills.
  • Instruct and supervise staff, identifying training needs and actively participating in staff development programmes. This includes induction programmes for new staff.
  • Undertake and be proactive in clinical and managerial supervision in accordance with Trust procedures at regular intervals with the Team Lead; discussing the overall nature of the caseload, work methods and techniques and evaluate clinical effectiveness and practice.

 

Person specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Educated to degree level or equivalent with evidence of further study. Registered with NMC, Social work England or HCPC.
  • Mentorship or equivalent qualification.
  • Evidence of personal and professional development in contemporary mental health
Desirable criteria
  • Certificate in a psychotherapeutic/psychosocial intervention
  • Training in use of CAARMS (Comprehensive Assessment of At Risk Mental State ) assessment tool

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Extensive knowledge and understanding of psychosis.
  • Excellent knowledge and understanding of young people’s mental health
  • Excellent knowledge of Early Intervention National Guidance
Desirable criteria
  • Understanding of Ultra high risk/ At risk mental state.

Skills/Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working in an acute/community mental health setting
  • Experience in delivering care in accordance with the Recovery Model

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Essex Family Friendly Employers

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Nesymol Sunny
Job title
Operational Team Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07483963523
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