Healthcare Assistant (mental health)

To hold a caseload of low level need cases, supported by qualified Practitioners. To undertake welfare checks and task centred crisis support in accordance with skills and competency. To contribute to care planning and risk assessments. To support a trauma informed integrated framework under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. This will include being a visible presence on wings to provide low level mental health assessments, support and interventions, as agreed with your supervisor. Developing positive working relationships with staff and prisoners; supporting the delivery of key aspects of the health & wellbeing framework. Contributing to formulations of those individuals we work with. To support clinical staff in the assessment of individuals referred to the team. This may include using self-report measures, risk assessment, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews with patients and others involved in the patients care. Assessments will involve making judgements involving complex facts or situations which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options. To work in a highly emotive atmosphere with clients with offending histories and / or mental health problems on a regular basis, and be able to communicate sensitive and complex information, whilst maintaining a high degree of professionalism at all times. To support qualified practitioners in preparing for and conducting therapeutic interventions, both group and individual. To co facilitate groups and workshops with qualified clinical staff when appropriate. To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings within the Mental Health In-Reach Team including staff support/reflective practice and other core staff activities. To attend and contribute to other meetings, and to present the view of the Mental Health In-Reach Team for relevant clinical issues. To ensure any actions taken from these meetings are met or that the appropriate individual to carry out the action is informed. To work closely with resettlement workers, and to communicate effectively with them regarding client care. To utilise their knowledge of the wider prison population to gather appropriate referrals for psychological interventions. To ensure that efficient pathways of care are being created for the clients, including collecting collateral information for new clients and making appropriate referrals into the community when they are approaching discharge. To gather historical information about individuals from other services and to share case formulations and recommendations with them when appropriate. To liaise with other services in order to facilitate safe and seamless release planning and onward management upon release. To work closely with senior colleagues to ensure information in relation to risk is collected and communicated sensitively and comprehensively. To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping, including electronic data entry and recording. To maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to both the specific patient group and mental health. To ensure that with all aspects of professional activity (e.g. communication with patients, relatives, colleagues as well as in the assessment, development/delivery of interventions)issues of diversity such as race, culture, identity, gender and sexuality are sensitively considered and incorporated to reflect individual differences appropriately.