Job summary
- Main area
- Mental Health
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 354-CO-22008
- Employer
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Langley Green Hospital
- Town
- Crawley
- Salary
- £28,392 - £31,157 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 15/11/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Mental Health Act Compliance Officer
NHS AfC: Band 4
Come and join us
We’re looking for people who share our values of compassion, accountability and optimism to help us provide high quality care for the patients, carers, families and communities we serve. We specialise in NHS mental health and learning disability services and we’re proud to make a difference every day.
At SPFT we put people first. We’ll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You’ll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development.
We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it’s part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we’ll explore what works for you and the role.
We recognise that tools like AI are becoming part of everyday life and you may choose to use them when preparing your application. We welcome this, as long as what you submit reflects your own experience, skills and voice. AI can be helpful for structuring or refining your answers, but it should not replace your own examples or create content that isn’t based on your real experience.
Our recruitment process is designed to get to know you, and we’ll explore your examples further at interview, so it’s important your application genuinely represents what you bring. You can read more about using AI in applications and interviews on our recruitment process page.
We’re shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.
Job overview
The Mental Health Act Compliance Officer provides specialist administrative support to ensure the timely, accurate and lawful administration of the Mental Health Act.
The role includes receiving, recording and scrutinising statutory documentation; identifying errors, omissions and approaching deadlines; maintaining accurate Mental Health Act records; and taking or escalating appropriate action.
You will support the administration and coordination of statutory hearings, respond to queries about Mental Health Act processes and work closely with clinical teams, colleagues and partner organisations.
You will manage and prioritise your workload to meet statutory and local deadlines, maintain confidentiality and use Trust information systems accurately and securely.
The role also contributes to audit, data quality and service improvement. You will be supported to develop and maintain your knowledge of the Mental Health Act, associated legislation, statutory guidance and Trust procedures.
Excellent attention to detail, organisation and communication skills are essential, together with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Main duties of the job
As a Mental Health Act Compliance Officer, you will provide specialist administrative support for the operation of the Mental Health Act.
Your main duties will include:
- receiving, recording and scrutinising statutory Mental Health Act documentation;
- identifying errors, omissions and discrepancies and taking or escalating appropriate action;
- maintaining accurate and up-to-date Mental Health Act information and patient records;
- monitoring statutory and local deadlines and prioritising work accordingly;
- responding to administrative queries regarding Mental Health Act processes and referring complex matters appropriately;
- supporting the administration and coordination of patient hearings, including Associate Hospital Managers' hearings;
- using Trust-approved digital and information systems securely and accurately;
- contributing to audit, data-quality and service-improvement activity;
- maintaining your knowledge of the Mental Health Act, associated legislation, statutory guidance and Trust procedures; and
- working flexibly with colleagues to maintain continuity of Mental Health Act administration.
The role requires excellent attention to detail, sound organisational skills and the ability to manage competing demands while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.
Working for our organisation
You will join the Mental Health Act Team within the Integrated Legal Team, working with colleagues across the Trust and with a wide range of external partners involved in Mental Health Act processes. The role involves working with clinical teams, Associate Hospital Managers, advocacy services, the Mental Health Tribunal Service, local authorities, other NHS organisations and other external agencies.
We are looking for someone who can bring a compassionate, accountable and optimistic approach to their work. You will be supported to develop and maintain your knowledge of the Mental Health Act and associated legislation through experience, research, supervision and training.
The Mental Health Act Team works in an area where accuracy, confidentiality, dignity, equality, human rights and individual autonomy are particularly important. You will be expected to communicate sensitively and professionally and work collaboratively with colleagues and partner organisations.
We welcome applicants with strong transferable administrative skills who are keen to develop specialist knowledge. Previous NHS, health, social care, legal or regulatory administration experience is desirable rather than essential, and a Mental Health Law qualification is also listed as desirable rather than essential.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The postholder will undertake Mental Health Act administration independently in accordance with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, Trust policies and procedures and the Standards for Mental Health Act Administration.
Mental Health Act administration
The postholder will:
- receive, record and scrutinise statutory documentation relating to patients subject to the Mental Health Act;
- identify errors, omissions, discrepancies and approaching deadlines and take or escalate appropriate action within the boundaries of the role;
- maintain accurate, complete and up-to-date Mental Health Act and legal records;
- ensure information relating to detained patients is accurately maintained on Trust patient record systems;
- respond to administrative queries relating to the Mental Health Act and associated processes, referring complex legal or clinical matters appropriately; and
- work flexibly with Mental Health Act Team colleagues to maintain continuity of statutory administration and service delivery.
Hearings and statutory processes
The postholder will:
- support the administration and coordination of patient hearings;
- support and facilitate Associate Hospital Managers in undertaking their role; and
- monitor relevant actions and deadlines associated with Mental Health Act administrative processes.
Information, data quality and systems
The postholder will:
- accurately enter, retrieve, review and maintain information held on approved Trust systems;
- use Trust-approved digital and information systems in accordance with data protection, information governance, records management and information-security requirements;
- maintain confidentiality when working with sensitive patient and legal information; and
- contribute to routine audit, data-quality checking and service-improvement activity within the Mental Health Act administration service.
Communication and partnership working
The postholder will:
- communicate clearly, sensitively and professionally with staff and external professionals;
- respond to queries within the scope of the role and recognise when senior, legal or clinical advice is required;
- work collaboratively with Mental Health Act Team colleagues, clinical services and partner organisations; and
- maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.
Organisation and workload management
The postholder will:
- plan and organise their daily workload to ensure statutory and local deadlines are met;
- manage multiple and sometimes conflicting demands in a busy working environment;
- maintain concentration and accuracy when working under pressure;
- recognise and appropriately escalate risks, delays and matters outside the scope of the role; and
- provide cover and work flexibly with colleagues to support continuity of Mental Health Act administration.
Learning and continuous improvement
The postholder will:
- develop and maintain specialist working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and associated legislation through experience, research and training;
- maintain current knowledge of relevant case law, statutory guidance and Trust procedures;
- attend supervision, Mental Health Act Team meetings and relevant Trust training;
- contribute constructively to process review and continuous improvement; and
- support new colleagues by sharing agreed processes and good administrative practice, where appropriate.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- A sound educational background with good analytical and communication skills (written and verbal)
- Willingness and ability to learn quickly and gain a working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 and associated legislation.
Desirable criteria
- Certificate in Mental Health Law (or similar qualification) or significant relevant experience
Knowledge/Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience in a working environment with regular contact with work colleagues/public.
- Previous experience in a lead administrative role
- Ability to learn to understand and interpret provisions of the Mental Health Act and associated legislation, seeking appropriate advice and guidance where necessary
Desirable criteria
- Previous NHS experience
Skills
Essential criteria
- Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy to all relevant professionals, patients, relatives and carers
- Ability to understand and interpret statute law, statutory and non-statutory guidance.
- High level of accuracy and an eye for detail required in all aspects of job role.
- The ability to prioritise work to meet legal and local deadlines.
- Use of computer based systems and programmes – Microsoft Word, Excel, Power-point and email
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Lucy Taylor
- Job title
- Deputy MHA Service Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07912 660973
- Additional information
Please note if successful you will be invited to a recruitment day
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