Job Description

Senior Social Worker/Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)
An exciting opportunity has arisen in Wokingham Borough Council's Integrated Mental Health Service for an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)/ Senior Social Worker (non-Social Worker AMHPs also welcome to apply).
As a Senior Social Worker/Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) you will join a passionate and dynamic team, playing an integral role as, we collaborate with The Health Trust to transform our services and develop a dedicated social care pathway.
We are looking for a self-motivated and legally literate individual, who possesses the AMHP qualification. You will be required to work primarily as an AMHP within the service and provide support to junior colleagues. Those on the AMHP rota receive a generous AMHP allowance of 5355 - 7000 (depending on experience).
We are seeking a part-time 0.45 FTE AMHP but are flexible and open to considering how these 15 hours/week could be worked to support AMHP provision in the team. The role requires good formulation skills and the ability to carry out comprehensive risk assessments, and strengths-based interventions.
The ideal candidate must have a comprehensive understanding of Safeguarding, the MHA, MCA, CA and Human Rights legislation. They must also be a skilled communicator, have excellent organisational skills, and have good IT abilities. Additionally, evidence of continuous personal and professional development (CPD) is required. If you are an AMHP who has been out of practice, we may be able to support your re-approval and get you back up and running.
Both Wokingham Borough Council and The Health Trust recognise the benefits of integration, which include holistic support for people accessing the service, peer support and working collaboratively on casework for CMHT (Community Mental Health Team) colleagues. Although WBC staff will manage social care and BHFT will provide health care separately, the service will collaborate closely as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure the best outcomes for service users.
Wokingham CMHT is committed to professional development and has excellent working relationships with health colleagues and colleagues in Adult Social Care.
We have several service development initiatives coming up, including development of a hospital discharge team and an Occupational Therapy-led reablement service. This is an exciting opportunity to join an Award-Winning Local Authority, and a service that currently scores third highest in the country following our recent CQC inspection.
Benefits
Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it's a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:
? Those on the AMHP rota receive a substantial AMHP allowance of 5355 - 7000 (depending on experience).
?A generous annual leave entitlement of 31 days (Pro Rata) (rising to 36 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays
? Enrolment to an excellent local government pension scheme
? An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline
? A range of local & lifestyle discounts
? Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)
? Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes
? And much more!
Key responsibilities:

• To act as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) and Best Interest Assessor (BIA); this includes being front line AMHP and back up AMHP as required, attending professionals' meetings as AMHP, AMHP meetings, providing training and support to other services with the AMHP lead as required.
• Conduct statutory duties under the Mental Health Act, 1983 as an AMHP
• Act in a supervisory role to other team members and provide supervision in line with the CMHT Joint Supervision Policy
• Identify safeguarding adult and children concerns and implement safeguarding policies and processes.
• Maintain high standards of quality in clinical recording, ensuring information is recorded accurately, appropriately and kept up to date.
• Comply with all service requirements in terms of lone working in the community.

Candidate requirements:

• Are a Social Worker, Mental Health/Learning Disabilities Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Chartered Psychologists who hold an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) qualification/are willing to undertake training to be an AMHP.
• Have a comprehensive understanding of Safeguarding, the MHA, MCA, CA and Human Rights legislation.
• Should the candidate be unable to carry out AMHP duties at any point, there is an expectation for them to hold a caseload and carry out Care Act 2014 duties to support the wider social care team.
• Be a skilled communicator, with the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and customers.
• Be well organized with excellent time management skills.
• Strong IT skills.

Our Area
Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.
We're home to a range of high performing schools including 69 primary and 21 secondary, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.
If you're interested in this exciting opportunity, click the link below and apply today.
Alternatively, for more information or to arrange an information discussion, please contact Sheku Bangura, AMHP Team Manager via email Sheku.Bangura@Wokingham.gov.uk
Closing: 24th August 2025, 11pm
Interviews: TBC
If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.
Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.
Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.
If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.
We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.
Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.

Skills Required