Job Description

The Mental Health East Social Care Team are inviting applications for an experienced and self-motivated Grade 10 Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) Social Worker to join the Mental Health East Social Work team based at Jocelyn Solly Resource Centre. We are currently hybrid working from the office and at home. The successful applicant will report to and be supported by the Practice Manager Mike Wilshaw.

Organisation

Cheshire East Council

Location

Macclesfield

Job Category

Social Care

Grade

CEC NJC - Grade 10

Salary Min

41,771 per annum

Salary Max

48,072 per annum

Hours per week

37

Weeks per year

52.143

Employment Type

Permanent

Closing Date

29/12/2025

Ref No

E3409
Cheshire East is an amazing place to live and work. As one of the largest employers in the borough, we are able to offer you a wide range of challenging and rewarding career opportunities.



At Cheshire East Council we are working for a brighter future - together and our commitment to you is that our workplace culture will provide a shared purpose, a well-led organisation with valued people succeeding together as one team and one council to deliver the best service for our customers and communities.



If you want to be part of our award-winning council and contribute to our ongoing success, have the flexibility and drive to enable us to innovate, are committed to working as part of a team and striving to deliver exceptional service wherever you can, we would especially like to hear from you.



As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our local communities so that we can all work for a brighter future - together.



Brighter Future



www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/employee-benefits.aspx

The Mental Health Social Workers based within the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) at Jocelyn Solly Resource Centre in Macclesfield, provide assessment and support to anyone aged 18 and over that is experiencing difficulties with their mental health that is impacting on their abilities to function fully within their everyday lives.



The successful candidate would be expected to have a caseload and to work in line with the statutory responsibilities of the Care Act and Mental Capacity Act; completing assessments and support plans for supported placements/care at home and Section 42 enquiries. You will be working within a multi-disciplinary team supporting joint working with individuals' families and carers.

AMHP role

To undertake the assessment of service users as defined by the 1983 Mental Health Act; to collect all relevant background information including medical opinion, to make an application for the detention of service users in hospital or to provide alternative arrangements for a service user's care in accordance with professional practice.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Consult with doctors, specialists and other professionals to establish service users' current circumstances and previous history. Collect additional relevant background information from a variety of sources, for example medical records, case notes, etc.

Interview the service user in an appropriate manner as defined by legislation, to undertake a full risk assessment which will inform the decision-making process for an application for detention. Co-ordinate the service user's assessment process which necessitates liaison with other professional bodies - e.g. the police (occasionally armed), ambulance services, or courts - to obtain warrants for entering premises.

Determine the appropriateness of an application for detention in hospital, completing the Approved Mental Health Professional report and circulate to all relevant parties. Produce reports for hospital managers and in preparation for attendance at Mental Health Tribunals. Arrange the safe transport of the service user and legal documentation to the hospital and check the documents for accuracy which could be the subject of legal challenge.

Identify and consult with the nearest relative of the service user, as defined by legislation. Advise the service user of his/her legal right of appeal, and the right of the nearest relative to request the discharge of the service user.

Make alternative arrangements for the service user's care where an application is not made under the Act (or is refused) and to inform all relevant agencies, including the nearest relative, of these arrangements.

Maintain appropriate records of work undertaken and carry out required administrative procedures.

Prepare for and attend supervision sessions and staff meetings and make use of all available training and developmental opportunities.

Contribute to the evaluation and development of services and new ideas by sharing knowledge about theory, skills and practice with other Social Services staff, professional groups and interested bodies. The job holder may be required at any time to undertake any work up to and/or at a level consistent with existing responsibilities. These tasks may be at any location in Cheshire East, to ensure the effective deployment of labour, materials, transport and equipment to meet daily service requirements


We are seeking an individual who can demonstrate an ability to promote the rights, dignity and self-determination of individuals with a wide range of mental health issues and vulnerabilities and with a passion to develop further skills in mental health.



This is an exciting opportunity for a Social Worker which will require the use of all core skills and social work values, including good communication, decision making skills and the ability to work under pressure. The successful applicant will need to be able to adapt a flexible approach to their work and be a good team player.



If you have any queries or require additional information about this post, please feel free to contact Mike Wilshaw - Mike.Wilshaw@Cheshireeast.gov.uk



Cheshire East Council is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults across the Borough. As such, any cautions, convictions, reprimands or final warnings that are 'not protected' as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) order 1975 (as amended in 2013) relating to the non-disclosure of spent convictions do not apply to this job. You must therefore, disclose whether you have any previous convictions where prompted to do so within the application process.



Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.



If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date then it is likely that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion, however please do not be discouraged from applying again.



For any technical enquiries please email sourcingteam@ecwip.co.uk



Please quote job reference number in all correspondence.