Full job descriptionTrainee Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) - Adult Social CareDevon
*Full time
*Closes:
*Salary: £39,862.00 - £44,075 a year
*Travel expenses: no
*Job term: Permanent
*Job code:
Sign in to bookmark this job
Sign in to get alerts about jobs like this
Join Our Dynamic and Inclusive Team as a Trainee Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) in the Daytime AMHP Service across Devon covering locations: Exeter, North Devon, South Devon, East & Mid Devon.
Who we are?
AMHP’s carry out statutory duties under the Mental Health Act 1983 which includes a broad range of tasks including section 13 consideration, making informed, independent decisions about the need for compulsory admission to hospital, the use of Guardianship and Community Treatment Orders to support well-being in the community. As well as undertaking the role of Social Supervision under Part 3 of the MHA.
Alongside these statutory functions, we are committed to providing advice, consultation, support and training to our partner agencies and professional colleagues. As there are no age restrictions on the individuals we assess, AMHPs work across a wide range of services and settings. This creates opportunities for close collaborative working with Community Mental Health Teams, Police, Learning Disability and Autism Services, CAMHS, acute hospitals and other partner organisations.
Our team is committed to continuous improvement and places a strong emphasis on co-production, including how best to capture and utilise the voices of those that have experience of being assessed under the Mental Health Act and to further improve practise for the benefit of those who come into contact with our service.
We are also deeply committed to addressing racial disparities in mental health care. Our service is dedicated to implementing the recommendations of Devon County Council’s Race Equality Audit and actively working to deliver more equitable and culturally informed support and practice.
The role offers a unique opportunity to work at the interface of mental health, social care and the law, supporting some of the most complex and challenging situations while promoting individuals’ rights, wellbeing and least restrictive options.
Pre-requisite training period
This is an exciting development opportunity for practitioners who are passionate about promoting the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of people experiencing mental ill health.
Successful Trainee AMHP’s will commence a 6 month probationary period with the Daytime AMHP service to prepare for interview with Bournemouth University in January 2027.
During this period they will undertake the following in preparation for a Bournemouth Interview:-
*Have observed a minimum of 4 Mental Health Act assessments
*Support by DCC to be confirmed following a period of observed practice in the daytime AMHP team.
*Demonstrate that they possess the level of competence, capacity and ability to undertake and complete AMHP training at the required professional and academic level.
The AMHP Training
Successful trainee AMHP’s will commence the Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) Programme delivered by Bournemouth University Course Details | Bournemouth University on the 15^th March 2027, while receiving comprehensive support, supervision, and protected learning time by Devon County Council to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence required for the role.
This intensive, full-time programme runs over six months, combining academic study with supervised practice to prepare practitioners for the AMHP role under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended in 2007).
The course is structured around a series of taught learning blocks and a minimum 45-day supervised practice placement, enabling trainees to apply learning directly to practice throughout the programme. Teaching is delivered by a combination of experienced AMHP practitioners, senior academics and other specialist professionals, ensuring learning is both academically robust and firmly grounded in current practice.
Learning methods include:
*Interactive workshops and taught sessions
*Facilitated group discussions
*Learning from people with lived experience and carers
*Guided and independent study
*Practice-based learning and supervision
Assessment includes a professional portfolio, reflective assignments, a timed case study, practice assessor observations and formative knowledge assessments.
On successful completion of the programme, practitioners may be considered for approval by Devon County Council as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP). Approval is granted by a Local Social Services Authority (LSSA), and practitioners can only undertake AMHP duties once formally approved.
For further information about the academic programme, please contact Chris Ademuwagun, Course Lead , at .
Following successful completion of the training and AMHP approval process, you will undertake statutory AMHP duties as part of a supportive and experienced service. There will be an expectation that once qualified you remain within the AMHP role to practise as an AMHP for a minimum of two years.
What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?
You will need to demonstrate that you are:-
*Are a registered Social Worker, Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Chartered Psychologist.
*Have completed an appropriate period of suitable mental health work experience (normally 2 years post-registration with a minimum of one year in a community setting where individual responsibility for cases has been held).
*Have spent time or are willing to spend time prior to interview with the Devon County Council AMHP services to understand the role of the AMHP-
*Completed reflective accounts within the application from time spent exploring the AMHP service and role.
*Demonstrate holding complex cases and undertaking sound assessment, risk management, and decision-making skills.
*Have excellent communication and partnership-working skills
*Have a good understanding of the Human Rights Act, Mental Health Act and its interface with the Mental Capacity Act, as well as a good understanding of the Care Act.
*Have access to / use of a vehicle. This essential due to Devon being a rural area.
*Trainee’s must provide evidence of previous study at Masters level 7. This qualification could be in the form of an MA degree award or a postgraduate level 7 award. Previous level 7 study does not need to have been gained through Bournemouth University. (There may be an opportunity for DCC to fund a level 7 Unit prior to the commencement of the AMHP course in March for successful applicants who can meet this timescale dependent on the availability of courses)
Our service users also expect high...