If you are looking for an opportunity to help promote and safeguard the rights of those in the care of hospital staff under the Mental Health Act, or service users who are subject to a community treatment order, the role of an Associate Mental Health Act manager may be of interest to you.
The Associate Mental Health Act Manager (AMHAM) acts as an important safeguard for those individuals who are detained, in hospital, under the Mental Health Act. In the role you will also provide a safeguard for individuals who are subject to Mental Health Act restrictions within the community eg. Community Treatment Orders.
The overarching purpose of the AMHAM role is to ensure that a person’s liberty and freedom is only restricted, or removed, when the relevant legal criteria are met.
In this role you will make decisions as a panel of three AMHAMs who consider each case. Whilst AMHAMs must work within the law, along with Trust policies and procedures, the decisions in respect of a person being under the care of the Mental Health Act, or Community Treatment Order, are independent.
Having first-hand experience of accessing mental health services or having worked within mental health or social care is particularly welcomed. However, we are actively seeking applications from all parts of the community to ensure that the service we provide is representative of the society we serve.
Given the independent decision making of an AMHAM, you do not become employees of the Trust but will be remunerated for the reviews you undertake. As an AMHAMs you will also be paid for attending training and development meetings.
The role does not have a set number of hours other than being willing to undertake and participate in an appropriate number of reviews and hearings each year, and you will be expected to attend at least two quarterly AMHAM meetings a year.
Individuals who are successfully appointed become part of a ‘pool’ of AMHAMs that the Trust can approach when reviews and hearings need to be undertaken.
No formal legal knowledge is needed to carry out the role as training will be provided.
