Job summary
BHFT is developing a specialist multidisciplinary Assertive Outreach (AO) service, aligned with Community Mental Health Services, to provide safe, compassionate and flexible support for people with severe and enduring mental health needs who may struggle to engage with services.

The service will initially operate from two hubs in Reading and Slough, and we are recruiting two Band 6 nurses to support its rollout.

This role is based within the Reading team and is one of several new specialist posts. The successful candidate will also work across the Trust to help develop a consistent AO approach and promote best practice.

Our approach is centred on:

• Working alongside individuals, families, carers and wider support networks to overcome barriers such as trauma, mistrust, communication needs, co-existing conditions and social challenges.
• Delivering proactive, intensive, holistic and flexible care, meeting people where they are and tailoring support to their needs.
• Promoting fair access to mental health care, particularly for marginalised and underserved communities, while addressing health inequalities.

To achieve this, we work with smaller caseloads than traditional Community Mental Health Services, enabling more intensive support. The post holder will be part of the Reading Assertive Outreach Team and work within the service's operational hours. Care will be delivered primarily in community settings, rather than expecting service users to routinely attend health facilities.

Main duties of the job

• Within BHFT's Assertive Outreach Service, the post holder will provide intensive, flexible and proactive support to people with severe and enduring mental health needs who struggle to engage with traditional services. This Band 6 role offers an opportunity to help shape and develop a new service while delivering high-quality care to service users and those who support them.
• Based in Reading, with occasional cross-cover across Berkshire, the post holder will deliver recovery-focused, evidence-based nursing interventions to adults experiencing significant challenges with engagement.
• Working within a shared caseload, the post holder will build and maintain therapeutic relationships with service users, families and carers, using assertive, flexible and person-centred approaches to improve engagement, reduce relapse and crisis, and promote recovery and independence.
• The role involves completing comprehensive assessments, developing and reviewing personalised care plans, and delivering evidence-based interventions tailored to individual needs.
• As a core member of the Assertive Outreach multidisciplinary team, the post holder will contribute specialist mental health nursing expertise to formulation, care planning and decision-making. They will work collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies, applying evidence-based practice and reflective working to support stability, recovery and improved quality of life for service users.

About us
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Job responsibilities
In summary, for this role your main points of focus will be:

• Communication
• Planning and Organisation
• Analysis and Decision Making
• Patient Care
• Information
• Service Development
• Financial Management
• People Management

The must haves for this role:

• Current professional registration: Registered Mental Health Nurse
• Ability to manage complex and sensitive information using well-developed motivational and negotiating skills, representing the service in a variety of different situations
• Evidence of involving people with severe mental health issues and their carers within care planning and service development
• Experience of working assertively and effectively with people with severe and complex mental health needs
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant national guidance, policies, legal requirements and frameworks in relation to people with severe/complex mental health issues and those close to them
• Good interpersonal, communication, observation and reporting skills
• Able to engage and communicate with a wide range of professionals, staff and other service stakeholders, including primary care and community/ voluntary sector
• Able to empathise, be supportive and sensitive to the needs of others, and demonstrate resilience to cope with distressing circumstances
• Able to demonstrate understanding of health inequalities among marginalised groups
• Recognises peoples right to privacy and dignity, treating every person with respect
• Willing to be flexible in approach and attitude
• Recovery focused; understands strengths- based approaches
• Committed to high-quality care and service provision
• Key skills in literacy, numeracy and IT relevant to the role
• Ability to travel around the geographical area of BHFT
• Able to work flexible patterns as required and the ability to travel independently between locations to fulfil the requirements of the position

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification
Education, qualifications or training

• Registered Mental Health Nurse
• NMC Registration
• Specialist knowledge acquired through post graduate short courses, training and equivalent experience, in a relevant field

Continuous Professional Development

• Evidence of continuing professional development

Previous Experience

• Demonstrable experience of working autonomously to deliver high quality and evidence-based nursing care
• Experience in providing supervision to junior colleagues and students in the completion of routine nursing and clinical skills
• Uphold the Trust's values of being caring, committed and working as team through demonstrable examples and experience

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Demonstrable understanding of an acute mental health environment and relevant legislation such as the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and DOLs
• Proficient use of digital tools and applications including Word, Outlook and patient management systems

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel between multiple Trust sites and non-Trust locations, including patient homes, some of which may not be easily accessible via public transport

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

We're committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Stonewall Proud Employer, Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Martin Gill or Joanna Jelonek on 0118 960 5612 or email martin.gill@berkshire.nhs.uk who'll be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.