Team Lead Band 7
Integrated Liaison Service

Job Summary
The post holder will provide leadership, supervision, support and day-to-day management of an Enhanced Liaison Service in Mental Health across the Southern Trust. They will assist in the ongoing development and modernisation of this service and the availability of a wide range of interventions and will ensure the delivery and achievement of performance management targets and objectives. The post holder will promote effective multidisciplinary working and work in partnership with all stakeholders and support services in addressing the mental health needs of the population.

Key Duties and Responsibilities
Communication and Quality

• Establish and maintain data systems and other web based resources effectively in relation to service provision.
• Provide regular, precise and timely reports in relation to activity and relevant HPSS/PHA targets or targets set by commissioning agents.
• Communicate effectively with staff and maintain productive working relationships amongst your staff and others.
• Initiate and lead meetings and committees as required.
• Promote collaborative working between the service to ensure consistent advice and consultation is available across teams.
• Implement communication systems that allow an effective flow of information.
• Develop and maintain communication with all stakeholders.
• To lead and influence a culture of best practice through evidence based research/audit/monitoring procedures for the Service.
• Deputise for Service Co-ordinator and provide feedback on delegated activity i.e. meeting report.
• Work collaboratively with Trust colleagues to identify training needs both unidisciplinary and multidisciplinary within the Service.
• Co-ordinate placement of students to ensure the service is an approved/accredited placement area with appropriate practice supervisors.
• Allocate work to team members and supervise the delivery of the range of specific functions within the team.
• Manage staff cover for the service to include planning for annual leave and sickness and effective monitoring of all leave.
• Manage the workload of the team ensuring professional standards are maintained in all areas of practice and that staff maintain their professional qualifications and registration status.

Responsibility for Policy / Service Development

• Participate in enquiries into complaints regarding the service in line with Trust complaints procedures.
• Participate in the investigation of any serious incidents while adhering to relevant Trust Policies.
• Act as designated or investigating officer for vulnerable adult's investigations.
• Assess patients and assist with training as required.
• Ensure the Implementation of Standardised Trust Policies across the Service.
• Ensure that self and all staff adhere to relevant codes of conduct and advisory documents published by governing bodies, Trust Policies and Procedures, legislation and DHSSPS Policies.
• Adhere to established operational policies and procedures and amend / review as necessary to ensure a quality service.
• Contribute and fully participate in the Trust Corporate and Clinical and Social Care Governance arrangements, including Audit, Continuous Service Improvement, Risk Management and Life Long Learning.
• Ensure you are trained and competent in the relevant policies and procedures which apply to the management of staff and other resources and abide by these policies; seeking advice as necessary from senior management of specialist staff as necessary.
• Keep up to date with all current and national legislation that affects mental health services.
• Ensure involvement in local, regional and National groups appropriate to Mental Health Services and as delegated.
• Provide clinical advice and support to staff in Acute and non-acute hospitals.
• Develop and monitor outcome measures for the service.
• Advise on priorities for service development.
• Promote a culture of continuous service improvement amongst your staff, ensuring their participation and that of service users in reviewing and modernising current service and in service development.

Human Resource Management Responsibilities

• Establish and promote a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables all parts of the team to have clearly aligned goals and objectives, to meet the required performance standards and to achieve continuous improvement in the services they deliver.
• Ensure access to skills and personal development through appropriate training and support.
• Promote a culture of openness and honesty to enable shared learning.
• Encourage and empower others in their team to achieve their goals and reach their full potential through regular supportive conversation and shared decision making.
• Adhere to and promote Organisational policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins The Organisation's values.

Raising Concerns - Responsibilities

• The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.
• The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust's 'Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)' policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

Personal and Public Involvement Responsibilities (PPI)

• Promote and support the implementation of the Trust's PPI Strategy and ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities as appropriate to their job role.

General Requirements

• Assist the organisation in fulfilling its statutory duties under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to promote equality of opportunity and good relations and under the Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. Staff are also required to support the organisation in complying with its obligations under Human Rights Legislation.
• Ensure the Organisation's policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.
• Co-operate fully with the implementation of The Organisation's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.
• Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including Smoke Free policy, IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct, and standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour.
• Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.
• Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.
• Take responsibility to minimise the Trust's environmental impact wherever possible, including recycling, switching off equipment when not in use, reducing paper waste, reducing water usage, reporting faults promptly and minimising travel.
• All employees are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Southern Health & Social Care Trust, including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and including emails. Employees are required to be conversant with the Trust policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.
• Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.
• Represent The Organisation's commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This post may evolve over time and this Job Description will therefore be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

Personnel Specification
Essential Criteria

• 5 years post qualification experience/skills to include 2 years' experience at Band 6 or above in a community or acute mental health setting.
• Be currently registered on part 1 (mental health) of the live NMC register, OR hold a professional Social Work qualification (CQSW, CSS OR Diploma in Social Work) with NISCC registration or eligibility, OR hold a professional AHP qualification with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration or eligibility for immediate registration.
• Hold a current full driving licence valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment (waived for applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to Trust-approved transport).
• Ability to lead, motivate, manage and supervise a professional team.
• Demonstrate an ability to be a 'Reflective Practitioner'.
• Ability to understand and manage the many and varied interfaces, including the independent sector.
• Demonstrate an ability to lead on or contribute to service development initiatives, audits or research.
• Effective communication skills to meet the needs of the post in full.
• Willingness to ensure continuous professional development and to undertake appropriate training as defined by your manager.
• Sound knowledge of changing trends within Liaison Psychiatry.
• Knowledge and understanding of Recovery methodologies and how Enhanced Liaison Services can incorporate these methodologies.
• Relevant knowledge of mental health care, including legislation, policies, procedures and Guidance from agencies such as NICE in respect of psychotherapeutic interventions, pharmacological interventions, Public Health and other current issues.
• In-depth understanding of Clinical Governance and its applications within a team framework.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of staff management.
• Management/Leadership qualification.

If this post is being sought on secondment then the individual MUST have the permission of their line manager IN ADVANCE of making application. As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed. Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer. All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times.