Mental Health Nursing Jobs
Are you a qualified and experienced mental health nurse ready to take the next step in your mental health career? If so, you’ve come to just the right place.
With over 150 NHS Trusts and private healthcare providers placing their trust in us to find them experienced and passionate mental health nurses, we’ve got every role covered.
Our clients, quite rightly, expect us to match the right person to each new job. Whether you're looking for jobs in general mental health nursing or within specialist fields, our expert recruitment consultants will match you with the ideal position. This means, as a mental health nurse, you’ll only ever be recommended jobs that we know you’ll love the sound of.
At Sanctuary Health, we always place people first. You let us know the type of mental health nursing jobs that interest you the most, and together we’ll find you the perfect role.
Find your next mental health nursing job with Sanctuary and apply today!
Our latest Mental Health Nursing Jobs
Registered Mental Heal...
Durham
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JOB-20241107-dbb7e2c9 We are searching for an experienced Registered Mental Health Nurse specialising in Mental Health and Learning Disability to join our dynamic team at a leading hospital in Darlington. If you are keen to work in an environment that fosters innovation and values staff wellbeing, this could be the perfect position for you. Located in the picturesque setting of County Durham, just a stone's throw from the stunning Yorkshire Dales, the hospital provides a vibrant work setting that combines excellent professional opportunities with a supportive community. These permanent full-time roles offer unique chances for growth and development in a thriving region known for its scenic beauty and friendly atmosphere. Explore the array of benefits we offer: Receive an excellent salary supplemented by other perks to appreciate the important work you do. Enjoy the convenience of free on-site parking and savour on-duty meals that are provided at no extra cost. Benefit from a generous 25 days of annual leave in addition to bank holidays, along with a special Birthday Holiday as an extra day off to celebrate you. Access enhanced maternity pay and contributory pension schemes. Take advantage of flexible benefits such as reduced rates on services and new schemes like gym memberships, IT technology, and private healthcare. Elevate your professional growth with development opportunities supported by sponsorship for professional qualifications through our Individual Professional Development panel. Engage in our leadership and management development programmes to take your career to the next level. Enjoy the rewards of long service awards and refer-a-friend bonuses. Benefit from relocation support, including payment for accommodation or moving expenses up to £3000, subject to terms. What you will do: Deliver high-quality, service-focused care that meets the diverse needs of our patients. Participate actively in the development of new services and care pathways, ensuring we stay at the forefront of mental health care. Support the local implementation of the Group Nursing Strategy, contributing to the wider organisational goals. Engage in continuous quality improvement processes to enhance service delivery. Provide mentorship and guidance to less experienced staff, fostering a culture of learning and development. As a Registered Nurse, your skills and qualifications will include: A valid and active NMC PIN. Relevant clinical experience within mental health or learning disability settings. A positive attitude with a commitment to change, improvement, and quality. Strong verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills, capable of interacting effectively with patients and colleagues. An ability to adopt flexible and innovative methods in practice. Living and working at the hospital in Darlington offers a rewarding balance of vibrant city life and tranquil countryside. With the coast, the Yorkshire Dales, and prominent cities like Durham and Newcastle nearby, there are endless opportunities for adventure and cultural experiences. Join us in creating a positive impact in the world of mental health care while enjoying everything this beautiful region has to offer. Working with Sanctuary Personnel: Sanctuary Personnel is a trusted and award-winning agency for roles. With an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot from over 1,000 reviews and many prestigious industry awards, we are dedicated to finding you the best possible rates in roles that match your skills and experience.
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Band 7 - Registered Me...
Leatherhead
Monday and Friday, and then Monday and Tuesday on a two-weekly rota
JOB-20240911-c1c514b9 Band 7 - Registered Mental Health Nurse/Occupational Therapist/Social Worker - (MHICS) Mental Health Integrated Community Service Location: Leatherhead Pay Rate: £32 per hour Contract Length: 3 Months Shift Pattern: Monday and Friday, and then Monday and Tuesday on a two-weekly rota Working hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Get ready for an exhilarating opportunity that awaits in the heart of Leatherhead. If you're a motivated professional seeking your next adventure in mental health care, this position as a Band 7 Registered Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Social Worker is just what you’ve been looking for. Join us to play a pivotal role in reshaping community mental health services within primary care, advancing the NHS Long Term Plan's ambitious vision. Your skills and passion are needed to develop and deliver pivotal support for individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). Perks and benefits: - Competitive Pay: Earn £32 hourly in this rewarding role, ensuring you are well-compensated for your expertise. - Great opportunity to work with the NHS Trust: Enhance your career by collaborating with one of the most respected healthcare providers globally. - Excellent working environment: Experience a supportive and innovative atmosphere that fosters personal and professional growth. - Flexible working arrangements: Enjoy a balanced lifestyle with our two-weekly rota that allows you to maximise personal time. - Locum Benefits: Enhance your skills, expand your network, and explore different work settings, reinvigorating your passion for healthcare. What you will do: - Service Development & Delivery: Be at the forefront of developing the primary care mental health service model and care pathways. - Patient Care & Support: Conduct mental health assessments and provide essential interventions within primary care settings. - Liaison, Education & Training: Mould the primary care team’s perspective on mental health and offer training. - Monitoring & Evaluation: Engage in formal evaluations, ensuring the maintenance of high clinical standards. - Professional Development: Continuously improve your skills, ensuring adherence to professional codes of conduct. - Management & Leadership: Introduce improved procedures while taking on delegated management tasks efficiently. Role Suitability: This role is tailored for a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN), Occupational Therapist (OT), or Social Worker (SW). System Knowledge: Experience with EMIS and S1 is desirable but not mandatory. Qualifications Required: You must have a professional qualification in Mental Health Nursing, Occupational Therapy, or Social Work. Experience Required: Experience in delivering evidence-based interventions for mental health and serious mental illness is essential. Requirements: We’re looking for individuals who are proactive and enthusiastic about innovative and top-notch mental health care. A valid driving licence and access to a vehicle are necessary. Leatherhead offers the perfect mix of serene countryside and vibrant community, making it a fantastic place to live and work. The town boasts excellent transport links, recreational opportunities, and a strong sense of locality. Join us in making a meaningful difference in mental health care while enjoying all that Leatherhead has to offer. Working with Sanctuary Personnel: Sanctuary Personnel is a trusted and award-winning agency for roles. With an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot from over 1,000 reviews and many prestigious industry awards, we are dedicated to finding you the best possible rates in roles that match your skills and experience.
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Community Psychiatric ...
Charlton
£29 per hour
JOB-20240911-c1c514b9 Community Psychiatric Nurse - Band 6 Care Coordinator in Charlton, UK, earning ££29 hourly, Full Time for 3 Months. Unleash your potential and embark on a rewarding journey with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust as a Community Psychiatric Nurse. Nestled in the vibrant locale of Charlton, you will join an enthusiastic team dedicated to delivering top-notch mental health care. With a competitive hourly rate of ££29, this Full Time opportunity spans the course of 3 months, offering you the chance to make a substantial impact on the community. Perks and benefits: Experience the flexibility of locum work, which allows you to manage your own schedule and gain exposure to a variety of clinical settings. In this role, you will work 37.5 hours per week, enabling you to enjoy a healthy work-life balance. Additional perks include comprehensive access to continuous professional development opportunities, elevated job satisfaction from diverse caseloads, and the chance to be part of a supportive, forward-thinking team committed to mental health advocacy. Our vibrant team values inclusivity and is eager to welcome you into a collaborative environment. What you will do: Manage an allocated caseload, ensuring that all service users receive high-quality and personalised care. Complete referral forms and liaise with teams for smooth client transitions between services. Maintain accurate records and report any incidents in adherence with Trust Policy. Safeguard service users by following established procedures and raising alerts when necessary. Administer medication safely and according to legal and Trust guidelines. Provide leadership and supervision to junior staff, enhancing their skills and practices. Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies to deliver comprehensive care. Engage in regular practice reflection and supervision, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Why Charlton: Located in South-East London, Charlton offers a perfect blend of urban excitement and tranquil green spaces, with excellent transport links and a welcoming community atmosphere. It's an ideal place to work, live, and explore, with easy access to cultural landmarks and amenities. Come and experience the charm and vibrancy of Charlton while making a lasting contribution to mental health care. Join us and be part of a dedicated team working towards positive change in the community's mental health landscape! Working with Sanctuary Personnel: Sanctuary Personnel is a trusted and award-winning agency for roles. With an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot from over 1,000 reviews and many prestigious industry awards, we are dedicated to finding you the best possible rates in roles that match your skills and experience.
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Community Psychiatric ...
Churchdown
£27 per hour
JOB-20240911-c1c514b9 Are you an experienced Registered Mental Health Practitioner eager to take on a thrilling new challenge? We have an incredible opportunity for a Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN) - Band 6 within the Mental Health sector in the charming town of Churchdown, UK. This ongoing locum position offers an impressive hourly rate of £27 for a full-time commitment. Perks and benefits: Embrace the flexibility and high earning potential that come with locum work, allowing you to have greater control over your schedule and work-life balance. Our competitive hourly salary of £27 ensures you are rewarded generously for your expertise and hard work. Enjoy full-time hours which mean stability and predictability. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to work within a dynamic and supportive team environment, offering ample opportunities for professional growth and development. You'll also gain diverse clinical experience, enhancing your skill set in a variety of scenarios which can lead to further career advancements. What you will do: Conduct thorough assessments of newly referred adults to the Community Mental Health Team. Function as a Mental Health Practitioner under the Care Programme Approach for a specified caseload of service users and their carers. Deliver evidence-based psychosocial interventions focusing on engagement, recovery, and social inclusion, while addressing the physical health care needs. Manage a caseload of service-users with complex needs and act as lead professional and care co-ordinator under the CPA process. Utilise evidence-based and client-centred principles to assess needs, and to plan, implement, and evaluate health and social care interventions. Facilitate timely progression through the service and enable step-down to low intensity services and primary care. Offer leadership to junior staff through supervision and appraisal. Participate in the planning, development, and evaluation of multidisciplinary team (MDT) services, holding responsibility for specific projects. Supervise and mentor students on practice placements. Coordinate meetings and undertake duty responsibilities as part of MDT activities. Provide profession-specific interventions for the wider team as needed and as per NICE guidelines. Deliver timely NICE-concordant interventions to clients and their carers. Engage in team and mandatory training for ongoing professional development. Churchdown is a delightful place to establish both personal and professional roots. Nestled between Gloucester and Cheltenham, this quaint town offers a perfect blend of idyllic countryside charm and accessible urban amenities. Living and working in Churchdown presents the opportunity to enjoy a serene lifestyle while still being connected to the energy of nearby cities. Join us and become part of a community where your professional skills are respected and where you can make a real impact on individuals' lives. Working with Sanctuary Personnel: Sanctuary Personnel is a trusted and award-winning agency for roles. With an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot from over 1,000 reviews and many prestigious industry awards, we are dedicated to finding you the best possible rates in roles that match your skills and experience.
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Community Psychiatric ...
London
£27 per hour
JOB-20240911-c1c514b9 Community Psychiatric Nurse, Amethyst Ward, Dartmouth Park Hill (UK), £27 Hourly, Ongoing, Monday - Friday (9am - 5pm), Full Time Embark on an enriching journey as a Community Psychiatric Nurse at the Amethyst Ward in Dartmouth Park Hill. This ongoing opportunity offers a rewarding career marked by significant personal and professional growth. As a Band 6 nurse, you’ll be pivotal in engaging with patients, conducting comprehensive mental health assessments, and collaborating within a multidisciplinary team. With expertise in using systems like RIO, E-obs, and FLOW, you’ll ensure the highest standards of care and safety for your patients. Perks and benefits: Locum: Experience the flexibility and variety that locum work offers, allowing you to enhance your skills across different settings while maintaining excellent work-life balance. Competitive Pay: Enjoy a competitive hourly rate of £27, acknowledging your hard work and expertise in psychiatric nursing. Professional Growth: Benefit from ongoing education opportunities to keep abreast of the latest in mental health care and continue your professional development. Vibrant Team Environment: Be part of a dynamic and supportive team dedicated to delivering quality mental health services, where your voice matters and collaboration is key. Work-Life Balance: With a shift pattern of Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, you’ll have your evenings and weekends free to pursue personal passions or relax. What you will do: Perform in-depth mental health assessments, including risk assessments and developing tailored care plans. Manage and de-escalate psychiatric crises using both verbal and, when necessary, physical interventions. Lead medication management, ensuring safe administration, monitoring, and patient education on psychotropic drugs. Monitor physical health to address coexisting medical conditions and potential health concerns in a mental health context. Maintain meticulous records for continuity of care and legal compliance while monitoring patient progress. Establish rapport with patients, fostering therapeutic relationships and supporting them in expressing their needs. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including psychiatrists and social workers, to provide holistic care. Support families and carers by offering information and guidance to navigate complex patient dynamics. Supervise and mentor junior staff, guiding them towards best practices and professional development. Make informed decisions in managing complex cases and determining emergency interventions. Deliver psychosocial and therapeutic interventions, enhancing patient recovery and advocacy. Adapt care approaches to cater to diverse backgrounds, emphasizing trauma-informed care principles. Enhance your understanding of mental health legislation and safeguarding to protect vulnerable individuals. Build resilience and emotional intelligence to effectively handle the challenges of acute environments. Stay committed to continuous learning, evolving with mental health care advancements and research. You will find living and working in Dartmouth Park Hill not just fulfilling but also exciting. This thriving area offers a vibrant cultural scene, excellent transport links, and a welcoming community, making it an ideal location for both work and leisure. Don't miss the chance to elevate your career in such an inspiring place. Working with Sanctuary Personnel: Sanctuary Personnel is a trusted and award-winning agency for roles. With an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot from over 1,000 reviews and many prestigious industry awards, we are dedicated to finding you the best possible rates in roles that match your skills and experience.
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Community Psychiatric ...
Greenwich
£27 per hour
JOB-20240911-c1c514b9 Exciting Opportunity: Locum Community Psychiatric Nurse - Care Co-ordinator in Greenwich, UK. Join us at the Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and earn a competitive £27 hourly rate, with this ongoing full-time role offering you the chance to make a real difference in South-East London’s incredible communities. Perks and Benefits: Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week, giving you a fulfilling work-life balance. Flexibility: Enjoy the choice and freedom that comes with locum work, allowing you to pick the shifts that best fit your lifestyle. Professional Growth: Access a wealth of training and development opportunities to boost your career trajectory. Variety: Work across diverse community settings, ensuring each day is different and engaging. What you will do: Manage an allocated caseload and coordinate care plans for mental health service users in community settings. Network with relevant teams for smooth transitions of clients between services. Safely handle and administer medication, following professional standards and Trust policies. Prepare reports and maintain accurate patient records. Engage in reflective practice and support junior staff through clinical supervision. Lead and participate in meetings to discuss and evaluate client care. Greenwich is not only a cornerstone of history and culture, but it's also an exceptional place to work and live. With its blend of vibrant community life, rich maritime heritage, and stunning green spaces, it promises an exciting lifestyle backed by an organization where values, teamwork, and employee wellbeing are paramount. Join us to be a part of this fascinating area and our inspiring team, making a lasting impact on lives. Working with Sanctuary Personnel: Sanctuary Personnel is a trusted and award-winning agency for roles. With an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot from over 1,000 reviews and many prestigious industry awards, we are dedicated to finding you the best possible rates in roles that match your skills and experience.
Apply now
Blogs in Mental Health Nursing
New agreement to limit police response to mental health crises
The NHS, police and government have committed to a new approach to ensure urgent mental health support is delivered by the most appropriate agency. The new National Partnership Agreement encourages local areas across England to implement the Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) strategy which was created by Humberside Police and the NHS in 2019. When the threshold for police involvement is not met, partners will agree the best health-based approach. In Humberside, emergencies are attended by a specialist response vehicle carrying mental health staff. Based on the experience in Humberside, it’s estimated that RCRP could save up to one million hours of police officer time per year, enabling forces to put greater focus on fighting crime and protecting communities. “Anyone going through something as awful as a mental health crisis deserves to know they’ll receive the best possible emergency response,” said Maria Caulfield, Minister for Mental Health. “It’s vital the right people who are trained and skilled to deal with the situation are on the scene to assist.” Mixed responseThe new partnership agreement has been welcomed by senior representatives of police forces and the NHS and there’s no doubt that a solution to avoid mental health patients being dealt with solely by police is long overdue. However, concerns about the new agreement have been expressed by other professionals, including campaigners, social workers and charities. According to an article in the British Association of Social Workers’ PSW magazine published in June, former inspector of constabulary Zoe Billingham described the planned partnership agreement as ‘potentially alarming’. Amongst their other duties, Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs) are responsible for setting up and co-ordinating assessments under the Mental Health Act and, if necessary, making applications to detain people in hospital for assessment and treatment of their mental health needs. According to Skills for Care Workforce Intelligence Data from 2021-22, 94% of AMHPs are employed as social workers, and two thirds of AMHPs combined the role with another substantive role, for example working in frontline social work jobs. While supporting the RCRP in principle, the AMHP Leads Network warned that there could be widespread misinterpretation of when it is still appropriate for the police to attend. An AMHP Leads network spokesperson commented, “Police time needs to be free to continue to attend mental health related incidents in situations where there is no other appropriate agency, such as the application of s136 (emergency powers), warrants issued under s135 and support in situations where there is significant harm.”
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Study shows effectiveness of new talking therapy
In a pilot trial, Augmented Depression Therapy (ADepT) has shown potential to be even more successful than Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in building wellbeing and reducing depression at the end of treatment and over long-term follow-up. Run by the University of Exeter and funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR), the study was the first ever pilot randomised controlled trial evaluating the effects of ADepT in treating anhedonic depression. It showed that, while ADepT and CBT both led to clinically meaningful improvements in depression, wellbeing and all other secondary outcomes, ADepT showed potential to be superior to CBT in the primary wellbeing and depression outcomes and in nearly all secondary outcomes at six-month assessment. These gains were maintained when considering cumulative levels of each outcome across the 18-month trial follow-up. “Depression is widespread and a significant contributor to global disability, resulting in extensive social and economic costs,” said Barney Dunn, Professor or Clinical Psychology at the University of Exeter. “In ADepT, we encourage clients to take a new perspective on their difficulties, aiming to learn to live well alongside depressed mood.” A big issueGovernment statistics show that, in autumn 2022, around one in 16 adults in the UK were experiencing moderate to severe depressive symptoms. This was similar to the number found in summer 2021, but much higher than prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The current cost of living crisis has highlighted a possible link between depression and economic hardship. According to the ONS research, one in four adults who were struggling to pay their energy bills had moderate to severe depressive symptoms. That’s around three times the number of bill payers who were having no affordability issues. An NHS priorityThe National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends psychological therapies as first choice interventions for depression and anxiety disorders. Since 2008, the NHS has trained and employed an increasing number of clinicians, including psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health nurses, who work in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. Around 1.15 million people per year are now assessed by the IAPT programme, with over 600,000 going on to have a course of psychological therapy. In an interview with Independent Nurse, Chair of the NHSCC’s mental health commissioners network Dr Phil Moore emphasised the key role that those working in frontline healthcare jobs can play in ensuring people with depression have access to talking therapies: “Nurses, like GPs, play a really important part in helping identify people who would benefit from talking therapies and helping to make sure they are referred for treatment, whether through doing this directly or supporting them to self-refer if appropriate.”
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New mental health hub for children and young people
The first ever 24-hour mental health crisis hub for children and young people has opened in south-west Wales. Run by Hywel Dda University Health Board, the Bro Myrddin Wellbeing Hwb is located in Carmarthen and was created via a funding commitment in the 2021 Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh government and Plaid Cymru. Providing tailored mental health provision for children and young people in the right environment when they need it most, the Children and Young People’s Sanctuary service is aimed at preventing distressed children having to face long waits in A&E. It will also prevent the need for acute mental health wards to admit children for short assessments. “This newly developed 24/7 bespoke service will provide a safe space for children and young people who are in need of crisis support for their mental health, and who would have otherwise found themselves in busy A&E or mental health wards,” said Lynne Neagle, the Welsh government’s Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing. “These services are part of our efforts to transform the way the NHS responds to urgent mental health issues, and this project has seamlessly linked with the recently launched ‘111 press 2’ helpline for urgent mental health support and the conveyance service provided in partnership with St John’s Ambulance.” Similar mental health hubs for children and young people are being developed in other locations across Wales, with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham), Swansea Bay University Health Board and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen and South Powys) all planning to invest in their own facilities. Why the mental health hub is needed According to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), three quarters of life-long mental health problems in the UK start before the age of 25 and today’s children and young people are considered to have worse mental health outcomes compared to previous generations. RCPCH research indicates that, of all the UK nations, Wales has the lowest number of psychiatrists and the second lowest number of community mental health nurses and psychologists (6 and 8 per 100,000 population). The importance of early intervention Research also shows that early detection and treatment of mental health challenges can reduce their impact over time. As well as psychiatrists and psychologists, those working in mental health nursing jobs play a vital role in preventing the development of mental health problems in children and young people and should be aware of the risk factors. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has published a range of resources to support nurses in learning about children and young people’s mental health, including books, reports and journal articles. Access them here.
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Welsh mental health helpline offers neurodivergence support
Families in Wales living with autism and other neurodivergent conditions can now access specialist support via a 24-hour helpline. The Community Advice & Listening Line (CALL) is a service which provides free access to advice and information for anyone living in Wales who needs support with their mental health. Helpline operatives have now received additional training in neurodivergence from the National Autism Team, enabling them to provide specialist support for people living with neurodivergent conditions, such as autism, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dyspraxia. The Welsh government has a strong track record in recognising the needs of neurodivergent people and driving innovation in delivery of specialist care and support. In 2008 it established Autism Wales, which provides expert information, guidance and training resources for people living with autism and their families, as well as professionals, such as teachers, healthcare workers and social workers. In 2016 the government introduced seven Integrated Autism Services across Wales, forming a partnership between health boards and local authorities. In 2021 it published the Statutory Code of the Delivery of Autism Services, which sets out the responsibilities of public bodies to ensure the needs of autistic people are met. “Many families have expressed a need to be able to share their anxieties, that having someone who is able to listen to them, without judgment, would make a difference to their lives and wellbeing,” said Julie Morgan, Welsh Deputy Minister for Social Services. “I am pleased to say that we are listening and we are taking action.” What is neurodiversity?Every person’s brain is unique. Neurodiversity is the concept that brain differences are natural variations. It acknowledges that many people’s brains simply work in a different way, making them ‘neurodivergent’ rather than ‘neurotypical’. According to The Brain Charity, at least 20% of the UK adult population may be diagnosed with neurological conditions such as autism, dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). People with such conditions can be considered to be neurodivergent. Autism practice guide for social workersThe British Association of Social Workers (BASW) has published a downloadable practice guide to support social workers in working with autistic children and adults. It’s designed to help social workers understand the often complex issues relating to autism and to facilitate best practice with autistic people, their families, and supporters. Neurodiversity in social work jobsOf course, social workers themselves can be affected by neurodivergence, either personally or through family members. As in many other professions and industries, there is a significant percentage of neurodivergent people working in social work roles. The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) has a Neurodivergent Social Workers Special Interest Group, which holds virtual meetings on the last Tuesday of every month.Looking for mental health nursing jobs? Find out how we can help.
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More mental health teams to support rough sleepers
New funding of £3.2 million will create 14 additional mental health outreach teams to operate in locations with high rates of homelessness. Combining the skills of doctors, mental health nurses and other clinicians, alongside specialist local authority staff, the new multi-disciplinary mental health teams will identify rough sleepers in need of help and support them in accessing expert mental health care via a GP. The teams will also coordinate treatment and support with other local organisations, including councils and charities. The 14 new outreach teams will be based in local authority areas across England, including the London boroughs of Brent, Westminster and Camden, South Western counties, the Surrey and Berkshire commuter belt, the seaside town of Great Yarmouth, and the cities of Manchester and Sheffield. This takes the total number of areas with specialist mental health provision for rough sleepers to 37, which exceeds the target of 20 specified in the NHS Mental Health Implementation Plan, published in 2019 to accompany the NHS Long Term Plan.Rise in rough sleepingAccording to the government’s latest Rough Sleeping Snapshot, the number of people estimated to be sleeping rough in England on a single night in autumn 2022 was 3069, showing an increase for the first time in five years. Although the figure is 35% down on the peak figure recorded in 2017, it’s still 74% higher than 2010, when the snapshot reports were introduced. While rough sleeping had increased in every region in England compared to the previous year, there were a number of hotspots where increases were particularly acute, with over half the increase accounted for by just 15 locations. Unsurprisingly, London was top of the list with a 34% increase. However, the South East of England and the West Midlands came a close joint second at 29%, followed by the North East at 27%. Compared with the general population, homeless people are twice as likely to suffer from common mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety and panic disorder. As for cases of psychosis, they are 15 times more prevalent in homeless people. Research also shows a link between mental health and sleeping rough, with people being 50% more likely to have spent over a year sleeping rough if they’re also experiencing mental ill health. A joined-up approachThe new specialist teams are part of co-ordinated, multi-agency efforts to improve access to mental health support for rough sleepers. This involves integrating care from specialist mental health professionals such as doctors, nurses and psychiatrists with existing outreach, accommodation, drug and alcohol, and physical healthcare services. “While the NHS cannot solve homelessness on its own, we are trying to reach out to homeless people and working hard to ensure that those who need mental health support get it,” said Professor Tim Kendall, NHS England Clinical National Director for Mental Health. “To do that, we are making it as easy as possible to access services, designed and built around patients’ needs.”
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“I feel at the heart of the team,” says agency Clinical Nurse Specialist, Kirsty
Fresh from being nominated as Star of the Month at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Trust, we catch up with Clinical Nurse Specialist, Kirsty Phillips. In a heartfelt account, she shares her experience of moving into an agency role and what it’s like to work for the young person’s mental health service, Forward Thinking Birmingham. What is your current role, and where are you located?Sure. I'm a Clinical Nurse Specialist with Forward Thinking Birmingham, although my formal job title is Clinical Team Manager. I specialise in mental health, working with young people. Forward Thinking Birmingham's quite different to other NHS trusts. Most trusts have separate mental health services for children (0-18 years) and adults, but so many people get lost in the transition from adolescence to adulthood. That’s why we work differently. We recognise that because of how that brain develops, it’s far more beneficial to treat and care for patients up to the age of 25. How long have you been working there as an agency nurse? I started at Forward Thinking Birmingham as an agency Senior Triage Clinician with Sanctuary Personnel in October 2021. There was a moment when I briefly moved to another trust as a permanent therapist, but the role did not suit me in the way that I had hoped. So, I came back to Forward Thinking Birmingham as a locum clinical nurse, which is absolutely the place I wish to stay forever. It’s where I am meant to be. Could you provide a quick career summary to date?I've been a mental health nurse for nearly eight years. I started working in the independent sector, mostly within inpatient services. After some time, I moved across to working with young people and trained as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist before returning to inpatient care. By the time I saw an agency position advertised, I had already gained a well-rounded experience. I had worked for places where I felt valued and somewhere I had felt less so. It was by pure chance that I saw Ziggy's (my Sanctuary consultant) post on LinkedIn. I could immediately see that my skills would be a good match. I was keen to give it a go and see what happens. I am so glad that I did because it is my absolute dream job in terms of the type and pace of the work. To be honest, when I met Ziggy, I felt like being an agency mental health nurse was just meant to be. We've become good friends, and he isn't even paying me to be! I'd never been an agency nurse before. I had some questions about the unknown; “Where am I going to be sent? And What am I going to be doing?”. I just felt like I was ready. I needed to throw myself into something and the opportunity was just perfect. What do you enjoy most about being a mental health nurse?I am fascinated by the brain. As a Clinical Nurse Specialist, it’s clinically interesting and vital to my role to understand how the brain can make people do the most extreme things. With this understanding, I like to help young people experiencing psychotic delusions and other serious mental health challenges feel valued and cared for. This is what appealed about the job in the first place. I loved that I would be making constant connections with people. It was a big change from my previous practice. And it suits me to the ground, which is just so nice. Some people prefer face-to-face contact, something they can do at a slower pace, whereas this team is very fast-paced. We're processing referrals day in, day out. There are 20 plus staff who bring their best every day. It’s always different, it's always busy, and it's always exciting. It's just brilliant. Could you tell us about your recent Star of the Month award nomination?Since I've come back into more of a team management role, my job now is to look after the more junior staff, develop them, and monitor their work. Within a few weeks of returning to the service, I set up a supervision schedule, teaching junior members of staff about certain conditions such as psychosis and eating disorders and how to manage those types of referrals. That’s why I was nominated as Star of the Month. I was keen to develop individual clinicians and the service. I'm currently supporting one of the junior staff with creating an audit tool for suicidality in Birmingham, so we've been reviewing a lot of the presentations. Self-harm and suicide among young people will be developed into an audit tool to change how we work through the Trust. I’ve not developed it, but I've been there every step with the person doing it. I’m there to guide and mentor them in the approach. Do you remember what drew you to Sanctuary in the first place? From the offset, Ziggy provided me with immediate support. He was so responsive. I was applying for jobs with other agencies on Indeed and I wasn’t hearing back from anyone. Then I got in touch with Sanctuary. Within half an hour, Ziggy was phoning me, getting to know me, sorting out all my paperwork. It couldn't have been any quicker. He just really went for it, and it made me feel so supported. He guided me through the interview process and was relentless in chasing the manager to get me on board. Going the extra mile with all those little things, I really appreciated it. What's so special about where you work?It’s very supportive and collaborative. You know everyone's got their own cases to be getting on with that they're responsible for, but no one is ever too busy to help. It really is like a family here. I’ve got so many people I count on, and you're never on your own with anything. How valued do you feel as an agency nurse?I don't feel any different to anybody who's in a permanent role. I was really worried about that when I started. I thought I might feel like someone on the outside or like I was just there just to fill a gap, and it's not like that at all. I feel at the heart of the team. I've never felt any different to permanent members of the team, which is fantastic. If you were to describe Sanctuary to another nurse, what would you say?Sanctuary is beyond anything else. It’s their level of professionalism, care, and getting-to-know-you that really matters. At other agencies, it can be a bit like, “Here’s your shift”, and that’s it. With Sanctuary, everything just feels like a normal job. I just happened to get paid weekly; that's the main difference. What do you do to balance work and life? I have 3 chihuahuas who basically take up all my free time. One is tattooed on my arm. The other two will eventually be added. I also have a giant cat, which is bigger than my dogs. My wife and I like to get out in the open and go for long walks, which is great for my own mental health, as is listening to podcasts. I’m also big into fitness, which my job allows because I can clock-off and not think too much about my workload. Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years? What's next?I'd like to still be here. This is the place that fulfils me. I have no intention of being anywhere else. Had I not seen Ziggy’s post, I’d be telling you a completely different story. I have been really fortunate with how things have turned out.
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