Service Manager & Approved Mental Health Professionals Lead for AMHP’s & Out of Hours Service

• Adult Social Care directorate
• Location: Countywide
• Ideal opportunity for an experienced practitioner/leader looking for their next step
• 33 days annual leave entitlement
• Options for hybrid working

We’re working to improve the lives of people with mental health needs in Somerset – and you’ll be a key part of that.

As a Service Manager, you'll play a crucial role in our new team structure, supporting the Strategic Manager for Mental Health and being part of our management team.

You'll lead and manage the AMHP and Out of Hours Service, ensuring prompt and organised service delivery. Your expertise and strong leadership will embed high-quality AMHP practice across adult social care, providing clarity, management, and motivation to your teams.

You'll oversee and ensure that Approved Mental Health Professionals across the whole of Somerset are fit to practise and adhere to the Mental Health Regulations 2008. Collaboration with health, therapy, and community partners is essential, and you'll promote independence and recovery through a strengths-based, community-focused approach.

With strong social care values, a 'can do' attitude, and the ability to advocate for human rights, you'll be brave in your approach, not afraid to do things differently for the benefit of service users.  Join Somerset and bring your creative spark to our team!

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But to be successful in the role you will:

• Hold a recognised Social Work professional qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
• Qualified AMHP.
• Have a full UK drivers licence and access to a vehicle.
• Have or are prepared to gain an appropriate management qualification and be able to demonstrate significant post-qualification personal development (CPD).
• Have knowledge and understanding of the impact of mental health conditions and the effects on individuals/carers/families.
• Have knowledge and understanding of relevant policy and legislation (including mental health and wider social care)
• Have experience of practice teaching/supervising/ coaching and/or managing staff
• Have experience of working in partnership with statutory/voluntary organisations to promote the independence of service users.
• Have experience of managing within allocated resources.
• Have knowledge of Performance Management in health and social care settings
• Have an understanding of the principles of citizen directed support.
• Have the ability to prioritise between conflicting demands.
• Have IT, report writing and communication skills.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

At Somerset Council, we work hard to attract the best staff and we want to make sure that once you are on board, you are well supported and rewarded for the work you do.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• This grade offers 33 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and the option to request to buy up to 2 weeks additional annual leave pro rata
• Hybrid working options where the role allows
• A clear career pathway with apprenticeships, professional, leadership and academic programmes and qualifications, regular CPD opportunities and a corporate coaching and mentoring scheme
• A new comprehensive induction programme supported by Practice Development Advanced Practitioners, plus a confidential and impartial welcome call to ensure your induction goes smoothly
• Ongoing support & development opportunities – regular CPD events arranged and delivered by our dedicated Adult Social Care Learning and Development team, including an annual Carnival of Practice event with key speakers such as the Chief Social Worker, a team of Advanced Practitioner – Practice Development roles to support our workforce, personalised personal development plans, a corporate coaching and mentoring scheme.
• Local Government pension scheme
• Employee support networks that acknowledge and celebrate the richness of diversity and equality within our workforce
• Guaranteed Interview Schemes – Disability Confident, Veterans, Care Leavers
• Employee assistance and support offering a variety of wellbeing services and events to support a healthy work/life balance inc. a free online gym offer, dedicated Mental Wellbeing Ambassadors and much more!
• Relocation of up to £8,000, subject to meeting eligibility requirements.
• Access to the Blue Light Card which offers thousands of discounts online and on the high street
• My Staff Shop which offers a variety of discounts including; cinemas, shopping, restaurants, gym discounts and more!
• Discounted lease car options via salary sacrifice, along with discounts on fuel
• Cycle to work scheme

This is a Grade 7 post with a current salary of £53,392 per annum.

Closing date: 28th February 2025

Interview dates: 12th & 14th March 2025

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Karen Johnson on 01823 355620 or karen.johnson@somerset.gov.uk.

When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.

If you have all the information you need, just hit the apply button - we can’t wait to hear from you.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early if we have received a sufficient number of applications, so don't delay, apply today!

We are reclaiming narratives about social work and believe in the power of lived experiences of people (including workers) and sharing stories. To get a sense of this, listen to Social Work Sessions podcast: Social Work Sessions

Somerset is situated in a beautiful, rural county in a central southwest location but with good city links. With scenic countryside, historic sites, charming towns and villages, family-friendly attractions, beaches, festivals (Glastonbury!) and events, outdoor activities, zoos, water parks and plenty of local produce to try, there’s something for everyone!

This post requires a criminal background check via the Disclosure procedure.