Mental Health Act Compliance Officer

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Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Mental Health Act Compliance Officer

The closing date is 15 November 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

The Mental Health Act Compliance Officer provides specialist administrative support to ensure the timely, accurate and lawful administration of the Mental Health Act. The role includes receiving, recording and scrutinising statutory documentation; identifying errors, omissions and approaching deadlines; maintaining accurate Mental Health Act records; and taking or escalating appropriate action. You will support the administration and coordination of statutory hearings, respond to queries about Mental Health Act processes and work closely with clinical teams, colleagues and partner organisations. You will manage and prioritise your workload to meet statutory and local deadlines, maintain confidentiality and use Trust information systems accurately and securely. The role also contributes to audit, data quality and service improvement. You will be supported to develop and maintain your knowledge of the Mental Health Act, associated legislation, statutory guidance and Trust procedures. Excellent attention to detail, organisation and communication skills are essential, together with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Main duties of the job

As a Mental Health Act Compliance Officer, you will provide specialist administrative support for the operation of the Mental Health Act. Your main duties will include:

• receiving, recording and scrutinising statutory Mental Health Act documentation;
• identifying errors, omissions and discrepancies and taking or escalating appropriate action;
• maintaining accurate and up-to-date Mental Health Act information and patient records;
• monitoring statutory and local deadlines and prioritising work accordingly;
• responding to administrative queries regarding Mental Health Act processes and referring complex matters appropriately;
• supporting the administration and coordination of patient hearings, including Associate Hospital Managers' hearings;
• using Trust-approved digital and information systems securely and accurately;
• contributing to audit, data-quality and service-improvement activity;
• maintaining your knowledge of the Mental Health Act, associated legislation, statutory guidance and Trust procedures; and
• working flexibly with colleagues to maintain continuity of Mental Health Act administration.

The role requires excellent attention to detail, sound organisational skills and the ability to manage competing demands while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.

About us

You will join the Mental Health Act Team within the Integrated Legal Team, working with colleagues across the Trust and with a wide range of external partners involved in Mental Health Act processes. The role involves working with clinical teams, Associate Hospital Managers, advocacy services, the Mental Health Tribunal Service, local authorities, other NHS organisations and other external agencies. We are looking for someone who can bring a compassionate, accountable and optimistic approach to their work. You will be supported to develop and maintain your knowledge of the Mental Health Act and associated legislation through experience, research, supervision and training. The Mental Health Act Team works in an area where accuracy, confidentiality, dignity, equality, human rights and individual autonomy are particularly important. You will be expected to communicate sensitively and professionally and work collaboratively with colleagues and partner organisations. We welcome applicants with strong transferable administrative skills who are keen to develop specialist knowledge. Previous NHS, health, social care, legal or regulatory administration experience is desirable rather than essential, and a Mental Health Law qualification is also listed as desirable rather than essential.

Details

Date posted

30 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

354-CO-22008

Job locations

Langley Green Hospital

Martyrs Avenue

Crawley

RH11 7EJ

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

The postholder will undertake Mental Health Act administration independently in accordance with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, Trust policies and procedures and the Standards for Mental Health Act Administration. Mental Health Act administration The postholder will:

• receive, record and scrutinise statutory documentation relating to patients subject to the Mental Health Act;
• identify errors, omissions, discrepancies and approaching deadlines and take or escalate appropriate action within the boundaries of the role;
• maintain accurate, complete and up-to-date Mental Health Act and legal records;
• ensure information relating to detained patients is accurately maintained on Trust patient record systems;
• respond to administrative queries relating to the Mental Health Act and associated processes, referring complex legal or clinical matters appropriately; and
• work flexibly with Mental Health Act Team colleagues to maintain continuity of statutory administration and service delivery.

Hearings and statutory processes The postholder will:

• support the administration and coordination of patient hearings;
• support and facilitate Associate Hospital Managers in undertaking their role; and
• monitor relevant actions and deadlines associated with Mental Health Act administrative processes.

Information, data quality and systems The postholder will:

• accurately enter, retrieve, review and maintain information held on approved Trust systems;
• use Trust-approved digital and information systems in accordance with data protection, information governance, records management and information-security requirements;
• maintain confidentiality when working with sensitive patient and legal information; and
• contribute to routine audit, data-quality checking and service-improvement activity within the Mental Health Act administration service.

Communication and partnership working The postholder will:

• communicate clearly, sensitively and professionally with staff and external professionals;
• respond to queries within the scope of the role and recognise when senior, legal or clinical advice is required;
• work collaboratively with Mental Health Act Team colleagues, clinical services and partner organisations; and
• maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Organisation and workload management The postholder will:

• plan and organise their daily workload to ensure statutory and local deadlines are met;
• manage multiple and sometimes conflicting demands in a busy working environment;
• maintain concentration and accuracy when working under pressure;
• recognise and appropriately escalate risks, delays and matters outside the scope of the role; and
• provide cover and work flexibly with colleagues to support continuity of Mental Health Act administration.

Learning and continuous improvement The postholder will:

• develop and maintain specialist working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and associated legislation through experience, research and training;
• maintain current knowledge of relevant case law, statutory guidance and Trust procedures;
• attend supervision, Mental Health Act Team meetings and relevant Trust training;
• contribute constructively to process review and continuous improvement; and
• support new colleagues by sharing agreed processes and good administrative practice, where appropriate.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The postholder will undertake Mental Health Act administration independently in accordance with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, Trust policies and procedures and the Standards for Mental Health Act Administration. Mental Health Act administration The postholder will:

• receive, record and scrutinise statutory documentation relating to patients subject to the Mental Health Act;
• identify errors, omissions, discrepancies and approaching deadlines and take or escalate appropriate action within the boundaries of the role;
• maintain accurate, complete and up-to-date Mental Health Act and legal records;
• ensure information relating to detained patients is accurately maintained on Trust patient record systems;
• respond to administrative queries relating to the Mental Health Act and associated processes, referring complex legal or clinical matters appropriately; and
• work flexibly with Mental Health Act Team colleagues to maintain continuity of statutory administration and service delivery.

Hearings and statutory processes The postholder will:

• support the administration and coordination of patient hearings;
• support and facilitate Associate Hospital Managers in undertaking their role; and
• monitor relevant actions and deadlines associated with Mental Health Act administrative processes.

Information, data quality and systems The postholder will:

• accurately enter, retrieve, review and maintain information held on approved Trust systems;
• use Trust-approved digital and information systems in accordance with data protection, information governance, records management and information-security requirements;
• maintain confidentiality when working with sensitive patient and legal information; and
• contribute to routine audit, data-quality checking and service-improvement activity within the Mental Health Act administration service.

Communication and partnership working The postholder will:

• communicate clearly, sensitively and professionally with staff and external professionals;
• respond to queries within the scope of the role and recognise when senior, legal or clinical advice is required;
• work collaboratively with Mental Health Act Team colleagues, clinical services and partner organisations; and
• maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Organisation and workload management The postholder will:

• plan and organise their daily workload to ensure statutory and local deadlines are met;
• manage multiple and sometimes conflicting demands in a busy working environment;
• maintain concentration and accuracy when working under pressure;
• recognise and appropriately escalate risks, delays and matters outside the scope of the role; and
• provide cover and work flexibly with colleagues to support continuity of Mental Health Act administration.

Learning and continuous improvement The postholder will:

• develop and maintain specialist working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and associated legislation through experience, research and training;
• maintain current knowledge of relevant case law, statutory guidance and Trust procedures;
• attend supervision, Mental Health Act Team meetings and relevant Trust training;
• contribute constructively to process review and continuous improvement; and
• support new colleagues by sharing agreed processes and good administrative practice, where appropriate.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• A sound educational background with good analytical and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Willingness and ability to learn quickly and gain a working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 and associated legislation.

Desirable

• Certificate in Mental Health Law (or similar qualification) or significant relevant experience

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

• Experience in a working environment with regular contact with work colleagues/public.
• Previous experience in a lead administrative role
• Ability to learn to understand and interpret provisions of the Mental Health Act and associated legislation, seeking appropriate advice and guidance where necessary

Desirable

• Previous NHS experience

Skills

Essential

• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy to all relevant professionals, patients, relatives and carers
• Ability to understand and interpret statute law, statutory and non-statutory guidance.
• High level of accuracy and an eye for detail required in all aspects of job role.
• The ability to prioritise work to meet legal and local deadlines.
• Use of computer based systems and programmes - Microsoft Word, Excel, Power-point and email

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• A sound educational background with good analytical and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Willingness and ability to learn quickly and gain a working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 and associated legislation.

Desirable

• Certificate in Mental Health Law (or similar qualification) or significant relevant experience

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

• Experience in a working environment with regular contact with work colleagues/public.
• Previous experience in a lead administrative role
• Ability to learn to understand and interpret provisions of the Mental Health Act and associated legislation, seeking appropriate advice and guidance where necessary

Desirable

• Previous NHS experience

Skills

Essential

• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy to all relevant professionals, patients, relatives and carers
• Ability to understand and interpret statute law, statutory and non-statutory guidance.
• High level of accuracy and an eye for detail required in all aspects of job role.
• The ability to prioritise work to meet legal and local deadlines.
• Use of computer based systems and programmes - Microsoft Word, Excel, Power-point and email

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Langley Green Hospital

Martyrs Avenue

Crawley

RH11 7EJ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Langley Green Hospital

Martyrs Avenue

Crawley

RH11 7EJ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Deputy MHA Service Manager

Lucy Taylor

[email protected]

07912660973

Details

Date posted

30 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

354-CO-22008

Job locations

Langley Green Hospital

Martyrs Avenue

Crawley

RH11 7EJ

United Kingdom

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