Job overview

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.

Detailed job description and main 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 people’s 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. Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it’s important that examples and responses given in your supporting statement genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.

In addition to explaining how you meet the person specification, you must complete your employment history for at least the last five years. Any experience, skills or responsibilities referenced in your supporting statement should be evidenced within your employment history. Applications that do not include sufficient employment history to support the experience claimed may not be shortlisted.

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.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Person specification:

Previous Experience

Essential

• 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

Additional Requirements

Essential

• 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

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential

• 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

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

• Evidence of continuing professional development

Education, qualifications or training

Essential

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