- This post forms part of a service currently subject to a service improvement and redesign programme. Service delivery models, roles and structures will be reviewed as part of the improvement process, which may result in changes and a consultation process in line with the Trust’s Organisational Change Policy.
The Trust is committed to supporting staff throughout this process and ensuring fair and transparent decision-making.*
The Mental Health Support Team (MHST) Secretary will provide high quality administrative and secretarial support to the Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) across East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen. The postholder will play a key role in ensuring the smooth running of MHST operations, supporting the delivery of mental health services in educational settings, and maintaining effective communication across teams, schools and partner organisations. This includes supporting practitioners, managers, consultants and partner agencies.
The role requires strong organisational, communication and IT skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work independently as well as part of a team. Act as a first point of contact for enquiries from schools, parents/carers and partner agencies, ensuring queries are dealt with professionally and efficiently. A professional and compassionate approach is essential when handling sensitive information and communicating with children, young people, families and partner organisations.
This will include:
Provide a full secretarial and administrative service to MHST practitioners, consultants and managers, including accurate word processing, correspondence, reports and meeting papers.
Support the organisation of multi-disciplinary meetings, including preparation of agendas, note-taking, accurate minute writing and timely distribution of actions.
Maintain accurate and up to date electronic patient records (IAPTUS), ensuring data quality and compliance with Trust and NHS standards.
Manage incoming and outgoing correspondence (email, post and telephone), prioritising urgent matters appropriately.
Process referrals in line with agreed protocols and liaise with education settings, GP practices and other partner agencies where required.
Receive and respond to telephone and email enquiries from young people, parents/carers, schools and healthcare professionals in a professional and empathetic manner.
Provide reassurance and clear information when dealing with sensitive situations, ensuring queries are directed to the appropriate team member.
Manage appointments, follow up arrangements and cancellations in line with service protocols.
Maintain diaries, manage meeting arrangements and support with room bookings, travel and training events for staff.
Assist with induction and training of new administrative team members when required.
Provide cross cover and work flexibly with other administrators across Children & Young People’s Mental Health – East
LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.
Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you’d like to discuss your application, please ask.
We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.
LSCFT support flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi-time.
The wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a wide range of resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.
Explore our full wellbeing offer here: Keeping our workforce well
For more details on this vacancy please review the attached job description and person specification.
