HQ Job Description (JD)
Band 8
Directorate: Wales and Public Protection
Job Description - Mental Health Casework Section
(MHCS) Head of Extremism Casework
Document Ref.
HQ-JES-2832 Mental Health Casework Section (MHCS) Head of
Extremism Casework v1.0
Document Type
Management
Version
1.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
22 July 2022
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
HQ-JES-2832 Mental Health Casework Section (MHCS) Head of Extremism Casework v1.0
Job Description
Job Title
Mental Health Casework Section (MHCS) Head of Extremism Casework
Directorate
Wales and Public Protection
Band
8
Overview of the job
MHCS discharges the Secretary of State’s functions under the Mental Health Act
1983 in respect of restricted patients. These are mentally disordered offenders who
present a risk of significant harm to the public. The Secretary of State’s functions
involve the transfer of prisoners to and from hospital, and the management of other
restricted patients diverted for treatment at the point of sentence who are either
detained in hospital or conditionally discharged to live in the community under
supervision. MHCS takes decisions on discharge, recall, community leave, transfer
and provides advice and training to stakeholders including clinicians at Consultant
level on the management of restricted patients.
MHCS manages all litigation concerning its decisions and MHCS challenges to
decisions of the First Tier Tribunal (Mental Health).
This newly established, high profile role will deliver MHCS’s commitments in regards
to terrorism and extremism, particularly in response to Jonathan Hall QC’s
independent review of MAPPA. Our case management of high profile TACT cases
requires a different approach to how MHCS currently operates; the post holder will
be responsible for establishing this new approach, working closely with partners.
In addition to our casework teams, MHCS’s Casework Support and Performance
Team (CPST) provide essential central support functions, implement thematic quality
assurance and improvement systems and provide full performance management
data. The post holder will work with the CPST in relation to quality assurance of
extremism related casework and reporting.
The post holder sets the direction for this work, delivering alongside other Heads of
Team in MHCS, and is accountable for decisions made on behalf of the Secretary of
State in respect of restricted patients (mentally disordered offenders who present a
risk of significant harm to the public) identified as of concern due to terrorism and/
or extremism.
The post holder is a member of the MHCS Senior Management Team (SMT). The
post holder will take part in corporate discussions, advice and decision-making for
MHCS as a whole and will lead for the MHCS SMT on cross-Section operational policy
in relation to extremism and terrorism.
The post holder reports to the Head of Mental Health Casework Section.
Summary
This exciting and high profile post will require the post holder to represent the
department regularly, delivering training, engaging with stakeholders, delivering
presentations and working with all relevant partners involved in the management of
this specialist area.
They will work directly to the Head of Section to further develop MHCS’s case
management approaches for high profile TACT and TACT Connected patients/
offenders. They will develop a detailed knowledge at individual case level and be
responsible for decision making in these cases. Decision making requires analysis of
clinical and legal reports balancing the rights of the patient to rehabilitation against
the need to protect the public from harm, within the legal framework of the Mental
Health Act 1983 and other legislation.
HQ-JES-2832 Mental Health Casework Section (MHCS) Head of Extremism Casework v1.0
The post holder will take ownership of development and delivery of new casework
practices for high profile extremism cases and build effective relationships with
partners to ensure effective case management practices are in place and risk is
appropriately managed. They will manage their own work and deliver to casework
targets and establish good working relationships with other agencies involved in the
management of restricted patients. They will attend MAPPA as appropriate and
represent MHCS at these meetings, using information appropriately to inform
decision making on caseload as necessary.
In order to undertake the role, the post holder will have, or will need to acquire, a
good understanding of the mental health legislative framework, case law,
Department of Health and NHSE&I guidance and the facilities available for the
management of restricted patients. Additionally they will be required to develop a
keen understanding of MHCS’s wider statutory responsibilities with regard to
Restricted Patients and participate in the Out of Hours rota.
The role requires SC clearance which can be obtained on appointment.
Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities
Activities and Duties
and duties:
• Manage a caseload of high profile TACT/TACT Connected cases. Developing
a detailed knowledge of each case at individual level to ensure MHCS can
provide greater scrutiny and closer communications between MHCS as
decision maker and partners.
• Provide leadership and direction to caseworkers and casework managers
involved in the wider casework responsibilities for this group of restricted
patients.
• Make, approve and oversee decisions in relation to this caseload, working
with case management systems as required.
• Develop systems and mechanisms to effectively communicate with partners
in such cases, and adapting style as appropriate to the audience.
• Develop and deliver MHCS strategic priorities in this area, including
delivering MHCS’s commitments in response to the Independent Review of
MAPPA in relation to Terrorist Risk Offenders.
• On behalf of MHCS, own and manage the terrorist risk information sharing
process.
• Attend MAPPA and other multi-agency meetings to discuss MHCS patients
who are of active interest to the Joint Extremism Unit, Counter Terrorism
Police, and others.
• Support information requests and flows on both strategic and tactical
information, lead on litigation cases, ministerial correspondence and treat
officials for this group of restricted patients.
• Actively build and maintain good working relationships with both HMPPS
colleagues and external partners at national, regional and local levels to
facilitate timely sharing of information.
• Review and evaluate the terrorist risk information sharing process and
make recommendations for development of that process.
• Work with related partners, including the National Security Division,
National Prison Intelligence Co-ordination Centre and Counter Terrorism
Police to develop joint agreement to ways of working.
• Develop and refine MHCS’s ability to report accurately on this patient
cohort working with MHCS CPS team as necessary. Compiling and analysing
statistics and information to ensure that all work is recorded. Analyse
performance data for this group of patients and highlight any issues to SMT
and Head of Section.
• Ensure case management systems have the ability to draw data into reports
for this cohort in a meaningful way.
• Become proficient in MHCS general casework practices and participate in
the MHCS Out of Hours Rota.
HQ-JES-2832 Mental Health Casework Section (MHCS) Head of Extremism Casework v1.0
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not
intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable
alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant
adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall
be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.
Behaviours
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Delivery at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
Strengths
It is advised strengths are chosen locally, recommended 4-8.
Ability
Experience
Technical
Minimum Eligibility
Please do not alter this box
• All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.
• All external candidates are subject to 6 months’ probation. Internal candidates are
subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within
HMPPS.
• All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or
organisation which HMPPS consider to be racist.
Hours of Work
Leave Blank
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
To be used by the JES Team only
HQ-JES-2832 Mental Health Casework Section (MHCS) Head of Extremism Casework v1.0
Success Profile
Strengths
Behaviours
It is advised strengths
Ability
Experience
Technical
are chosen locally,
recommended 4-8
Seeing the Big Picture
Changing and Improving
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Leadership
Delivering at Pace
Managing a Quality Service
Choose an item.
HQ-JES-2832 Mental Health Casework Section (MHCS) Head of Extremism Casework v1.0