Trainee Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) - Adult Social CareNHS

Job summary

Who we are?

AMHPs carry out statutory duties under the Mental Health Act 1983 which includes a broad range of tasks including section 13 consideration, making informed, independent decisions about the need for compulsory admission to hospital, the use of Guardianship and Community Treatment Orders to support well-being in the community. As well as undertaking the role of Social Supervision under Part 3 of the MHA.

Pre-requisite training period

This is an exciting development opportunity for practitioners who are passionate about promoting the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of people experiencing mental ill health.

Successful Trainee AMHPs will commence a 6 month probationary period with the Daytime AMHP service to prepare for interview with Bournemouth University in January 2027.

During this period they will undertake the following in preparation a Bournemouth Interview:-

• Have observed a minimum of 4 Mental Health Act assessments
• Support by DCC to be confirmed following a period of observed practice in the daytime AMHP team.
• Demonstrate that they possess the level of competence, capacity and ability to undertake and complete AMHP training at the required professional and academic level

Main duties of the job

The AMHP Training

Successful trainee AMHPs will commence the Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) Programme delivered by Bournemouth University Course Details | Bournemouth University on the 15th March 2027, while receiving comprehensive support, supervision, and protected learning time by Devon County Council to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence required for the role.

This intensive, full-time programme runs over six months, combining academic study with supervised practice to prepare practitioners for the AMHP role under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended in 2007).

The course is structured around a series of taught learning blocks and a minimum 45-day supervised practice placement, enabling trainees to apply learning directly to practice throughout the programme. Teaching is delivered by a combination of experienced AMHP practitioners, senior academics and other specialist professionals, ensuring learning is both academically robust and firmly grounded in current practice.

On successful completion of the programme, practitioners may be considered for approval by Devon County Council as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP). Approval is granted by a Local Social Services Authority (LSSA), and practitioners can only undertake AMHP duties once formally approved.

For further information about the academic programme, please contact Chris Ademuwagun, Course Lead, at [email protected].

Job description

For all relevant information please refer to the job description and person specification documents attached.

About us

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

You will need to demonstrate that you are:-

• Are a registered Social Worker, Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Chartered Psychologist.
• Have completed an appropriate period of suitable mental health work experience (normally 2 years post-registration with a minimum of one year in a community setting where individual responsibility for cases has been held).
• Have access to / use of a vehicle. This essential due to Devon being a rural area.
• Trainees must provide evidence of previous study at Masters level 7. This qualification could be in the form of an MA degree award or a postgraduate level 7 award. Previous level 7 study does not need to have been gained through Bournemouth University.(There may be an opportunity for DCC to fund a level 7 Unit prior to the commencement of the AMHP course in March for successful applicants who can meet this timescale dependent on the availability of courses)

Briefing Session

To find out more please register for our briefing session on 1st September 2026 at 2.30pm - see Devon Jobs for the link.

• We offer26 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays, rising incrementally to 31 days after 5 years service.
• Offer an opportunity to enter a generous Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Please note:At this time, we are unable to consider overseas applications.