Job summary

We are investing in our mental health services in Test Valley through continuing to transform the way we work to provide outstanding care and building truly rewarding careers.

Through effective collaborative working with our service users, families, primary care, social care partners and the voluntary sector we aim to improve responsiveness and experience and deliver place-based care that meets the needs of our population.

Through partnership working with our Test Valley County Council (TVCC) housing partners, we are delighted to be able to offer this exciting secondment opportunity in the new role of Mental Health and Housing Practitioner in the Mid North Hants division. The post holder will be integrated into the TVCC housing team while cross cutting into community mental health teams and inpatient services, working with some of our most vulnerable service users where housing and accommodation is an issue. This is a long-term secondment running until March 2025.

This post will be key in supporting this exciting development in partnership with other key stakeholders and partners.

The successful candidate will need to be highly motivated, enthusiastic, and come with excellent communication and organisational skills. They will need to be forward thinking and have expert clinical skills to engage service users.

Main duties of the job

To work in a clinical capacity providing mental health interventions including assessments and treatment to those clients at risk of experiencing homelessness or with a history of experiencing homelessness, as identified by the Test Valley County Council Street Homeless Prevention team, or Southern Health's community mental health or the inpatient flow teams outside of established pathways.

To contribute to breaking down the barriers to accessing and sustaining health care and suitable settled accommodation for the identified client group. To actively work with other agencies to provide wider support and address underlying causes of homelessness, developing referral routes between the Council and partner organisations across the wider system (including statutory and voluntary sector services).

About us

Southern Health is one of the largest NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK, specialising in mental health and learning disabilities, as well as offering physical health community-based services.

With a workforce of more than 7000 and a footprint that spans more than 200 sites across Hampshire, we're wholeheartedly committed to providing the best possible healthcare, reaching a range of diverse communities, whilst placing patients and staff at the forefront of all our endeavours.

We are currently working closely with other NHS Trusts to integrate all our collective community, mental health, and learning disability services. Our new organisation, to be known as Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust, is set to launch in July 2024.

The transformation will happen in staggered stages; Hampshire CAMHS, part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust joined Southern Health in February 2024, with Isle of Wight NHS Trust mental health and community services transitioning in early May 2024. The final combination of Southern Health and Solent Trusts is anticipated to occur in July 2024, when the new organisation will be formed.

Our new Trust will continue to cater to the unique needs of different communities, making healthcare across the county more accessible, as well as offering staff more opportunities for career development, training and partnership working.

Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare in Hampshire.