Mental Health Legislation Lead

Role Purpose
 Provide expert leadership, advice, governance and assurance on the implementation of mental health and mental capacity legislation. Ensure organisational compliance with statutory requirements, promote lawful and ethical practice, and support high-quality patient care across services.

Location: Warrington

Job Type: Temporary 

Duration of booking: Expected to last 3 months with possible extension

Proposed start date: ASAP

Pay Rates: Up to £25 per hour PAYE inclusive of holiday pay

Hours / Working Days: 37.5 hours per week / Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm 

Sector: Healthcare 

Based: Office / Hospital 

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the organisational lead and subject-matter expert for the Mental Health Act (MHA), Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
• Provide specialist advice and guidance to clinicians and managers on complex legal, ethical and risk-related cases.
• Lead the development, implementation and review of policies, procedures and systems relating to mental health legislation.
• Oversee and coordinate MHA administration functions, providing professional leadership to Mental Health Act Managers and administrators.
• Develop and deliver role-specific training programmes on MHA and MCA, ensuring staff competence and compliance.
• Design and lead audit programmes, monitor compliance, address deficits and report findings to senior governance forums.
• Interpret and disseminate national policy, legislation and case law, ensuring practice reflects current legal standards.
• Support investigations, complaints and incidents involving detained or incapacitated patients.
• Maintain effective partnerships with external agencies to ensure joint working meets statutory and best-practice standards.
• Leadership & Governance
• Provide visible, authoritative leadership on mental health law across services.
• Support governance groups and committees, contributing to organisational assurance and statutory reporting.
• Identify risks, escalate concerns where practice is non-compliant, and advise senior leaders on legal responsibilities.

Person Specification (Summary)

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in mental health or mental capacity law.
• Extensive, up-to-date knowledge of MHA, MCA, Codes of Practice and relevant case law.
• Experience providing expert legal advice in complex clinical environments.
• Strong audit, policy development, training and report-writing skills.
• Proven ability to influence, lead and work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication, judgement, organisational and leadership skills.