Melanie Stephens

Registered Mental Health Nurse with experience spanning adult acute inpatient, low secure forensic, community mental health and higher education settings. Skilled in comprehensive risk assessment (including WARRN), crisis intervention, safety planning and multidisciplinary collaboration. Proven track record delivering recovery-focused care to individuals with complex and enduring mental health needs, managing high-risk presentations and substantial caseloads within fast-paced environments.

Experienced clinical leader with expertise in service development, clinical supervision and training delivery.

Wellbeing Advice Manager at University of Wales Trinity Saint David (2022-09 – Present)

• Led the restructuring and redevelopment of wellbeing service provision, introducing a daily referral triage system and duty team to manage and respond to urgent and emergency self-referrals.
• Collaborated with academic leads, Student Success, Counselling Services, the Director of Student Services and the NHS National Student Mental Health Partnerships Programme to establish consistent referral thresholds and effective referral pathways.
• Adapted and implemented an NHS-aligned 1A assessment tool and WARRN risk framework for university use, including comprehensive suicide and self-harm risk assessment protocols.
• Introduced the SBAR communication tool to improve case handover across internal services and external agencies.
• Conducted 1:1 wellbeing assessments, developed risk management strategies and created safety plans, with appropriate onward referral and follow-up.
• Coordinated care with primary and secondary services as well as statutory agencies.
• Delivered training sessions and provided clinical supervision to wellbeing staff and wider university teams.
• Developed and maintained service policies and procedures in line with sector best practice and regulatory requirements.

Community Mental Health Nurse at Pendine CMHT, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (2019-05 – 2022-09)

• Managed a caseload of 25+ service users experiencing severe and enduring mental health conditions, delivering person-centred, recovery-focused care within a community setting.
• Completed comprehensive mental health, psychosocial and risk assessments, including evaluation of suicide risk, self-harm and safeguarding concerns.
• Developed, implemented and reviewed Care and Treatment Plans in line with the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010 Section 18.
• Administered and monitored depot medication in home and clinic settings, assessing treatment effectiveness and adherence.
• Responded to individuals in mental health crisis, undertaking urgent assessments and facilitating appropriate interventions.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure holistic care and effective discharge planning.
• Provided psychoeducation, emotional support and therapeutic interventions to individuals and families.
• Maintained accurate and contemporaneous clinical documentation in line with NMC standards.
• Supported student nurses as a sign-off mentor, providing supervision and clinical guidance.

Registered Mental Health Nurse - Acute & Low Secure Settings at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (2016-09 – 2019-05)

• Delivered acute inpatient and forensic mental health nursing care across adult acute and low secure environments.
• Completed mental state examinations, comprehensive risk assessments and care planning within multidisciplinary frameworks.
• Managed behavioural escalation using evidence-based de-escalation techniques and least restrictive practice principles.
• Administered psychotropic medication including depot and PRN medication, monitoring for efficacy and adverse effects.
• Supported discharge planning and rehabilitation in collaboration with psychiatry, psychology and social care teams.
• Acted as sign-off mentor for pre-registration nursing students.
• Participated in ward-based therapeutic activities and group interventions to support patient recovery.

BSc in Mental Health Nursing – Swansea University (2016)

Certificate in Clinical Supervision – Metanoia Institute (2023)