Overview
A Vacancy at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. We are looking for an enthusiastic and compassionate Community Connector to join our newly established CAMHS GP based service. You will be working closely with an Advanced CAMHS Mental Health Practitioner and will be based within local GP surgeries in Reading and Wokingham. This is an exciting and innovative role supporting children and young people who need early help with their emotional and mental health. You’ll be the bridge between GP practices, CAMHS clinicians, local services, schools, and community-based support. You will connect children, young people, and families to community resources, youth groups, wellbeing activities, and voluntary sector support as well as provide self‑help, signposting and practical support to help families navigate the system.
Working Pattern and Service Operating Hours
As a member of a small team, you will be expected to work within the University Medical Group GP surgery in Reading and the Brookside Practices in Wokingham but will be closely connected to the CAMHS West Getting Help Service for peer support, line management and supervision. The main base is Erlegh House at Reading University, where staff members assigned to this base receive additional High‑Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) payments in their salary. Typical shifts are Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm (subject to negotiation and flexible working).
Responsibilities
* Work as part of CAMHS to help facilitate mental health care in a primary care setting and improve access to mental health services, including working with local GPs and establishing links.
* Assist in increasing access to a range of psychological interventions for children and young people in Reading/PCN base.
* Have a role in educating non‑clinical and clinical staff within teams on what other services are available within the community and how and when service users can access them, including verbal or written advice and guidance.
* Support the triage of new referrals to the service, signpost members of the community to appropriate services and, where appropriate, support interventions.
* Support the use of self‑report measures and questionnaires as required as part of CAMHS KPIs.
* Assist in the development of working relationships between mental health service providers in the voluntary and statutory sector as part of integrated service provision.
* Develop community engagement material, information leaflets and other mental health resources as appropriate, and promote the use of these in the specific practices covered.
* Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities.
Qualifications and Experience
* Experience of working with young people with mental health difficulties.
* Passion for providing collaborative and evidence‑based mental health care.
* Enthusiasm for multi‑professional and multi‑agency working.
* Ability to travel between multiple sites.
Benefits
* Flexible working options to support work‑life balance.
* 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell.
* Generous NHS pension scheme.
* Excellent learning and career development opportunities.
* ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles.
* Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services.
* Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants.
* Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality.
* Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave.
* Free parking across Trust sites.
Equal Opportunity Statement
We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
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