Job overview
THEIS is responsible for the delivery of services to adults aged 18 –65 with a recent onset of psychosis who are residents of Tower Hamlets. In 2022 the service has expanded to offer assessments and interventions for those with psychosis up until the age of 65 years. THEIS offers a range of psychosocial interventions working in collaboration with service users, carers and other relevant agencies.
THEIS helps clients to regain confidence, maximise quality of life and avoid relapse by offering support and counselling during the critical three-year period following the first episode.
Goals are agreed to meet clients’ individual needs including education, employment, independent housing, social participation, physical health and finances. Support is offered in individual and group contexts and in collaboration with other services as appropriate.
The service objective is to enable the service users to recover rapidly and fully, avoiding a pattern of recurring relapse or loss of social functioning, traumatic hospitalisation and social exclusion. The service is fully compliant with The National Service Framework Guidelines relating to Early Intervention in Psychosis and NICE guidelines for Psychosis and Schizophrenia.
Main duties of the job
1. The service aims to maximise inclusion and high levels of individualised functioning for people in all aspects of their lives. Therefore, the post-holder will carry out his/her duties and responsibilities in a manner which is respectful to others and not knowingly show prejudice.
2. The post holder must recognise and mobilise the contributions of families, communities and colleagues to promote the wellbeing of the young people in the care of the service.
3. Carry a caseload of service users, coordinating their assessment and care planning.
4. Undertake and adhere to Safeguarding Adult and Children guidelines and principals.
5. Supervise the clinical work of junior colleagues and students as needed.
6. Contribute to clinical audit and research activities as required.
7. Participate in CPD and other developmental activities, keeping up to date with relevant research and national guidance.
8. Adhere to ELFT policies and procedures and meet the clinical governance requirements of the Trust.
9. Offer a culturally sensitive service to all clients, meeting Trust standards fair access, equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.
10. Promote the work of THEIS by attending relevant forums and liaising with other services.
Working for our organisation
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
11. Carry out individual assessments in a variety of settings, ie. home, clinical base, school, treatment centre, GP surgeries.
12. Carry a caseload of THEIS clients in line with the requirements of the service, taking responsibility for the care management of the caseload.
13. Take responsibility for CPA and risk assessment when acting as care-coordinator and liaising with other professional as appropriate.
14. Undertaking Care Act compliant assessments and initiating care packages where needed.
15. Undertake Safeguarding Children referrals and liaise with the local authority around joint working.
16. Undertake Safeguarding Adult Investigations and working closely with the Safeguarding Adults manager within the service.
17. Ensure a seamless approach by liaising with other professionals as required e.g. A&E, ward based staff.
18. Liaise with colleagues in Primary Care and other relevant agencies to facilitate and improve the detection and screening of individuals experiencing early signs of psychosis.
19. Participate in the THEIS staff Duty Rota.
20. Participate in the setting up and running of groups in collaboration with other team members where appropriate.
21. Use an assertive outreach approach when required, visiting service users at home or in community venues as appropriate and in line with safety requirements.
22. Undertake Behavioural Family Interventions and work with families and carers in conjunction with the service user.
23. Establish joint co-working with staff from other agencies where necessary including other agencies supporting service users from BAME groups.
24. Provide information to help service users make an informed choice about available services.
25. Spend sustained amounts of time with service users who may be aggressive and hostile, who may have poor communication skills and self-care and special physical and/or mental needs.
26. Communicate across language and cultural barriers, organising and working with interpreters when necessary.
27. Have an in depth knowledge of the Mental Health Act and support service users and their carers when the Mental Health Act is being used to admit the service user to hospital.
28. Encourage and assist clients in training and work in conjunction with the THEIS Employment support worker and other relevant agencies.
29. Lead service user reviews ensuring that service user needs are met and that the team has all the relevant information on which to base their clinical decisions.
30. Seek clinical advice as appropriate from other clinicians and colleagues with the relevant skills and experience.
31. Participate in the provision of information about Early Intervention in Psychosis to colleagues within the Trust and related services.
32. Develop and implement Health Promotion strategies appropriate to the client group. This work will involve liaison with primary health care teams as well as networking with education and youth and community resources.
Person specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Essential criteria
33. Relevant professional qualification
34. RMN, DipSW, Diploma Degree in OT (equiv)
35. Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable criteria
36. Evidence of psycho-social educational qualification, ie. PSI / CBT
37. Higher Education in Community Mental Health Studies
38. Approved Mental Health Practitioner
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
39. 1- 2 years post qualification experience
40. Experience of working as part of a multi-professional team and managing a full caseload
41. Experience of working with people with psychosis
42. Knowledge of the NICE guidelines for First episode Psychosis
43. Knowledge and understanding of Mental Health Act, CPA Care Co-ordination and the Care Act
Desirable criteria
44. Experience of working with younger adults
45. Experience or trained in Behavioural Family Interventions
46. Experience of audit research
47. Experience of using a range of psychological approaches to care/assessment and intervention
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
48. Ability to establish and maintain multi-disciplinary and inter-agency working relationships
49. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
50. Ability to prioritise workload
51. Ability to work autonomously and independently.
52. Ability to be innovative in daily practice.
53. Ability to engage with people with serious mental health problems in a holistic manner