TheJunction is a respected charity working to make a difference to the lives of children, young people and their families. We are proud of our reputation and believe that all of our workers are key to establishing positive relationships, building trust, self-belief, a sense of family and belonging.
We are excited to recruit a Mental Health Support Worker (MHSW) to play a vital role within the Tees Valley Getting Help Service. This partnership service supports children and young people aged 5–18 (up to 25 for those with SEND/EHCP) who are experiencing emerging mental health concerns.
Main duties of the job
* Support the delivery of low-intensity, evidence-based interventions for children, young people, and families in one-to-one and group settings.
* Provide emotional wellbeing support, practical strategies, and psychoeducation to children, young people, and their families.
* Undertake triage, screening, and routine outcome measures, escalating concerns appropriately in line with risk and safeguarding procedures.
* Manage an allocated caseload, maintaining regular contact and ensuring interventions are delivered in line with agreed care plans.
* Offer advice, guidance, and signposting to ensure children, young people, and families can access the right support at the right time.
* Support the implementation of CBT-informed approaches and other early intervention strategies within day-to-day practice.
* Work within the i-THRIVE model, particularly the Getting Advice and Getting Help pathways.
About us
There are a range of services within The Junction all working towards shared goals and all focused on making a difference to the lives of children, young people and their families, including:
Youth Employment Services
Youth Services
Children and Young Peoples Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Services
We pride ourselves on being able to provide multiple specialist services under one roof with each service interacting together to provide the best possible service to children and young people. We employ multi-disciplinary teams of professionals with backgrounds in psychology, social work, counselling, youth work and youth unemployment as well as other qualified and experienced practitioners who:
* Understand the issues facing children and young people
* Have the skills to effectively support them
* Can deliver outcome focused interventions
We have developed a unique service delivery model to ensure that clients are able to access a service that supports their individual needs. The ethos of The Junction ensures our services do not work in silos, although we recognise the need for service identities and separate lines of accountability to stakeholders.
Job responsibilities
Principal duties and responsibilities:
Clinical Practice and Support;
* Support the delivery of low-intensity, evidence-based interventions for children, young people, and families in one-to-one and group settings.
* Provide emotional wellbeing support, practical strategies, and psychoeducation to children, young people, and their families.
* Undertake triage, screening, and routine outcome measures, escalating concerns appropriately in line with risk and safeguarding procedures.
* Manage an allocated caseload, maintaining regular contact and ensuring interventions are delivered in line with agreed care plans.
* Offer advice, guidance, and signposting to ensure children, young people, and families can access the right support at the right time.
* Support the implementation of CBT-informed approaches and other early intervention strategies within day-to-day practice.
* Work within the i-THRIVE model, particularly the Getting Advice and Getting Help pathways.
* To work within appropriate time frameworks.
* To educate and involve family members and others in the work as necessary.
* To maintain clients confidentiality in line with agreed guidelines.
Partnership and Educational Liaison
* To work as an active member of the Tees Valley Getting Help Service Team, contributing to the delivery of a high-quality, evidence-based service for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
* To create and maintain effective working relationships within the Tees Valley Getting Help Service team, and with colleagues across partner organisations.
* Work collaboratively and liaise effectively with wider workforce including schools, colleges, and community partners to support a whole-school approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health and coordinated care for children, young people, and families.
* To support the development, delivery, and promotion of the Tees Valley Getting Help Service, contributing to service improvement, innovation, and the achievement of service outcomes.
* Demonstrate knowledge of local referral pathways and eligibility criteria across the Tees Valley mental health system.
* Support engagement activity to improve awareness and access to early help services.
Professional Standards and ethical service
* To maintain appropriate and accurate records, including assessments, clinical activity, routine outcome measures, and feedback from children, young people, and their families.
* To undertake relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities, both as required for continued professional accreditation or registration and as identified through the services Professional Development and Appraisal System.
* To participate in an annual appraisal and respond to agreed actions and objectives.
* To undertake an appropriate level of clinical supervision from a qualified Clinical Supervisor in line with the Tees Valley Getting Help (TVGH) Supervision Programme.
* To operate within agreed NHS, Tees Valley Getting Help Service, and professional guidelines and Codes of Practice.
* To ensure a safe and secure working environment for self and others, acting in accordance with Health and Safety policies and procedures.
* To adhere to all The LINK CIC and The Junction Foundation policies, procedures, and guidelines.
* To demonstrate a commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion, valuing diversity and equality of opportunity for employees, workers, service users, and the wider community. This includes challenging discriminatory language and practice and positively encouraging staff, volunteers, partners, and young people to adopt non‑discriminatory practice.
Safeguarding
* Maintain a clear understanding of safeguarding legislation, local procedures, and responsibilities for protecting children and young people.
* To take responsibility for safeguarding children and young people by always promoting the welfare of service users and operating in line with local safeguarding policies and procedures.
* With appropriate guidance and support, to take safeguarding action where necessary to protect children and young people who may be at risk of significant harm.
* Under guidance and supervision, to identify families who may benefit from additional support and assist them in accessing Early Help services.
* To share appropriate information with partner agencies regarding children and young people’s wellbeing and progress, in line with confidentiality, information governance, and information-sharing protocols.
Undertake other duties and responsibilities as required from time to time commensurate with the post.
Person Specification
Experience
* Experience of working with children and young people
* Experience of providing advice, guidance and signposting
* Experience of providing emotional and wellbeing support to CYP & F
* Experience of working within educational establishments
* Demonstrates an understanding of the service, including referral pathways and criteria for access
* Act in ways that support equality and promotes diversity.
* Demonstrates commitment to deliver high quality services.
* Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients.
* Demonstrates an understanding of assessment and risk
* Ability to work with an agreed caseload and manage agreed targets and performance measures
* Demonstrates an understanding of children’s mental health
* Effective communication skills, both verbal and written and the ability to understand and respond to requirements of different audiences
* A clear understanding of LSCB policies and procedures and commitment to the safeguarding of children and young people
* Demonstrates an understanding and ability to work with CBT approaches and willing to support the implementation of the service model and integrate within practice.
* Demonstrates competency in using The Google suite and Microsoft Office
Qualifications
* Holds a Level 4 qualification in Psychology or other Health/social care/youth related subject
* Trained in CYP IAPT Enhanced Evidence Based Practice (EEBP)
* Holds a recognised membership of a relevant professional body (i.e. HCPC/BACP/BABCP/BAAT/UKCP/BPS)
* Is accredited with a relevant professional body (i.e. HCPC/BACP/BABCP/BAAT/UKCP/BPS)
Work Related Circumstance
* Ability to travel independently in accordance with service needs
* This post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check
Personal Qualities
* High levels of enthusiasm and motivation
* Ability to work within a dynamic team and foster good working relationships
* Ability to work confidently and competently under pressure
* Self-aware and committed to continual professional and personal development. Able to accept and respond positively to feedback from supervision
* Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities
* The ability and skills to act as an advocate for a new service, to engage and foster good professional relationships with all professionals and with the wider key stakeholders especially in education and health care system.
* Demonstrates an ability to effectively build and manage relationships with referrers both within schools and the community
* Strong working relationships with school leadership teams to support and maintain contracts
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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