Overview
Job Purpose The postholder works as part of the Workways team in line with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) evidence based best practice in VRS. The postholder also provides specialised vocational assessment of individuals learning and work needs. The postholder will manage a caseload of no more than 20 people (per wte) who are experiencing mental health problems and wish to enter or remain in employment in line with IPS principles. Working with people in an individualised way to help them achieve their own employment goals, the postholder will be pro-active in their engagement with people on their caseload.
Responsibilities
* Provide advice, information and support to the individual, their employer and mental health worker.
* Establish and maintain links with relevant organisations, employers and individuals to enable people who have mental ill health to obtain paid work.
* Work may involve lone working, working away from base frequently and working without direct supervision.
* Be the linked Employment Specialist to one or two mental health teams, in line with IPS fidelity.
* Develop effective working relationships with a range of other agencies (e.g., local colleges, training providers and external supported employment services).
* Liaise regularly with mental health service workers, users and carers groups and other health-related agencies on learning and work issues.
* Establish, maintain and nurture employer contacts to increase options for people to find employment and aim to contact at least one new employer each week.
* Promote the benefits of employing and supporting people with mental health issues to employers and support employers to enable the person to sustain their position.
* Provide ongoing communication with employers and others to offer advice, guidance and training on managing situations; be available by phone for advice and support.
* Promote and publicise Workways to learning and work providers and the wider community (e.g., talks or presentations) as agreed with the service manager.
* Handle confidential and complex information regarding an individual’s health and employment history with sensitivity.
* Work closely with the person using the service to ensure appropriate, prompt, proactive and clear communication at all times.
* Respond to requests for general information regarding mental health and employment following DPT policies (from employers and the public).
* Keep the Workways team informed of current work to ensure continuity during absences; cover other team members as needed (including admin and reception duties).
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
* After assessing a new applicant, offer the most relevant interventions in line with the IPS approach.
* Monitor progress with clinical outcomes of the caseload and report monthly to the team lead for onward reporting.
Planning and Organisational Skills
* Use resources effectively and plan own caseload and time to fit service needs.
* With a teammate, prepare, organise and run training for employers and others in learning and work organisations.
* Lead in planning and running recovery courses and groups (e.g., Preparing For Work).
* Work flexibly to meet individuals’ needs, including some out-of-hours work.
Responsibilities for Patient/Client Care
* Maintain a recovery-focused approach and manage a caseload of up to 20 people per whole time equivalent who wish to find paid work.
* Provide IPS vocational assessment for individuals applying to Workways.
* Explore strengths, development needs, barriers, and learning/work needs; co-create action plans with the person and monitor progress.
* Provide interventions to aid problem solving, confidence building and work-related skills; support in the workplace to enable success.
* Offer ongoing, individualised support after securing employment to sustain employment; maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
* Plan and implement recovery courses or groups (e.g., interview techniques, CV writing, assertiveness) as required.
* Work with individuals with additional problems (e.g., learning difficulties, physical conditions or injuries).
Policy and Service Development
* Maintain up-to-date knowledge of IPS and share current VR issues and evidence-based practices.
* Ensure accessible written and electronic information for the team and service users; participate in local policy development and disseminate good practice for employing people with mental health difficulties.
* Increase employer engagement through recruitment and retention support; network with peers to maintain professional links across the Trust.
Finance, Equipment, HR and Information Resources
* Ensure resources are used safely and efficiently; report any area for improvement to the service manager; may handle small petty cash and may be a purchase card holder.
* Provide informal supervision to administration staff as required; supervise students on placement; assist with induction of new staff.
* Maintain up-to-date statistics, records and service data; regularly use IT systems for data input, email, internet and word processing.
Research and Development and Freedom to Act
* Contribute to developing new working practices in line with current evidence-based practice; participate in staff surveys and clinical audits.
* Operate under policy and procedure, with independent day-to-day decisions under supervision, and participate in ongoing professional development and supervision.
Note: This description reflects the current responsibilities and expectations of the role and may be updated to align with service needs.
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