Please note you must have the right to work in the UK to apply for this position.
Due to current Home Office Guidelines, we are unable to sponsor this job role.
As a Family and Carer Ambassador, you will provide practical and emotional support to families and carers of those with complex mental health needs. You will also offer advocacy to ensure that the needs and views of families, carers, and patients are heard and acted upon, regardless of communication needs. You will identify and address cross-organisational challenges and work closely with key agencies across health, education, social care, and the voluntary sector, including links with adult services for transition planning or support.
To succeed in this role, you must be proactive, compassionate, detail-oriented, well-organized, and an excellent communicator. A passion for effecting change and empowering patients, families, and carers is essential. This is a new position; there are clear parameters and expectations, but opportunities to shape, influence, and develop relationships with stakeholders and partners are available.
Lived experience is a key aspect of this role.
What is lived experience?
It is the knowledge and understanding gained from personal experience of a particular situation or condition.
Examples of Lived Experience:
- Being a carer for family or friends
- Extensive experience working on a ward
- Being a service user
EPUT seeks motivated staff who share our Trust values of Care, Learn, and Empower. In return, we offer benefits and development opportunities such as:
- Season Ticket Loans
- NHS staff discounts
- Excellent training facilities and opportunities
- Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
- Opportunities to work bank shifts and expand experience
- Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
- Day One Flexible Employer
The Trust supports and encourages flexible working. You are encouraged to discuss flexible options with the recruiting manager and may apply for flexible working from day one.
Join our Staff bank
Our staff bank hires clinical and non-clinical professionals for shifts at our hospitals and community settings. All permanent staff are enrolled automatically, with the option to work additional shifts if desired. If joining in a fixed-term role, indicate your interest in the staff bank on your paperwork.
Role responsibilities include:
* Working with families and carers from admission to discharge.
* Helping families understand inpatient systems and processes, providing high-quality, accessible information.
* Supporting communication between clinical units and families/carers, fostering a compassionate approach.
* Empowering families/carers to access information and participate in planning (with CYP consent).
* Utilizing local networks to support families and carers with information and signposting.
* Acting as liaison with the unit on family and carer matters, supporting quality improvement initiatives.
* Raising concerns and escalating issues as necessary.
* Championing the role of families and carers as partners in care.
* Maintaining accurate records, ensuring confidentiality and security.
* Advocating for families, carers, and patients in policy development and decision-making.
* Ensuring professional standards in all public and patient interactions.
* Embedding patient and public involvement at all decision-making levels.
* Providing support to carers, including completing 72-hour follow-up calls and distributing carers' packs.
* Inviting carers to ward reviews and leading the monthly carers group.
* Maintaining professional boundaries and documenting carer input.
* Referring carers to support services and building links with local charities such as Carers Support West Sussex.
* Participating in the quarterly Triangle of Care meetings and developing relapse prevention and support plans.
Promoting Rights and Signposting includes:
* Sharing information on Care Plan Approach (CPA) and Care Education and Treatment Reviews (CETR).
* Understanding and communicating patients' rights under legal frameworks (MHA, MCA, Human Rights Act, Child and Families Act).
* Providing information about community teams and signposting to local groups and social media resources.
* Offering guidance on policies like NICE, STAMP, and Transforming Care, and legal advice when needed.
This description is not exhaustive; duties may evolve with organizational needs and be updated after consultation.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
* Maintain a professional development portfolio.
* Complete mandatory training and participate in appraisals.
* Contribute to induction and stay updated on Trust policies.
* Maintain professional standards and contribute to a learning environment.
* Support the development of Trust strategies and promote professional awareness within the team.
Closing date for applications is Wednesday, 7 May 2025. #J-18808-Ljbffr