Job overview
We are currently expanding the well-established Countywide Early Intervention in Psychosis service. The service provides a focussed and specific community provision for the population of Bedfordshire & Luton, in response to the needs of individuals and their families experiencing a first episode of psychosis. The team works across CAMH services and Adult Mental Health Services with an age range starting at 14 years. We are therefore looking for a skilled and well-motivated community mental health support worker (band 4) to join the team.
The post holder will need use of a car for business use and have a UK driving license.
This post will cover the whole of Bedfordshire. We have bases in Clapham (Bedford) and Luton.
Main duties of the job
1. To work as an integral and highly valued member of the Multi-Disciplinary Team under the direction and supervision of Care coordinator’s in promoting and monitoring the physical and mental health of service users. Providing person centered and holistic care which enables service users to be empowered and follow their recovery goals.
2. The Community Support Worker will work with service users under the Care Program Approach for a time limited period of up to 12 sessions and review, developing goal based strategies to promote independence and recovery, these will be under the direct supervision of the service users Care Coordinator.
3. To support individual service users in identifying, accessing and engaging in support in their local community, fulfilling independent life skills and developing an individual support network to promote service users’ recovery journey.
4. The post holder will work with service users and carers with assessed eligible social care needs in order to promote recovery or prevent deterioration. They will offer direct support for carers completing carer’s assessments, reviews, offering advice & guidance, signposting to support services and completing funding applications
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
5. They will be expected to work under minimal supervision, with adherence to Trust procedures and policies, and to employ value based and socially inclusive practice.
6. Although the Community Support Worker will not lead on safeguarding investigations they will be responsible for detecting, alerting and responding to concerns either through the course of their duties or as directed by a registered practitioner, including contributing to effective protection planning.
The successful post holders will be supported with induction and training packages and will receive supervision within the team. Regional and local training programmes are available to ensure continued professional development and learning.
The successful candidate will join a creative and motivated team who continue to make positive differences to families and individuals across the county.
We believe that psychosis is treatable and recovery is expected.
A full clean driving license and access to a car for work purposes is essential.
Person specification
Education Training and Qualifications
Essential criteria
7. NVQ level 3 or equivalent mental health experience
Previous Experience
Essential criteria
8. Relevant experience working with adults with acute and chronic mental health problems
9. Working within a multidisciplinary team environment
10. Working with service users and carers within their own homes.
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
11. Ability to work with patients on an individual or group basis, focusing on their recovery pathway.
12. Ability to enable and empower patients in a way that increases their self esteem, raises their confidence and help them to identify positive qualities in self.
13. Excellent verbal and written communication skills relevant to the legal requirements of client care and related issues and the documentation of that care.
14. Ability to support the multidisciplinary team in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of mental and physical care appropriate to the needs of the client group and clinical specialty and the ability to use evidenced based approaches in the delivery of care.
15. Ability to work autonomously and to work as part of a team
16. Demonstrate an awareness how your own approach and communication style may impact on service users, their carers and members of your own team.
17. Be prepared to use reflection in action and on action to gain a deeper understanding and insight from situations and experiences occurring inside and outside the work environment and how these can impact on each other.
18. Be able to respond with compassion towards clients when they present in a way that is considered aggressive, maladaptive or socially immature or unacceptable
Knowledge
Essential criteria
19. Mental Health issues relevant to adults with acute and chronic mental health issues and or forensic histories
20. The impact mental health difficulties have on other areas of a service user’s life. E.G. Lack of social inclusion, inability to reach life goals, inability to reach others expectations, inability to maintain relationships. Poverty financial and social.
21. An understanding of the Care Programme Approach and Mental Health Act and how this impacts on the service user group.
22. A knowledge and understanding of the Care Act and the rights of individuals
23. An ability to monitor physical observations and identify when results are outside considered normal parameters.
24. To have an awareness of the side effects of medication.