Overview
Job Summary: 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 offer advocacy to ensure that families, carers and patients' needs and views are heard and acted on, across health, education, social care and voluntary sector partners. You will identify and address cross-organisational challenges and work with key agencies, including links with adult services where transition planning or support is required.
Please note you must have right to work in the UK to apply for this position. Due to Home Office guidelines, we are unable to sponsor this job role.
Location: Rochford Hospital, Rochford, SS4 1RB. Band 3, £24,937 to £26,598 per annum. Full-time, permanent.
Responsibilities
* Work with carers and families from admission to discharge of the unit.
* Help carers/families understand the inpatient system and processes and provide high-quality information that is easy to understand.
* Collaborate with allocated inpatient units to support communication between the clinical unit and carers/families; enable a compassionate and responsive approach to engagement.
* Empower families/carers to access information and participate in planning (with CYP consent).
* Utilise knowledge and networks of the local area to support carers and families with information and signposting.
* Act as a liaison with the Unit on family and carer matters, contributing to quality improvement initiatives for more robust engagement and involvement.
* Assist carers in raising concerns and escalate when necessary.
* Champion the role of families/carers as partners, ensuring their voice is heard and they are treated as equals in inpatient care.
* Maintain accurate records and comply with local procedures for confidentiality and security.
* Involve the public and patients in policy development and decision making; ensure professional standards in all public/patient contact.
* Embed patient and public involvement at all levels of decision making.
* Provide carer support to families of those admitted to the ward; complete 72-hour carer phone calls and provide carers with the carers pack and letter.
* Invite carers to ward reviews; collate themes from carer cards to support service development and strategy; lead the monthly carers group; maintain professional boundaries.
* Document carer input on Carenotes and share information with the team; refer carers to Carer services and local carer charities; build links with local carer charities (eg Carers Support West Sussex).
* Attend Triangle of Care meetings to represent carers’ voices and review involvement; develop relapse prevention and support plans with carers; initiate and follow up referrals to carer support; monitor progress of the carer strategy.
Promoting Rights and Signposting
* Share information to support understanding and preparation for Care Plan Approach (CPA) meetings and Care Education and Treatment Reviews (CETR).
* Explain family and individual rights, including legal frameworks (MHA, MCA, Human Rights Act, Child and Families Act).
* Describe community teams and their roles (CYPS, CAMHS, IASS, CCGs) and signpost to local groups and online resources; provide information about key policies (NICE, STAMP, Transforming Care).
* Signpost when legal advice may be needed and how to access it.
This job description is not exhaustive; duties may change to meet organisational requirements and will be updated after consultation with the post holder.
Professional, Training, and Development
* Maintain a continuing professional development portfolio and complete mandatory training in line with Trust policy.
* Participate in staff appraisal and local induction; comply with annual leave, sickness and time-owing policies; stay up-to-date with Trust policy.
* Maintain professional standards as per Trust policies/codes; contribute to learning environments and nursing/AHP strategy; promote professional awareness within the team.
Education/Qualifications
Essential
* NVQ III or equivalent; Maths and English to GCSE level or equivalent.
Desirable
* Specialist Peer Support Training
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
* Lived experience as a carer of someone with a mental health condition.
Skills/Experience
* Experience in an administrative/secretarial environment.
Other
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are required. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act; evidence will be sought via DBS. This post also involves consideration for Skilled Worker sponsorship in line with UK Visas and Immigration guidance.
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