About this role
Job summary
The post holder will work as a link worker in a new project, set within a unique independent mental health charity, which is acknowledged for its contribution to the community by mental health professionals, health practitioners and local and regional voluntary and statutory agencies.
This new project will provide support to meet the needs of people with mental health problems in Sunderland who present at the Emergency Department at Sunderland Royal Hospital. The project will use a holistic, person centred approach to collaboratively supportive people to manage emotional, social and environmental stressors within a recovery-based approach.
This intervention will:
be personalised, offering flexibility to meet a range of needs in the short term act as a bridge between the Emergency Department, Psychiatric Liaison Team and the Primary Care Network with the aim of reducing potential distress for the patient and reduce future incidents requiring ED visits. act as a wraparound provision for people struggling to engage/access primary care/alternative services, who need additional non-clinical support.connect people into local community services that can help to bolster their wellbeing, build confidence and resilience as well as improve outcomes for people engaging in support.
The post holder will be required to work flexibly from a variety of locations in Sunderland, including SCS office base, GP surgeries, Mental Health Hubs and other community venues.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work with individuals identified by clinical staff within PLT or primary care, who will direct individuals to the link worker for additional, non-clinical support.
A holistic, person centred plan will be developed between the link worker and individual to enable the link worker to provide support and guidance with a focus of "what matters to me" approaches. This may include direct emotional or practical support, signposting, providing self-help materials, a check in system, identifying a suitable package of specific support and making any necessary onward referrals.
The post holder will work with frequent attenders to PLT through attending formulation sessions/MDTs to identify any themes and to support implementation of any plans to prevent re attendance at SRH.
To allow flexibility and to respond to client need, services may be delivered from the PCN bases as well as SCS city base and other community venues such as the Mental Health Hubs. The post holder will be called upon to use personal means of transport while engaged in the work of the service for which travel expenses will be available.
About us
Salary for this post is comparable to Band 5 Agenda for Change.
The post holder will become part of a broader link working team within SCS, with each service handling similar work within their specific area of focus. The diverse team can offer support with a wealth of knowledge and awareness of local resources and need.
The successful post holder will be employed by SCS and entitled to our employee benefits such as 30 days annual leave FTE pro-rata, access to our free 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, Bike2Work Scheme, access to training and be part of a supportive team which emphasises the importance of continuing personal and professional development.
Job description Job responsibilities
For details regarding the job description and person specification, please download these from the document section.
Should you be interested in applying for this post and have any questions regarding it or your suitability, please contact Alicia Harris, Senior Mental Health Link Worker ([email protected]) in the first instance.
Person Specification
Knowledge Essential
Knowledge and understanding of emotional distress, mental wellbeing, and mental ill health and how these can impact a person. Knowledge and understanding of relevant support services available in Sunderland. Sound knowledge of the associated issues facing the client group, including relevant legislative frameworks in relation to mental health, safeguarding and child protection.
Desirable
Understanding of talking therapies and specialist mental health services and services which may be relevant to a clients presentation. Understanding of Sunderland Primary Care Network. Knowledge of medication used in treating mental health problems. Knowledge of health and social care terminology.
Other Requirements Essential
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications. High level of enthusiasm and motivation. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills. Able to write clear reports and letters. Ability to lone work as well as within a team and foster good working relationships. Ability to work under pressure. Ability to work within the boundaries of the role and within own competencies. Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality.
Desirable
Full clean driving license and use of car. Fluent in languages other than English.
Experience Essential
Experience of supporting people with mental health difficulties either in a paid or voluntary capacity. Experience of carrying out assessments of client support needs, including risk assessments. Experience of working in a relevant community setting. Experience of accurately collecting and recording information and data whilst maintaining confidentiality. Experience of working collaboratively with different organisations, building trust, confidence and partnerships.
Desirable
Experience of using outcomes measures. Experience of using electronic case management systems such as IAPTus or EMIS Experience in supporting individuals who may be experiencing acute distress or crisis.
Skills and Competencies Essential
Ability to actively listen, empathise with people and provide non-judgemental support. Ability to create, sustain and disengage from productive interpersonal relationships, working within the boundaries of the role. Ability to appropriately advocate for a clients needs. Ability to handle others emotions without becoming personally involved in them. Ability to identify risk to self and others, identifying and reporting safeguarding incidents. Understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Ability to make good use of line management, supervisory and support processes. Ability to evaluate effectiveness of interventions at an individual and project level. Ability to work in an unsupervised area and share information where appropriate, with the relevant personnel. Ability to challenge poor practice and identify and work to best practice standards. Ability to take responsibility for identifying and meeting own learning and development needs. Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training.
Desirable
Willingness to contribute to and assist in the development of strategies that will make the service provision accessible to all clients.
Qualifications Essential
Educated to A level standard or equivalent. Relevant qualification e.g. Level 3 Counselling skills, NVQ level 3 in Social Care, Advice & Guidance qualification, social prescribing qualification. Demonstrable commitment to personal and professional development.
Desirable
Relevant degree e.g. psychology. Training in risk assessment and assessments of client support needs. Mental health training / qualification. Safeguarding training
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.
Employer details Employer name Sunderland Counselling Service
Address 51 John Street
Sunderland
SR1 1QN
United Kingdom
Employer's website http://www.sunderlandcounselling.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)