Recovery Worker @ Touchstone

Job summary

We are pleased announce two posts available in the above role. As a Recovery Worker you will deliver specific components of prescribed care packages under the direct supervision of Care Coordinators and Clinical Leads within the Community Rehabilitation Team. The post holders will provide structured support and practical assistance to service users in order for them to take control over their own lives and engage actively in their own recovery process. We welcome applications from people with lived experience of mental health difficulties, and the service encourages the use of the wisdom gained through personal lived experience - all candidates must have strong values around recovery, social inclusion and diversity. The posts require you to work with service users of all ages (over 18) and to provide a flexible service over 7 days between the hours of 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on weekends.

Main duties of the job

The role of the Recovery Worker is to deliver specific components of prescribed care packages under the direct supervision of Senior Rehabilitation Practitioners and Clinical Leads. The post holder will provide formalised support and assistance to service users in order for them to take control over their own lives and engage actively in their unique recovery process.

We welcome applications from people with lived experience of mental health difficulties and the service encourages the use of the wisdom gained through personal lived experience, to inspire hope in others and the belief that recovery is possible for all. Within a relationship of mutuality the peer support model can facilitate and support information sharing to promote choice, self-determination, and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles with connection to local communities.

The post holder will be part of the Community Rehabilitation Team and will work into the Level 1 and Level 2 inpatient units and in the community with service users that present with complex needs.The post requires effective liaison with service users, carers, and other professionals and agencies as required.It will involve the provision of psychological based care, offering therapeutic time to a defined client group working at all times within the principles of recovery.

The service provision is delivered 7 days per week between the hours of 8 to 6pm, the post holder will be required to work flexibly over these hours.

About us

Touchstone is a multi-award-winning mental health and wellbeing charity operating in communities across Yorkshire.

Employee benefits

Working for a diverse and inclusive organisation e.g. 36% *BME staff, 25% *LGBTQ+ staff, 16% *staff with a disability. Staff and peer support networks (*as above and many more)

28 days annual leave (rising to 31 after 2 years) + 8 bank holidays (pro-rata)

Flexible working opportunities

Access to HealthHero - Employee Assistance Scheme and Virtual GP service for staff

Personal wellbeing and training budget.

Access to 24/7 confidential staff helpline.

Health and wellbeing activities and fun staff team away days

Inclusive maternity and parental policies and pay

Additional day of leave as a celebration day or health and wellbeing

Learning and personal development opportunities

Touchstone is an equal opportunities organisation, an equal rights employer and applications are welcome from all sections of the community, particularly, BME and LGB and Trans communities and/or people with disabilities who are under-represented within Touchstone. All applicants who disclose a disability and meet the essential criteria will be interviewed. Additional information can be obtained from our equal opportunities policy. Please note that we do not hold a sponsor licence and we do not intend to offer sponsorship for this particular role. Applications can be obtained by visiting www.touchstonesupport.org.uk or by e-mailing [email protected].

Job description Job responsibilities

The Complex Psychosis Pathway provides a whole system approach to Mental Health Rehabilitation and Assertive Community Treatment in Leeds, which includes Newsam Ward 5 (Level 2 Rehab & relocating to Parkside Lodge), Asket Croft and Asket House inpatient settings, (Level 1 Rehab), the Community Rehabilitation Team and Assertive Outreach Team. The pathway also includes Rehabilitation practitioners embedded within the Community Hubs providing early rehabilitative and reablement interventions and enabling transitions for service users between Community Services and more intensive Assertive Outreach and Community Rehabilitation Support.These are clinical delivery services.

The pathway includes an out of area /Trust case management role and mental health placement reviewer for people with complex psychosis who are placed in Level 2 rehabilitation Independent Hospitals outside of the Trust or in funded residential placements.

In addition, Leeds Recovery College, Arts and Minds and the Volunteers Service are included within the pathway, providing innovative networks supporting social inclusion and a recovery ethos, while continuing to serve the citywide populations of Leeds, LYPFT and care services directorates.

The pathway provides treatment, intervention and vocational opportunities for people and their families living with complex needs, associated with psychosis and with significant reductions in quality of life, described within NICE guidance as severe and treatment resistant symptoms. Many people also experience other serious and cooccurring conditions that severely affect activities of daily living, social functioning, physical health, welfare, and limit vocational opportunities.

The pathway provides a strong recovery ethos, with flexibility for differing levels of need and longer-term support where necessary, and in the least restrictive environment possible. The pathway aims to provide a whole person approach working together with individuals and their families on agreed goals that improve mental and physical health, welfare, social inclusion and psychological wellbeing that maximises independence and quality of life.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

To support the Community Rehabilitation Team and wider Complex Psychosis Pathway workforce in co-facilitating community-based groups accessed by service users across the whole service. To consult with the lead occupational therapists and/or healthy living advisors in the planning, implementation and evaluation of groups.

To promote social inclusion for clients by facilitating and supporting access to a variety of community-based opportunities including work, social groups, education, spiritual pursuits, leisure activities to ensure holistic wellbeing.

To participate in the delivery of care plans including attendance and contribution within the meeting and the subsequent care plan.

To participate in Personalised Care Framework meetings as required.

To carry out the collection, delivery, and monitoring of service users medication under the Trust policy guidelines. Liaising with the team to report any concerns with clients medication and wellbeing as well as the relevant providers i.e. pharmacies.

To promote the physical health and wellbeing for clients by facilitating and supporting access to relevant screenings and information around medication, diet, nutrition, exercise, sensible drinking and smoking cessation.

To participate as requested, in multidisciplinary reviews and other clinical meetings to ensure effective communication and a comprehensive approach to service users care.

Ensure that the recovery goals of the service user you support are integrated into the Trusts Personalised Care Framework process and are reviewed on a regular basis, liaising closely with rehabilitation practitioners as necessary.

To assist the rehabilitation practitioners and ward-based staff in the delivery of planned care, under their supervision.

To raise awareness of recovery language with Trust staff by modelling positive strengths based, non-discriminatory, non-jargon, non-medicalised language in all areas of work.

To maintain communication and links with parent organisation if not directly employed through LYPFT.

To contribute to the maintenance of a therapeutic environment and to be proactive in developing positive links within the community that will enhance the service user experience.

To participate in team meetings as required to ensure effective communication and running of the team/service.

To provide support for the team as required and under the direction of the senior team members.

To carry out tasks relating to an individuals care package under the direction of senior team members such as rehabilitation practitioners.

To work on a 1:1 or in groups with service users facilitating delegated tasks.

To independently manage delegated tasks and seek support and supervision when complex situations arise.

To maintain standards set by senior clinicians.

GENERAL

To make effective use of all available resources under the guidance of the Service Lead and Matron.

To always promote a positive image of the Trust, Touchstone and its partners.

To follow policies and procedures relating to the management of Service User finances.

To contribute to the maintenance of the physical resources and environment within the trust through effective resource management and reporting through defined channels.

To be involved in the process of personal development and supervision.

To participate in regular individual and peer supervision.

To provide information and advice about Touchstones services to managers, teams, and other people/agencies with an interest in the organisations work.

To undertake out of hours work as required by the service.

To be inducted, supervised, performance managed and appraised in line with the organisations performance management policies and procedures.

To be responsible for personal learning and development where appropriate and undertake training, both mandatory and optional, to increase knowledge, skills and awareness.

To be aware of and implement the general practices of Touchstones Health, Safety and Security policies and keep Managers informed about any serious and untoward incidents, safeguarding issues, health & safety concerns, financial issues, staff welfare.

To operate within the aims, policies and practices of Touchstone at all times and to be committed to and promote the organisations equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory policies.

To ensure information is dealt with in accordance with Touchstones policies around Confidentiality, Communications, Internet, Email and Telecommunications and steps are taken to ensure that confidential information is secure e.g. service user data.

To undertake any other duties as directed by the Manager, in line with the responsibilities of this post.

POLICY

To comply with all Trust and Touchstone policies, practices and legislation as stipulate by the Trust and Touchstone. To work with the guidelines of the Health and Safety policies.

To comply with all policies and procedures set out in parent organisations (Touchstone, Leeds Mind, or community Links) terms and conditions.

To be committed to the organisations Equal Opportunities Policy and to promote this with staff, Board of Trustees, partners, volunteers, Service Users and Carers.

Actively participate in team discussions to contribute to service improvements and developments.

To adhere to the Trusts Lone Worker policy.

To be able to perform moving and handling intervention in line with Trust policy.

FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES

Observes personal duty care in relation to equipment and resources used in course of work.

To make effective use of all available resources under the guidance of Service Lead and Matron.

To follow policies and procedures relating to the management of Service User finances.

To contribute to the maintenance of the physical resource and environment within the trust through effective resources management and reporting through defined channels.

HUMAN RESOURCES

To participate in the induction and support of new staff and students from a variety of different professional backgrounds under the supervision of Clinical Team Manager.

Fully participates in clinical supervision and mandatory training as required and to be able to reflect on practice.

The post holder is to contribute to supporting volunteers that work within the service.

INFORMATION RESOURCES

To maintain accurate and up to date service user electronic records as required by trust policy and procedures and any local working instructions.

To become familiar and be able to utilize technologies related to the work environment. E.g. IT literate.

To contribute to clinical reports and feedback as requested.

To maintain mandatory training relating to information governance.

To follow the Trust and Touchstones policies in relation to information governance.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Will actively participate in clinical audit processes such as data gathering, as requested by service leads and managers.

To ensure service records are maintained and kept up to date and accurate that support service performance measures.

FREEDOM TO ACT

To independently make decisions when carrying out tasks as delegated when presented with an unpredicted change in circumstances or risk. To report any changes back to senior team members and seek supervision.

To use own initiative and seek support when faced with challenging or complex decisions.

To check out decisions with senior staff when presented with uncertainty.

To support the implementation of and to act accordingly to implement the Complex Psychosis service model and adjoining trust and local strategies.

Person Specification

Qualifications Essential

NVQ 3 in Care/recognisable equivalent or equivalent experience or be willing to undertake such training or experience of working with a range of service users with complex mental health needs and /or has personal lived experience.

Experience Essential

- Experience of working with a range of service users with complex mental health needs. - Has experience of working with diverse populations and values the work associated to promoting diversity and social inclusion. Where personal experience allows drawing on mutual resources as peers and utilising a range of recovery tools, techniques, and experience. - Involvement in the process of effective risk management including assessment, planning, intervention, and on-going monitoring of risk factors. - To work independently with users and carers in their homes towards a collaborative package of care provided through the Personalised Care Framework and under the direction of the care coordinator or senior team members. - Help individuals identify their own achievable and meaningful recovery goals and collaboratively set recovery objectives in line with service care pathway and supervision of senior team members. - To maintain accurate records of client care in accordance with set timescales, informing senior clinicians of any changes in the clients health or social care. - To deliver care which is designed to minimize risk behaviour.

Skills Essential

- To have good verbal communication skills and an excellent understanding of how to build rapport with service users, carers and others as required. - To work effectively in a multidisciplinary team, and to have a good understanding of individuals roles within the team. - Ability to work on a one-to-one basis with clients in their own homes and / or community settings without constant, direct live supervision - Ability to respond well in a crisis situation and understands the need to record/report such situations accurately to senior staff within the team - To be service user focused/client centred in your approach. - To be organized and adaptable, creative, and resourceful in a range of areas - To manage your own time effectively - To use initiative by referring appropriate issues in a timely manner to a Senior team members/clinical lead - To participate in decision making processes and carry out agreed plans of care - To independently manage delegated tasks and seek support and supervision when complex situations arise - IT literacy skills and the ability to work on electronic care records.

Desirable

- The post requires the holder to be able to travel across various city-wide sites. Car driver is desirable.

Knowledge Essential

- Will need to understand the possible barriers in building a good, effective, professional, empathic relationship with service users, and to be aware of strategies to help improve communications and relationships - Will need to understand the importance of effective communication and liaison with other agencies and professionals. - Will show a good level of knowledge about community resources and how to help service users access them. - A good level of understanding of the recovery model and its application to care packages. - Understands medication and side effects, also support people to explore options, ask questions and be better informed. - Understands the importance of holistic and therapeutic care and the role this plays in individuals personal recovery. - Experience contributing to the evaluation of care plans by reporting observations and interventions accurately and regularly in case notes. - Also to make clear written records in relation to any task or clinical practice that relates to individual scare e.g. liaison with family members.

Attitudes and behaviours Essential

- Commitment to Touchstones aims and values - Solution-focused approach to work. - Motivated and confident. - Open to change and able to work flexibly in line with the needs of the service/organisation. - Commitment to positive team leading and team working. - Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at Touchstone. - Commitment to respecting diversity and anti-discriminatory/anti-oppressive practices. - Commitment to personal responsibility, development, learning and reflective practice - Willingness to be managed and supervised. - Reliable and Resilient. - Model personal responsibility, self-awareness, self-belief, self-advocacy, and hopefulness via appropriate and timely relating of own recovery story to inspire and instil confidence in peers. - Act as a positive role model showing professional and caring attitudes and behaviour towards other multidisciplinary team members, service users and carers. - Communicate in a positive manner towards individuals and other organisations who encounter the service. - To be assertive in promoting new ideas for positive change within the team. - To always act with courtesy towards service users, relatives and other visitors to the unit and refer them to the senior team members as appropriate. - To actively support service users in line with their care plans and support their recovery, using approaches that promote hope and optimism.

Equal Opportunities Essential

-Must be able to recognise discrimination in its many forms and be willing to put into practice Touchstones Equality Policies. -A commitment to providing high quality services to the diverse communities. -Must be able to communicate effectively with a broad range of diverse service users, management and staff, from both organisations and the community -To ensure the diverse needs of our service users and those who meet our services are considered and supported. -Work in a way that acknowledges the personal, social, cultural, and spiritual strengths and needs of the individual. -A commitment to establishing a supportive and respectful relationship with service users.

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 Touchstone

Address Asket Croft

2 Asket Place

LEEDS

LS14 1PP

United Kingdom

Employer's website https://touchstonesupport.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)