About this role
Job summary
Thank you for your interest in our organisations and this exciting new role. Were currently looking for a compassionate and motivated Mental Health Pathway Navigator to join our innovative team, supporting people across Middlesbrough to access the right support at the right time.
Were looking for someone who is driven to make a real difference within the local community through high-quality, person-centred support, with collaboration and improving mental health and wellbeing at the heart of everything.
This new service brings together Arch Teesside, Open Door North East and Teesside Mind, working alongside NHS teams, GP practices and voluntary and community organisations to create a connected approach to mental health support.
We are proud to be part of this innovative service, helping people navigate pathways, access the right support, and feel genuinely supported. Our teams are compassionate, curious and determined, and we work together to make a positive impact within our communities.
The purpose of this role is to help people, particularly those experiencing moderate to severe mental health challenges, access timely and appropriate support so that they can remain well within their communities.
Main duties of the job
You'll work as part of a small team to ensure individuals receive the care they need, when and where it is required, while also addressing inequalities in both health care and wider social factors that impact mental wellbeing, including trauma, abuse and disadvantage.
You'll encourage individuals to recognise and build upon their strengths, guiding them in navigating community resources, health services, housing, welfare, and social care pathways. You'll support them to articulate their needs and secure their rights.
Achieving positive outcomes will require strong partnership working with organisations such as TEWV, Adult Social Care, and the voluntary and community sector, including those supporting survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence, asylum seekers and refugees, and individuals experiencing a diverse range of mental health needs.
Where necessary, you'll advocate on behalf of individuals to ensure they can access support. You'll also work with people and service providers to clarify referral pathways, helping to prevent repeated assessments or unnecessary transfers between services. Your work will focus on supporting people in their recovery journeys. Recovery looks different for everyone, but at its core, it is about helping someone to lead a hopeful and fulfilling life, regardless of their experiences.
Insights gained from this role will help to broaden the range of services available to the community and improve coordination between different service providers.
About us
Were proud to have directly helped 27,000 local people this last year, more than weve ever supported. Weve been working in local communities to improve mental health and wellbeing for 30 years and during that time our support has evolved, enabling us to help people in new and impactful ways.
We believe everyone has the right to enjoy good mental health and our team of trusted professionals provide expert support to help people lead full and happy lives. Whats more, we campaign locally to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding of what good mental health looks like.
Ours is a vibrant organisation to work for and our staff are our most important asset. We know just how important the benefits of a mentally healthy workplace are. So, it's only natural that our people and our culture are at the heart of all we do. Staff wellbeing is a high priority for us and we take great care and pride inmaking sure that everyone who works with us feels valued and supported. We're dedicated, friendly and open, working together to improve the lives of local people experiencing mental health problems.
Job description Job responsibilities
Working with individuals
Provide accessible information and guidance on community mental health services and pathways, supporting individuals to understand and navigate the service/community options open to them and make informed decisions;options might include mental health in secondary or primary care, voluntary and community sector, housing, benefits, employment etcAdvocate for individuals who are having difficulty accessing help that could be available to themNavigate mental health and VCS/community services (housing, benefits, safeguarding, social care) alongside individuals to ensure they get helpParticipate in huddles, MDTs, and other meetings that support access to servicesUse trauma informed and recovery focused approaches throughout the work
Working in the community
Act as a visible and accessible point of contact for community organisations looking for information about mental health services and/or how to access help for people who need itPromote mental health services within the community and address stigmaDevelop trusted relationships with organisations and communities facing disadvantage, stigma, or exclusion, helping build confidence in mental health services.Work on an outreach basis into TEWV community team, primary care, community hubs and VCS venues to be a warm, trusted and accessible conduit for mental health supportIdentify and address gaps in information or resources
Sharing insights and contributing to system improvements
Gather insights from people with lived experience to inform service and system planningSupport people with lived experience to directly engage in service/system improvement activities in a meaningful and supported wayIdentify insights and themes from practice to inform service improvement and system change
Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
Maintain accurate records including case notes where appropriate and outcome dataContribute to service monitoring and evaluation activity
Person Specification
Experience & Qualifications Essential
Degree, NVQ Level 5 or professional qualification in a relevant field (for example mental health, social care, community, health or related disciplines) or demonstrable equivalent experience Evidence of ongoing professional development in mental health or community practice Training in trauma-informed approaches or recovery-focused practice Training in safeguarding adults Significant experience working with individuals experiencing moderate or severe mental health difficulties, including safety planning Proven track record of partnership working with statutory, voluntary, and community sector organisations Experience in advocacy or navigating complex support systems (health, housing, welfare, social care) Working on an outreach, community basis Involvement in service development or improvement initiatives Experience in maintaining accurate records and contributing to monitoring and evaluation activities
Knowledge Essential
Understanding of community mental health services and referral pathways including access routes and requirements Understanding of how mental health care can be appropriately provided in the voluntary sector, working alongside statutory services where necessary Trauma-informed practice and recovery-oriented approaches Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and relevant legislation Familiarity with the challenges faced by disadvantaged, stigmatized, or excluded communities Awareness of the roles of TEWV, adult social care, and voluntary/community organisations in Middlesbrough
Other Personal Qualities Essential
Caring, compassionate and non-judgmental approach Commitment to empowering individuals and promoting their rights Motivated, resilient, adaptable, and able to work independently and as part of a team Proactive and solution-focused attitude Reflect on own practice and develop own skills
Skills & Competencies Essential
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Strong advocacy, negotiation and brokerage skills Ability to build trusting relationships with professionals that support difficult conversations and professional challenge where necessary Ability to develop trust and rapport with individuals in the community and engage sensitively with people from diverse backgrounds Skills in gathering, analysing, and sharing insights to inform service improvement Effective time management and organisational skills IT literacy and ability to use electronic record-keeping systems
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 Teesside Mind Ltd
Address The Mind Centre
92-94 Lothian Road
Middlesbrough
TS4 2QX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.teessidemind.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)