A&E Outreach support worker: Berkshire West

Job content

The A&E Outreach Support Workers will play a key role in bringing this new and important project to life. The role will support service users to develop self-management strategies, to build resilience to manage mental health crisis, and to connect with other relevant support providers. We are a fun, caring and dynamic team which places a high value on mutual support, sharing our wide-ranging knowledge and expertise and maintaining close working relationships, despite working in different areas. There are lots of opportunities for staff to develop areas of interest when it comes to working with people; on an individual and team basis. We are truly committed to the wellbeing of our staff and this remains a high priority alongside providing excellent support for our service users. We are looking for someone who is motivated, pro-active and supportive, with a strong commitment to person-centred work and service user involvement.

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HOURS: * 37 hours per week
SALARY: £21,748 - £24,982 (11-18 NJC Salary Scale)
CONTRACT: Permanent
HOLIDAYS:28 days plus bank holidays (pro rata)
PENSION:Auto enrolment in place
PROBATIONARY PERIOD:6 months
ACCOUNTABLE TO:Primary Care Wellbeing Service Manager
BASE:Psychological Medicine Service, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading.

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Purpose of the Job*

The A&E Outreach Support Worker will work on a one to one basis with people who have attended A&E with self-harm and/or suicidal thoughts, and who are assessed as not requiring secondary mental health care. The worker will aim to engage the person to create and implement a personalised safety plan to reduce the risk of self-harm or suicide.
The outreach worker will work closely with local Mind services and work within the Psychological Medicine Service at Royal Berkshire Hospital A&E, to support people from across Berkshire. The worker will engage with partners and services in the community to create links and pathways that people experiencing mental health crisis can utilise.
The worker will take a person-centred, non-judgemental approach and will work with people through a combination of face-to-face or remote (phone or video) contact to address social and practical factors that may be relevant to their wellbeing or mental health.

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ABOUT OXFORDSHIRE MIND*

We’re Mind, the mental health charity. We’re here to make sure anyone with a mental health problem has somewhere to turn for advice and support; in total over 20,000 people in Oxfordshire access our services each year. With one in four people experiencing a mental health problem at some point in their lives, people need Mind more than ever. Our work includes:

• The Transitional Supported Housing Recovery Service (part of the Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership).
• The TalkingSpace Plus psychological therapy service in partnership with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.
• The Oxfordshire Mind Wellbeing Service, which is part of both the TalkingSpace Plus and Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnerships and includes:
• Five Wellbeing Centres throughout the county
• Public Wellbeing & Information Services
• Physical Activity and Wellbeing
• Benefits for Better Mental Health, a welfare benefits advice service
• Volunteering and Peer Support Opportunities

• Raising awareness and campaigning activity.

We employ over 200 staff and operate in 28 locations around the county.

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Why work for Oxfordshire Mind? Find out more about our benefits here: *https://www.oxfordshiremind.org.uk/jobs-2/benefits/

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JOB DESCRIPTION*

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Responsibilities
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The key responsibilities of the A&E Outreach Support Worker are to:

• Work one-to-one with people following their discharge from A&E to develop a comprehensive individualised safety plan focusing on strengths, self-management strategies and building resilience to manage mental health crisis.
• Signpost and actively support people to engage with relevant services or community assets depending on what triggered self-harm/suicidal thoughts.
• Work alongside the Thames Valley suicide surveillance group to ensure high risk groups and risk factors are appropriately prioritised and considered.
• Ensure a calm, friendly and compassionate arena to provide information and increase follow up. Provide explanation and information to patients in the A&E about the role and act as an advocate for patients where appropriate within the A&E.

• Ensure the wellbeing and safety of service users, reporting any risk or safeguarding concerns to your line manager and colleagues, and liaising with appropriate bodies and partners as appropriate in line with Oxfordshire Mind organisational Safeguarding policy.
• Liaise with statutory mental health teams, other agencies, and/or emergency services as appropriate to ensure service users receive safe and appropriate support and a consistent approach to crisis management.

• Keep up to date with appropriate information about other local, regional and national services - to ensure service users can be offered appropriate information and signposting.
• Carry out follow up contact with individuals to evaluate outcomes using designated measures at the start and end of the service offered.
• Collect and accurately record service user data onto an online database.
• Liaise with A&E staff to ensure the service remains accessible to all individuals and groups e.g. younger and older adults, women with children, black and minority ethnic communities, veterans and groups who may have difficulty in accessing services.
• Work flexibly as part of the wider Wellbeing Service, including attending team meetings as required.

Supervision, training, meetings and support

• Attend regular individual and group supervisions and participate in annual appraisals.
• Attend training as appropriate and show a willingness to undertake professional development opportunities relevant to the role.
• Be proactive in reviewing and evaluating personal performance and identifying areas for improvement and development.
• Attend and participate in team meetings and other meetings as required.

General

• Adhere to Oxfordshire Mind Policies and Procedures at all times.
• Cover for other members of the team as necessary.
• Undertake, as required, any other duties compatible with the level and nature of the position and / or reasonably required by more senior members of staff.

This job description covers the current range of duties and will be reviewed from time to time. It is Oxfordshire Mind’s aim to reach agreement on changes, but if agreement is not possible, Oxfordshire Mind reserves the right to change this job description.

PERSON SPECIFICATION / SELECTION CRITERIA

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Please use examples wherever possible when addressing how you applied your experience or skills.*

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Essential Experience
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a) Experience of working within mental health, wellbeing or similar services and as part of a team
b) Experience of working with individuals enabling them to identify and pursue their own goals to support personal wellbeing and recovery following a period of crisis
c) Experience of working in an often demanding environment and supporting people with a range of needs

Skills and Knowledge

d) Knowledge and understanding of mental health issues, mental health services and the needs of people living with mental health problems
e) Knowledge of safety planning and risk in relation to self harm and suicidal ideation.
f) Ability to communicate effectively to establish positive inter-agency relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including service users, carers and other professionals.
g) Effective team work skills with the ability to take initiative and work on an individual basis
h) Strong commitment to the involvement of service users in the shaping of service delivery

i) Capacity to cope effectively with the pressures of the post and to use the support and supervision provided
j) Excellent organisational, planning, administrative and IT skills, such as word processing and use of databases.
k) Strong commitment to social inclusion, equality and diversity and to the values and ethos of Oxfordshire Mind
l) Excellent written and verbal communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to vary tone based on purpose and audience.
m) Current valid Driving Licence and use of car for work purposes

The following are required of all roles with Oxfordshire Mind. However, you do not need to address these in your application:

• Genuine interest in and commitment to Oxfordshire Mind’s work and client group.
• Willingness to work flexibly in response to changing organisational requirements.
• Willingness and ability to work hours outside of normal office hours on occasion.

VERY IMPORTANT: Applicants should respond explicitly to each of the points listed in the Person Specification / Selection Criteria. It is advisable to use each individual point as a heading when you structure this section of your application. The shortlisting panel make their decisions based on this information and no assumptions about your skills or experience will be made. You are welcome to type up any part of your application form and insert it in the relevant places. CVs will not be accepted.

Closing date: Sunday 3rd October October (midnight)
Interview date: Friday 7th October
Interview location: Online via Microsoft Teams

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We welcome applications from people from all sections of the community, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief._*

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: Multiple Locations