Community Support Worker

Job summaryUnder the daily supervision of mental health practitioners, the post holder will work as part of the multi-disciplinary team to support the delivery of recovery care plans for clients with a range of mental health presentations in the community. This will involve working across agencies e.g. Primary Care, Complex Care Teams and Third sector organisations.Main duties of the jobThe post holder will work intensively with people to support them in their home, preventing hospital admission and facilitating hospital discharge.The post holder will be expected to work to a clearly defined personal recovery plan outlining their role and the range of interventions required. This will include a significant monitoring role of people on behalf of the team. About usAbout Devon Partnership TrustWe provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we doOur valuesWe not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.Job description Job responsibilitiesCommunication and Working Relationship SkillsTo communicate effectively with people using services takinginto account any communication difficulties they may have and respondingappropriately.To participate in, support and maintain positiveinterventions and planned activity programmes to improve the quality of lifeand mental state of the person using services.To offer emotional support, advice, information andeducation where appropriate to people using services, carers and their familyincluding signposting them to other services.To foster and maintain good working relations with membersof other community teams, health and social care workers and inpatientservices. Receiving and sharing information from GPs, carers and otheragencies.Giving information and assistance to people using servicesand their carers so that they are aware of their rights, entitlements and thecontents of their recovery care plan.To communicate any changes in the persons presentation tothe care co-ordinator or appropriate professional in a timely manner.Analytical and Judgemental SkillsThe post holder will be aware of and work within their ownlimits, and competencies.Take part in the constant assessment of risk and managementof risk in conjunction with the qualified staff.Take part and be aware of Health and Safety matters asappropriate.Be punctual for work and conduct themselves in aprofessional manner in accordance with Trust Policies.Use community resources appropriate to the needs of peopleusing services. Planning and Organisational SkillsTo plan own diary and maintain accurate records of allactivity.To liaise appropriately with other Agencies as part ofsupporting the delivery of care.To attend meetings and any other formal/informalcommunication events linked to the work of the team, as directed by the teamleader.Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment andTherapyTo independently or jointly monitor a persons mental healthto ensure safety. . This may require intensive input and /or regular monitoringas directed by the mental health practitioners within the team and inaccordance with the recovery care plan.Monitor mental health through observations and reportchanges to qualified staff so that the care plan can be kept fully up to date.Be aware of fluctuations in mental health.Monitor basic health e.g. diet, hygiene and sleep and assistin addressing identified needs.Work with people using services and their carers to achievethe objectives of the care plan.Encourage social/physical activities as identified withinthe care plan.Promote independence and recoveryBe able to recognise signs of abuse and know procedures theyneed to follow to escalate their concerns.To participate in, support and maintain positiveinterventions and planned activity programmes to improve the persons qualityof life. To record contacts, interventions and observations on the electroniccare record and seek appropriate professional validation.To keep up to date with clinical knowledge pertaining to therole, relevant to the sphere of mental health and in accordance with practicedevelopments.Responsibility for Policy and Service DevelopmentImplementationTo comply with all DPT policies, protocols, proceduresrelevant to the role.Report any observed incidence of unprofessional behaviour,accidents/incidents, untoward occurrences or faulty equipment.To participate professionally in service development andproposed service changes.To take part in any audit processes as required.Comply with universal Infection Control precautions andprocedures.To complete all core training requirements and otherappropriate training courses pertinent to the role, as agreed by the teamleader.Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other ResourcesAssist in maintaining safety and security of theenvironment.Helping to maintain cleanliness and tidiness of theenvironment (including equipment).To have knowledge and understanding of counter fraud.The post holder will have no direct responsibility forfinance, but they will need to adhere to relevant Trust policies on financialissues.To use Trust NHS resources in a sustainable way.Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision,Training, HR Advice and ManagementTo work (with daily supervision from an identified mentalhealth practitioner) on their own with people in their own homes and othersettings in the community or as part of another role.To actively participate in regular supervision from a mentalhealth practitioner and an annual appraisal in accordance with Trust policy.To participate in and support students learning along withother members of the teamResponsibility for Information Resources and AdministrativeDutiesMaintain up to date electronic records in a timely andaccurate manner.To regularly access email and other information through theTrusts intranet.Maintain confidentiality of information being aware of Trustpolicies and local protocols and keeping up-to-date with changes.Work in accordance with lone working policy.Responsibility for Research and DevelopmentTo attend appropriate training courses pertinent to therole, as agreed by the team leader.Freedom to ActWorks within the standard operational procedures of theteam. Uses own initiative in delivering patient care whilst receivingsupervision from the team.Job description Job responsibilitiesCommunication and Working Relationship SkillsTo communicate effectively with people using services takinginto account any communication difficulties they may have and respondingappropriately.To participate in, support and maintain positiveinterventions and planned activity programmes to improve the quality of lifeand mental state of the person using services.To offer emotional support, advice, information andeducation where appropriate to people using services, carers and their familyincluding signposting them to other services.To foster and maintain good working relations with membersof other community teams, health and social care workers and inpatientservices. Receiving and sharing information from GPs, carers and otheragencies.Giving information and assistance to people using servicesand their carers so that they are aware of their rights, entitlements and thecontents of their recovery care plan.To communicate any changes in the persons presentation tothe care co-ordinator or appropriate professional in a timely manner.Analytical and Judgemental SkillsThe post holder will be aware of and work within their ownlimits, and competencies.Take part in the constant assessment of risk and managementof risk in conjunction with the qualified staff.Take part and be aware of Health and Safety matters asappropriate.Be punctual for work and conduct themselves in aprofessional manner in accordance with Trust Policies.Use community resources appropriate to the needs of peopleusing services. Planning and Organisational SkillsTo plan own diary and maintain accurate records of allactivity.To liaise appropriately with other Agencies as part ofsupporting the delivery of care.To attend meetings and any other formal/informalcommunication events linked to the work of the team, as directed by the teamleader.Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment andTherapyTo independently or jointly monitor a persons mental healthto ensure safety. . This may require intensive input and /or regular monitoringas directed by the mental health practitioners within the team and inaccordance with the recovery care plan.Monitor mental health through observations and reportchanges to qualified staff so that the care plan can be kept fully up to date.Be aware of fluctuations in mental health.Monitor basic health e.g. diet, hygiene and sleep and assistin addressing identified needs.Work with people using services and their carers to achievethe objectives of the care plan.Encourage social/physical activities as identified withinthe care plan.Promote independence and recoveryBe able to recognise signs of abuse and know procedures theyneed to follow to escalate their concerns.To participate in, support and maintain positiveinterventions and planned activity programmes to improve the persons qualityof life. To record contacts, interventions and observations on the electroniccare record and seek appropriate professional validation.To keep up to date with clinical knowledge pertaining to therole, relevant to the sphere of mental health and in accordance with practicedevelopments.Responsibility for Policy and Service DevelopmentImplementationTo comply with all DPT policies, protocols, proceduresrelevant to the role.Report any observed incidence of unprofessional behaviour,accidents/incidents, untoward occurrences or faulty equipment.To participate professionally in service development andproposed service changes.To take part in any audit processes as required.Comply with universal Infection Control precautions andprocedures.To complete all core training requirements and otherappropriate training courses pertinent to the role, as agreed by the teamleader.Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other ResourcesAssist in maintaining safety and security of theenvironment.Helping to maintain cleanliness and tidiness of theenvironment (including equipment).To have knowledge and understanding of counter fraud.The post holder will have no direct responsibility forfinance, but they will need to adhere to relevant Trust policies on financialissues.To use Trust NHS resources in a sustainable way.Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision,Training, HR Advice and ManagementTo work (with daily supervision from an identified mentalhealth practitioner) on their own with people in their own homes and othersettings in the community or as part of another role.To actively participate in regular supervision from a mentalhealth practitioner and an annual appraisal in accordance with Trust policy.To participate in and support students learning along withother members of the teamResponsibility for Information Resources and AdministrativeDutiesMaintain up to date electronic records in a timely andaccurate manner.To regularly access email and other information through theTrusts intranet.Maintain confidentiality of information being aware of Trustpolicies and local protocols and keeping up-to-date with changes.Work in accordance with lone working policy.Responsibility for Research and DevelopmentTo attend appropriate training courses pertinent to therole, as agreed by the team leader.Freedom to ActWorks within the standard operational procedures of theteam. Uses own initiative in delivering patient care whilst receivingsupervision from the team.Person Specification Skills and Abilities Essential Demonstrate an ability to make and sustain professional therapeutic relationships Good communication and listening skills Ability to work with people in a group and individual basis Good written communication. Able to work in a team effectively Demonstrate an ability and awareness to maintain personal boundaries Desirable Problem solving skills Experience Essential Previous employment / experience of working with people in a caring situation or previous experience working in a different role within mental health services Desirable Previous care experience with people who have Mental Health difficulties. Qualifications Essential To complete the Care Certificate within the first 6 months of employment unless already obtained or evidence of equivalent agreed and signed off by the appointing manager at interview. If not, this will be a trainee position until successful completion Desirable NVQ level 3, QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification. Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings. Other Essential To be self-motivated. Able to work changing shift patterns as required To be maintain confidentiality, empathy, compassion and patience, towards individuals with mental health illness. To maintain professionalism at all times. To be patient and tolerant in challenging situations. Person Specification Skills and Abilities Essential Demonstrate an ability to make and sustain professional therapeutic relationships Good communication and listening skills Ability to work with people in a group and individual basis Good written communication. Able to work in a team effectively Demonstrate an ability and awareness to maintain personal boundaries Desirable Problem solving skills Experience Essential Previous employment / experience of working with people in a caring situation or previous experience working in a different role within mental health services Desirable Previous care experience with people who have Mental Health difficulties. Qualifications Essential To complete the Care Certificate within the first 6 months of employment unless already obtained or evidence of equivalent agreed and signed off by the appointing manager at interview. If not, this will be a trainee position until successful completion Desirable NVQ level 3, QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification. Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings. Other Essential To be self-motivated. Able to work changing shift patterns as required To be maintain confidentiality, empathy, compassion and patience, towards individuals with mental health illness. To maintain professionalism at all times. To be patient and tolerant in challenging situations. Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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. Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the . From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. . Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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. Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the . From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. .Employer details Employer nameDevon Partnership NHS Trust AddressWonford House Dryden Road Exeter Devon EX2 5AF Employer's website