JOB DESCRIPTION

Trust Links is an organisation committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, Trustees and volunteers to share this commitment.

Trust Links aims to create a culture that respects and values each others’ differences, that promotes dignity, equality and diversity, and that encourages individuals to develop and maximise their true potential.

POST TITLE:REACH Project Worker

POST SALARY:£15,000 - £17,000 pro rata

HOURS OF WORK:20 hrs per week

POST LOCATION:Rochford

You may be required to work at any Trust Links project site and other venues around South East Essex

REPORTS TO:Recovery College Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR:Student Support Volunteers

PURPOSE OF THE POST:

REACH is the South East Essex Recovery College

REACHsupports people to manage their own mental health through learning, empowerment and coproduction. It develops self-management skills for people with mental health challenges through:

•learning and developing skills

•developing expertise in their mental health and their condition(s)

•developing personal skills

•identifying and reaching goals and aspirations

•reaching their own solutions through coaching

The foundations of our philosophy are to use peer mentors as experts in the recovery journey who themselves will have the support they need to be effective, including training, supervision and team working. This foundation provides the right support to ensure the recovery journey is maximised, that those who have recovered are inspiring and give hope to others who may be finding it difficult.

REACH provides courses to people to enable them to learn skills, techniques and methods to improve their lives. We recognise that in order to achieve this aim we need to provide a high level of support for some students to enable them to access the learning and to implement the actions they require to make changes to their lifestyle and management of their condition. REACH supports learning through shared experiences and uses the term course to describe a collection of actions and services that form a learning experience. This can include, 1 to 1 activity, practical and classroom based workshops, mentoring coaching as well a small group sessions and telephone contact sessions.

Trust Links is a local charity that aims to develop nurturing and supportive environments that develop strong, resilient and health people and communities. It was established by local people to address mental health needs in the Southend area in 2000, and was registered as a charity and limited company in 2002. Trust Links has beencommissioned to host the pilot South East Essex Recovery College (REACH), working with partners from the Recovery College Consortium Board to develop and implement the Recovery College through a collaborative arrangement.

The postholder will be required to:

Support REACH students through their enrolment, assessment, engagement and review in REACH courses and services. Using the Recovery Star and other tools, the Project Worker will empower and enable students to access the best support to meet their needs and implement changes to their lives. Key functions include:

  • Supporting the enrolment of students
  • Assessing the needs of students through the Recovery Star and other tools
  • Providing a point of contact and knowledge for REACH services and courses
  • Empowering and enabling students to access courses and opportunities to meet their needs, helping them overcome barriers to accessing REACH and engage with learning
  • Support the co-production of REACH services and courses
  • Supporting students to implement the techniques and skills from REACH courses and workshops
  • Signpost students to other services and support
  • Recruiting and supporting ‘Student Support Volunteers’ to undertake a range of support activities (e.g. community café and student union)

The postholder may be required to work evenings and weekends.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST:

  • Support the enrolment of new students, providing assessments using Recovery Star and support planning tools
  • Support students to access and engage with REACH courses and services in line with their Student Support Plan (e.g. helping overcome anxieties, building confidence, travel planning), through action plans and reviews
  • Provide activities to help students reinforce learning and implement skills and techniques learnt on courses (e.g. small group activities, one-to-one follow ups)
  • Draw on experience of recovery and resilience to support students to make lifestyle changes
  • Accurately record cases through case management systems and processes
  • Support students to access other services in the locality by gaining an understanding of local services and signposting appropriately
  • Working with partner agencies in localities to provide expertise in co-production and reducing barriers to accessing services
  • Sharing knowledge of recovery in an appropriate, professional and service user focused manner
  • Support the delivery and effective running of courses and workshops
  • Encouraging and supporting people to shape REACH by contributing to the development and review of courses, providing feedback, co-producing and facilitating courses and supporting the student union
  • Recruit, support and line manage ‘Student Support Volunteers’ to undertake a range of activities including community café and student union activities
  • Support the promotion of REACH, ensuring communications reach people with mental health issues in the locality
  • Contribute to the monitoring of the impact of REACH
  • Support fundraising for REACH
  • Ensure safeguarding and Health and Safety requirements are met in line with Trust Links policies and escalate concerns as appropriate
  • Participate in regular supervision with the Recovery College Manager and take responsibility for continuing self development, participating in training and development activities as appropriate
  • Undertake any other appropriate duties that may be required which are commensurate with the grade of the post

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Essential Criteria

  • Experience of working with people with mental health issues
  • Experience of assessments and support planning with people with mental health issues
  • An understanding of the mental health system
  • Excellent work ethic, team player and good interpersonal skills
  • Excellent communication and people skills
  • Willingness and commitment to undertake further training and development
  • Strong commitment to the principles of recovery
  • Good local knowledge of a locality area

Desirable criteria

  • Living experience of mental health issues
  • Knowledge of psychoeducational and/or vocational training for people with mental health issues
  • Experience of contributing to co-production in developing mental health services
  • Experience of using Recovery Star with service users
  • Experience of leading or co-leading courses and workshops
  • Knowledge and experience of monitoring outcome and impact
  • Experience and skills in managing change
  • Experience or understanding of REACH’s ethos and principles

Personal qualities

  • Passion for people
  • Commitment
  • Tact
  • Responsiveness
  • Realism
  • Honesty
  • Enthusiasm
  • Team Work