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:Recovery College Manager

POST SALARY:£27,000 - £32,000 (depending on experience)

HOURS OF WORK:37.5 hrs per week

POST LOCATION:Southend on Sea

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

REPORTS TO:Trust Links Chief Executive

RESPONSIBLE FOR:South East Essex Recovery College Staff and Volunteers

PURPOSE OF THE POST:

The South East Essex Recovery College is a wellbeing community that supports people through an individual recovery journey and supported transition from dependency to self-management in the longer term.

We strive to achieve and support optimum wellbeing and self-management where we can say to ourselves ‘I have people around me and I’m looking after myself….I’m OK!’

Recovery cannot take place in isolation, and the journey will flex over time. Carers and friends and family, employers and colleagues all have their part to play, and they in turn need their support. The wellbeing community is for the person in recovery and those that care for and are with them.

The Recovery College is non-stigmatising, it normalises the breadth of what it is to be human, and takes a whole life approach to supporting those recovering and all those involved with them.

The foundations of our philosophy are to use peer supporters as experts in the recovery journey who themselves will have the support they need to be effective, including training and supervision and working together. 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.

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, 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:

  • Work withthe Recovery College Consortium Board to lead the development, co-ordination, co-production and implementation of the Recovery College in South East Essex including developing the Business Plan
  • Lead on the planning, development and commissioning of courses and workshops to support the recovery of people with mental health problems
  • Ensure appropriate involvement of people with living experience of mental health challenges both in the ‘student union’, as wellbeing coaches, development of prospectus and delivering courses
  • Ensure appropriate systems, processes and procedures are in place and adhered to to deliver the Recovery College
  • Provide line management and supervision to Recovery College staff and volunteers
  • Lead on the marketing, fundraising and budget management of Recovery College
  • Lead on the monitoring of the outcomes and impact of the Recovery College

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST:

  • Develop the Business Plan for the Recovery College, monitor its progress and report to the Recovery College Consortium Board
  • Develop and produce the Recovery College Prospectus by identifying needs, arranging and commissioning courses
  • Oversee the day to day development and delivery of the Recovery College
  • Liaise with external agencies, beneficiaries, volunteers,Trust Links staff and members of the Recovery College Consortium Board to identify courses and other opportunities in the area that can form part of the Recovery College
  • Working closely with the Peer Support Lead Worker, lead effective co-production with people with living experience of mental health challenges in all aspects of the planning, design and delivery of the Recovery College
  • Commission courses and other services within the agreed budget and Business Plan and monitor their quality and suitability
  • Establish and deliver systems and processes for registering students for courses and supporting attendance
  • Ensure all students are appropriately assessed, risk assessed, monitored and supported
  • Ensure risk assessments are in place for all Recovery College activities and services
  • Ensure the effective marketing of the Recovery College to people with mental health problems, carers and professionals
  • Monitor the impact of Recovery College services and courses and support the effective evaluation of the Recovery College
  • Support fundraising for additional resources for the Recovery College
  • Develop the ‘Student Union’ offer across South East Essex, providing opportunities for adults with mental health problems to get support beyond formal courses and workshops
  • Manage delegated budgets
  • Recruit, line manage and supervise staff to support the effective delivery of the Recovery College
  • Recruit, manage and supervise Recovery College volunteers, matching volunteers’ skills with appropriate activities and opportunities
  • Work with other health and social care professionals as required
  • Devise, plan and deliver occasional training courses and workshops within areas of knowledge
  • Ensure that all Recovery College staff are fully conversant with Trust Links policies and procedures and that these are fully implemented, ensuring that staff work to agreed standards, regulations and legislation
  • Ensure safeguarding and Health and Safety requirements are met in line with Trust Links policies and escalate concerns as appropriate
  • Ensure that services offered are accessible to all appropriate people from the local community, promoting an inclusive approach
  • Promote the work of the Recovery College to partner agencies and at external events as required
  • Attend appropriate meetings and events
  • Participate in regular supervision with the Chief Executive Officer and take responsibility for continuing self development, participating and training and development activities as appropriate
  • Undertake quality assurance exercises to ensure a high standard of service delivery
  • Undertake any other appropriate duties that may be required which are commensurate with the grade of the post

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Essential Criteria

  • Experience working with adults with mental health problems in the statutory or voluntary sector
  • Person centred, with a flexible approach in meeting client–centred objectives
  • Good documentation and report writing skills and effective verbal communication
  • People management skills and experience including staff support and supervision
  • Project management skills and experience
  • Good computer skills e.g. word processing, databases, email and Internet
  • Excellent work ethic, team player and good interpersonal skills
  • Ability to prioritise, work under pressure and organise time to meet project targets
  • Good knowledge of training programmes
  • Good computer skills e.g. outlook, word, excel
  • Experience of multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working
  • Full Clean Driving License
  • Ability to lead change management and bring about cultural change across systems
  • DBS check
  • Excellent communication and people skills across all levels
  • Ability to build networks and make connections
  • Commitment to self-development
  • Willingness and commitment to undertake further training and development.

Desirable criteria

  • Relevant Health and Social Care Qualification at NVQ 4 or above
  • Relevant qualification and experience in adult education
  • Experience of co-production with people with living experience of mental health challenges from a professional or service user perspective

Personal qualities

  • Commitment
  • Tact
  • Responsiveness
  • Realism
  • Honesty
  • Enthusiasm
  • Flexibility
  • Team Work