CAMHS Single Point of Access Triage Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Title: Triage Worker

Salary scale: £25,910 to £29,800 (pro rata to 35 hrs FTE)

Pension: Eligible employees will be auto-enrolled in a defined contribution scheme

Start date: June 2021 (or as soon as possible thereafter)

Working Hours: Full time (35 hours). Applications for 4 days (28 hours) or above considered.

The service operates on weekdays during office hours, with later opening on Tuesdays and

Wednesdays until 6.30pm in term-time (later shifts are staffed on a rota basis).

Holidays: 28 days annual leave per year (pro-rata for part-time posts) plus Bank Holidays and up to 3 discretionary leave days between Christmas & New Year.

Contract: 12 month fixed contract of employment (continuation funding beyond 1 year is likely)

Location: Northpoints office in Clare Road, central Halifax (some home working during Covid).

Reporting to: Northpoints Single Point of Access Co-ordinator

Role summary: The post-holder will join the existing triage team who help to provide young people, families and professionals with prompt, helpful and positive outcomes to their referrals. The triage worker will be based within our office within a friendly and supportive team which includes admin, clinicians and a co-ordinator. Referral information is recorded on an electronic patient management system.

There are 5 main aspects to the role:

1. Gathering information on the strengths, wishes, and mental health needs of children and young people who are referred to Open Minds (CAMHS).

2. Helping to establish the most appropriate outcome for individual referrals.

3. Providing signposting advice and guidance where young people do not require a mental health intervention from Open Minds (CAMHS).

4. Supporting the neurodevelopmental triage process to helps determine whether a young person meets the criteria for an autism/ADHD assessment.

5. Offering telephone consultation and advice to families and professionals who want to explore support and signposting options for a young person without a referral.

Service Overview: Calderdale Open Minds (CAMHS) is a partnership of organisations who are commissioned to deliver signposting, advice, and mental health interventions for children and young people aged 5 to 18 and their families.

Within Open Minds (CAMHS), Northpoint operate a First Point of Contact (known as FPOC) which is the single point of access for referrals (including Autism and ADHD). We also offer signposting, advice, and guidance to parents/carers, young people, and professionals.

The service receives over 2,000 referrals each year. The triage process is intended to quickly build a picture of the wishes, strengths and mental health needs of the children and young people who are referred to Open Minds (CAMHS) so that a prompt and positive outcome to the referral can be reached.

Many of the children, young people and families who are referred to Open Minds (CAMHS) require light touch signposting and advice in order to help them thrive. Others require a mental health intervention from Open Minds (CAMHS) or another partner organisation. A small number require more urgent and immediate support. The triage workers help to determine which of these outcomes is the most suitable for each young person.

Around 30% of referrals request neurodevelopmental assessments for autism and ADHD. Where appropriate, these referrals undergo a screening process in order to determine clinical suitability for a neurodevelopmental assessment. This process gives young people, parents/carers, and school staff the opportunity to have a voice and contribute to the decision by giving their views on the young persons needs and presenting difficulties. The postholder will contribute to this process.

The FPOC also offers parents/carers, school staff and professionals the option of calling for a helpful conversation where guidance, advice and signposting information can be given without a formal referral. It is envisaged the postholder will also help with this process.

Full Duties:

Check new referrals for risk to ensure urgent needs are identified in a timely manner.

Gather accurate and relevant information to enable timely and positive referral outcomes.

Communicate referral decisions in a clear, accessible and helpful manner by phone and/or in writing.

Respond to requests for support (calls/e-mails/letters) from parents/carers and professionals.

Offer telephone consultation to families and professionals who may want to explore support options for a young person without the need for a referral.

Contribute to triage meetings/referral discussions and other forums/meetings.

Support the neurodevelopmental screening and triage process to help determine the suitability of an autism or ADHD assessment.

Keep clear records of information gathered, next steps, and decisions made.

Build a strong understanding of available services in the Calderdale area.

Develop a good knowledge base of on-line resources, apps, and websites.

Record patient related information onto an electronic patient management system (Iapetus) in a timely and accurate fashion in line with information governance protocols.

Help ensure the office is a safe, clean, and secure working environment.

Other responsibilities:

Build and maintain effective working relationships with partners and stakeholders.

Contribute to relevant forums, panels and assessment meetings and processes.

Submit timely and accurate monitoring data as required.

Use appropriate measurement and evaluation tools.

Collect feedback and qualitative evaluations from young people, family members, staff and professionals and engage in service review and development processes.

Manage time pressures effectively, and meet objectives in the face of competing priorities, challenging timescales, and diversions.

General:

All employees must be familiar with and adhere to Northpoints operational policies, service protocols, and practice guidelines as required, taking account of any relevant partner protocols and procedures.

All employees have a responsibility and a legal obligation to ensure that information processed for both patients and staff is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with the Data Protection Act (2018) and Security and Confidentiality Policies

All employees have a duty and responsibility for their own health and safety and the health of safety of colleagues, patients and the general public.

All employees will undertake statutory and mandatory training as deemed appropriate and have a willingness and commitment to professional development.

Northpoint Wellbeing is committed to ensuring that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital status, gender reassignment or pregnancy/maternity. We fully support the right of all staff to equal opportunities and are committed to the development of a diverse workforce. All employees are expected to be familiar with and adhere to Northpoints Equal Opportunities Policy

All employees will adhere to Northpoint Wellbeing safeguarding procedures.

It is the responsibility of all staff that they do not abuse their professional position for personal gain, to seek advantage of further private business, or for other interests, in the course of their official duties.

Support:

Line management and clinical/reflective supervision will be provided by Northpoint

Peer support from staff within Northpoint and with colleagues from other agencies is facilitated and encouraged.

Northpoint places a strong emphasis on the development, wellbeing, training, and support of all staff (including non-clinical staff)

All staff receive an annual review/appraisal which will include support to access relevant CPD (continuing professional development) training.

Travel expenses will be provided at the standard Northpoint rate.

Additional expenses will be claimed through Northpoint as agreed.

Mobile smartphone and laptop and access to IT systems will be provided.

This job description does not provide an exhaustive list of duties and may be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder in light of service development.

Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate: Due to the nature of the work, this post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check (formerly CRB check). Northpoints policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available on request - a past criminal conviction will not necessarily be a bar to employment.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level

Desirable

• A relevant qualification in the field of mental health or similar

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a mental health service or a similar organisation supporting children, young people and/or families
• Experience in assessing child protection/safeguarding concerns and the ability to act on these in accordance with relevant safeguarding procedures

Desirable

• Experience of assessing mental health needs
• Experience of working in CAMHS or similar
• Experience of providing telephone support/advice
• Experience of using an electronic patient record system (e.g. IAPTus/SystmOne)
• Experience of supporting young people with SEN, and or neurodevelopmental needs (ASD/ADHD)

Knowledge and Understanding

Essential

• Understanding of the emotional health problems which can affect children, young people and their families, and of the interventions available.
• Understanding of the principles of confidentiality

Desirable

• Knowledge of neurodevelopmental conditions (Autism and ADHD)
• Understanding of the pressures facing professionals who support children and young people, such as schools and GPs
• Knowledge of relevant local services and referral pathways in Calderdale

Skills and competencies

Essential

• Able to deal with calls from young people, parents/carers and professionals which may involve emotional or distressing content
• Able to provide support and guidance to parents and professionals on matters relating to childrens mental health and emotional wellbeing
• Able to build and maintain relationships with others both internal and external to the organisation whilst maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
• Ability to plan and organise workload in line with targets and pressures
• Able to work according to organisational policies and procedures
• Actively committed to personal & professional development
• IT skills i.e. able to use Microsoft Office packages including Word and Outlook and video conferencing such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including communicating clearly and concisely at all levels (both orally and in writing)
• Ability to write clear, accessible & professional reports/letters (e.g. discharge letters)

Qualities and Values

Essential

• An understanding of, and sensitivity towards, mental health issues
• Evidence of a positive and proactive attitude.
• Motivated and solution-focused
• Commitment to the principles of inclusivity, equality and diversity, demonstrated in practice
• Demonstrates values consistent with those of the Northpoints

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Northpoint Wellbeing Ltd

Address

9 Clare Road

Halifax

West Yorkshire

HX1 2HX

Employer's website

https://northpoint.org.uk (Opens in a new tab)