Job responsibilities
Service Overview: Northpoint is a charity with a track-record of providing accessible therapeutic services to local communities. Northpoint Wellbeing has provided school-based counselling since 2009, and now works with children, young people and families by providing a school therapy service in 17 Leeds clusters of schools across the city as part of the Leeds Mindmate Wellbeing Contract. We are also providing therapeutic support to schools in York Doncaster & Harrogate.
MindMate Single Point of Access (MMSPA) is managed by Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust, and receives referrals for school age children and young people who need support with their emotional wellbeing or mental health. The team comprises administrative staff and clinicians who work in partnership with a range of professionals and organisations across Leeds to ensure that all children and young people who are being referred for support can get access to the right service, first time. This innovative service allows families and young people across Leeds to get better, faster access to the care they need.
Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust have now commissioned Northpoint to recruit a number of practitioners to work as part of the multi-disciplinary team within the MindMate SPA. The roles will be line-managed by Northpoint Wellbeing’s schools services management team, and the postholder’s will receive day to day direction from the MindMate SPA team manager.
Job Purpose: This is an exciting opportunity for enthusiastic and experienced practitioners to work collaboratively in a committed and forward-thinking organisation and make a tangible difference to the lives of young people and families in Leeds.
A high percentage of referrals received into MMSPA 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 person’s needs and presenting difficulties. The postholder will contribute to this process.
The postholder will act as the front-line of the service supporting the triage of neurodevelopmental referrals into MMSPA by taking calls, talking to families and discussing the options of available support, providing referral information to professionals, and working within the multi-disciplinary team.
The post holder will work within standard operating procedures / pathways to manage their own workload independently but with reference to a supervisor within the clinical area. The post holder will work within a range of standard operating procedures and pathways in which they have received training in order to be competent.
There are 5 main aspects to the role:
Gathering information on the strengths, wishes, and mental health needs of children, young people & families who are referred to Mindmate SPA.
Helping to establish the most appropriate outcome for individual referrals.
Providing signposting advice and guidance.
Working within standard operating procedures and pathways to support the triage of neurodevelopmental referrals to help determine whether a young person meets the criteria for an autism/ADHD assessment.
Offering telephone consultation and advice to families and professionals.
Full Duties:
The post holder will demonstrate a theoretical and practical knowledge of neurodevelopmental conditions and presentations – involving an understanding of theories and principles
Prioritise their own workload, and that of the wider team, within agreed objectives deciding when to refer to others as appropriate.
The post holder will be able to make judgement involving facts or situation which may require analysis e.g. making clinical decisions related to specific pathway of care.
Able to identify risk or changes in condition and is responsible for taking action; advises supervising professional and accurately record all interventions
Liaison and information gathering from schools and other professionals to support the triage of neurodevelopmental referral
Act as a first point of contact for neurodevelopmental queries from professionals and families, responding to these in a clinically appropriate and professional manner, escalating to senior members of the team where required
Provides and receives routine or sometimes complex information using persuasion, reassurance, tact and empathy and addressing barriers to understanding in order to engage the individual in their care and gain valid consent for care; record discussions in an accurate and timely manner in the individual’s patient record
Approaches each individual with care, compassion and sensitivity ensuring that these values are reflected in all aspects of their role
Engages and actively involves the individual and, if appropriate, their family/carer, in the triage of their referral by using person-centred techniques to promote a culture of self care, involvement and empowerment
Communicate referral decisions in a clear, accessible and helpful manner by phone and/or in writing.
Manages own workload independently to carry out identified tasks within the neurodevelopmental 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 Leeds area.
Develop a good knowledge base of on-line resources, apps, and websites.
Act as an advocate for patients and their families/carer, recognising the boundaries of their clinical knowledge; liaising and referring on to other agencies as required
Record patient related information onto an electronic patient management system (Mosaic) in a timely and accurate fashion in line with information governance protocols.
Other responsibilities:
Build and maintain effective working relationships with partners and stakeholders.
Contribute to relevant forums, panels and assessment meetings and 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 Northpoint’s 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 Northpoint’s Equal Opportunities Policy
All employees will adhere to Northpoint Wellbeing safeguarding procedures.
Contribute to annual appraisal process by working with line manager to identify areas for development and set appropriate objectives
Attend and engage with reflective practice and clinical supervision
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:
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 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.