Job summary
The Mental Health Carer Link Worker role is an exciting position that works exclusively to support unpaid carers referred by the community mental health teams in Bedford.You will be based in the mental health teams on a daily basis, working alongside a variety of mental health professionals. You will be attending triage and MDT meetings and supporting other team members to consider the needs of carers, as well as taking on new referrals.
Your placement will be in Bedford, at the East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) offices at Florence Ball House on Kimbolton Road and our Bedford office.
This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
For an informal chat about the role please contact Amanda Thaxter on 07772 231230.
Alternatively apply through the recruitment page on our website: www.carersinbeds.org.uk
Main duties of the job
You'll be a real people person, be pro-active and enjoy networking; to engage with unpaid carers and build strong relationships with professionals.
Ideally you'll have an understanding of the internal working of the mental health services but coaching/training will be given.
This role is hands on and its purpose is to undertake assessments of carer need
by phone, online or face to face and implement
care plans.
About us
We are a strong and well-respected local charity with an ambitious plan to expand so that we can do more for carers. Our staff are our most precious resource. We know all our staff and volunteers make a difference in carers lives, whether they support someone caring for another adult in the family, a parent caring for a child with additional needs or a child who has caring responsibilities.
Our working culture is inclusive, friendly and collaborative with a strong focus on flexibility and an embedded can-do approach. Your skills and passion for our cause will make a direct difference to carers.
We offer flexible working in a supportive, friendly working environment. As an employer, we know that family and life outside work is important and we are as flexible as we can to support all aspects of our staffs wellbeing.
- Fixed term - 9 months - with the possibility of permanent employment
- 21 hours/week over 3 days, part time
- Holiday allowance of 35 days/year (includes Bank Holidays) which increases with service - pro rata for part time
- Employee Pension Scheme
- Employee Health Plan - including cash back, GP Advice line, virtual doctor, legal helpline, employee assistance programme, and discounts
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose: To complete assessment of carer needs and support unpaid carers that are referred through the Community Mental Health Team. To implement carer support plans and deliver carer well-being interventions.
The post holder will work across both Carers in Bedfordshire (CiB) and CMHT, Bedford.
Job Context: Carers in Bedfordshire is a registered charity that is governed by carers, for carers. Its work is to ensure carers care while maintaining their health and wellbeing; and are properly valued and supported by the government and the community.
The Community Mental Health Teams are provided by East London Foundation Trust (ELFT). Their base in Bedford is at Florence Ball House, Kimbolton Road
Reports to: Health Lead
Key relationships: ELFT
Carer Link Worker Team (Health Team)
Adult carer Support Workers
Wellbeing Practitioner
Nurse (SMI)
Grade/Salary: £23,903 - £24,717 (dependent on experience)
Hours: 21 hours over 3 days part time
Contract: Fixed term contract until 31st August 2024
Location: The role will require working at Carers in Bedfordshires office in Bedford and ELFT offices in Bedford and attendance at other venues to attend CiB/ELFT activities and meetings. Community working in individuals homes and community venues will also be required.
Working from Home/using remote access to work:
You may work from home on an occasional basis by agreement with your Lead
Duties and responsibilities:
- Undertake assessments of carer need by phone, online or face to face; implement care plans.
- Deliver carers well-being interventions as informed by the assessment to include psycho-education, emotional and practical support, advice and advocacy.
- Support carers in our mental health group and other carer events as required.
- Work closely with ELFT and CiB colleagues to ensure appropriate assessments and interventions are put in place.
- Work with other support workers in CiB and CMHT team members to provide expertise when needed.
- Attend multi-disciplinary and triage meetings at CMHT bases regularly.
- Keep careful and confidential records of all work completed and ongoing for individual carers, ensuring continuity of services for them in your absence.
- Complete all requirements relating to data collection and recording of clinical activity in line with service protocols
- Keep up to date with changes in legislation and local services which will affect the lives of carers
- Represent Carers in Bedfordshire and ELFT and act as a local ambassador for carers
- Be an integral part of the mental health offer to carers in South Beds
- Support out reach and awareness raising work, for example in Carers Week
Other responsibilities:
- Ensure central information systems are up-to-date including shared and personal calendars
- Ensure central information systems are up-to-date including shared and personal calendars
- Adhere to Carers in Bedfordshires and ELFT standards, policies and procedures
- Participate in training and other organisational briefings and activities and maintain an up to date knowledge of carers needs and Carers in Bedfordshires and ELFT services
- Attend regular supervision sessions and staff/team meetings
- Undertake such personal training as may be required to keep up to date and fulfil professional requirements
- Have a collaborative and flexible approach to work
- Some evening and weekend working is expected as part of your normal designated hours
Additional Duties:
This job description is not exhaustive and services to highlight the main requirements of the post holder. It is the very nature of the work that tasks and responsibilities are, in many circumstances, unpredictable and varied. All employees are therefore required to work in a flexible way when the occasion arises, so that tasks which are not specifically covered by your job description are undertaken. These additional duties will normally be to cover unforeseen circumstances or changes in work and will usually be compatible with your regular type of work.
Responsibility:
You will be responsible to the Health Lead, and ultimately, to the Board of Directors.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose: To complete assessment of carer needs and support unpaid carers that are referred through the Community Mental Health Team. To implement carer support plans and deliver carer well-being interventions.
The post holder will work across both Carers in Bedfordshire (CiB) and CMHT, Bedford.
Job Context: Carers in Bedfordshire is a registered charity that is governed by carers, for carers. Its work is to ensure carers care while maintaining their health and wellbeing; and are properly valued and supported by the government and the community.
The Community Mental Health Teams are provided by East London Foundation Trust (ELFT). Their base in Bedford is at Florence Ball House, Kimbolton Road
Reports to: Health Lead
Key relationships: ELFT
Carer Link Worker Team (Health Team)
Adult carer Support Workers
Wellbeing Practitioner
Nurse (SMI)
Grade/Salary: £23,903 - £24,717 (dependent on experience)
Hours: 21 hours over 3 days part time
Contract: Fixed term contract until 31st August 2024
Location: The role will require working at Carers in Bedfordshires office in Bedford and ELFT offices in Bedford and attendance at other venues to attend CiB/ELFT activities and meetings. Community working in individuals homes and community venues will also be required.
Working from Home/using remote access to work:
You may work from home on an occasional basis by agreement with your Lead
Duties and responsibilities:
- Undertake assessments of carer need by phone, online or face to face; implement care plans.
- Deliver carers well-being interventions as informed by the assessment to include psycho-education, emotional and practical support, advice and advocacy.
- Support carers in our mental health group and other carer events as required.
- Work closely with ELFT and CiB colleagues to ensure appropriate assessments and interventions are put in place.
- Work with other support workers in CiB and CMHT team members to provide expertise when needed.
- Attend multi-disciplinary and triage meetings at CMHT bases regularly.
- Keep careful and confidential records of all work completed and ongoing for individual carers, ensuring continuity of services for them in your absence.
- Complete all requirements relating to data collection and recording of clinical activity in line with service protocols
- Keep up to date with changes in legislation and local services which will affect the lives of carers
- Represent Carers in Bedfordshire and ELFT and act as a local ambassador for carers
- Be an integral part of the mental health offer to carers in South Beds
- Support out reach and awareness raising work, for example in Carers Week
Other responsibilities:
- Ensure central information systems are up-to-date including shared and personal calendars
- Ensure central information systems are up-to-date including shared and personal calendars
- Adhere to Carers in Bedfordshires and ELFT standards, policies and procedures
- Participate in training and other organisational briefings and activities and maintain an up to date knowledge of carers needs and Carers in Bedfordshires and ELFT services
- Attend regular supervision sessions and staff/team meetings
- Undertake such personal training as may be required to keep up to date and fulfil professional requirements
- Have a collaborative and flexible approach to work
- Some evening and weekend working is expected as part of your normal designated hours
Additional Duties:
This job description is not exhaustive and services to highlight the main requirements of the post holder. It is the very nature of the work that tasks and responsibilities are, in many circumstances, unpredictable and varied. All employees are therefore required to work in a flexible way when the occasion arises, so that tasks which are not specifically covered by your job description are undertaken. These additional duties will normally be to cover unforeseen circumstances or changes in work and will usually be compatible with your regular type of work.
Responsibility:
You will be responsible to the Health Lead, and ultimately, to the Board of Directors.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Some experience of working in a relevant setting
- Some understanding of anxiety and depression and other common mental health conditions
- Some experience of joint working, multi-agency and partnership working
- Understanding of and sensitivity to the needs and difficulties faced by unpaid carers
- Excellent IT skills
- Experience of using client database you will be using 2 databases on a daily basis
Desirable
- Experience working in a commissioned not-for-profit environment
- Experience in carrying out assessments and writing care plans
- Safeguarding training
- Experience of telephone work with clients
Skills, Abilities and Qualities
Essential
- Good communication skills verbal and written
- Ability to work effectively without constant supervision and as part of a team
- Ability to work in partnership with a range of agencies and organisations
- The skills and resilience occasionally to cope with distressing situations.
- Effective time management and prioritizing skills
- A commitment to equal opportunities and a sensitivity to the needs of adults and families from diverse backgrounds
- Willingness to adapt practice continually in response to need
Desirable
- A current First Aid certificate
- A current Mental Health First Aid certificate
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification in psychology or specialist qualification in a relevant subject
Desirable
- Graduate or post graduate qualification in mental health
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Some experience of working in a relevant setting
- Some understanding of anxiety and depression and other common mental health conditions
- Some experience of joint working, multi-agency and partnership working
- Understanding of and sensitivity to the needs and difficulties faced by unpaid carers
- Excellent IT skills
- Experience of using client database you will be using 2 databases on a daily basis
Desirable
- Experience working in a commissioned not-for-profit environment
- Experience in carrying out assessments and writing care plans
- Safeguarding training
- Experience of telephone work with clients
Skills, Abilities and Qualities
Essential
- Good communication skills verbal and written
- Ability to work effectively without constant supervision and as part of a team
- Ability to work in partnership with a range of agencies and organisations
- The skills and resilience occasionally to cope with distressing situations.
- Effective time management and prioritizing skills
- A commitment to equal opportunities and a sensitivity to the needs of adults and families from diverse backgrounds
- Willingness to adapt practice continually in response to need
Desirable
- A current First Aid certificate
- A current Mental Health First Aid certificate
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification in psychology or specialist qualification in a relevant subject
Desirable
- Graduate or post graduate qualification in mental health
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.
