Job summary
Our service is one of a number of IAPT services across England
who have been chosen to participate in a trailblazing pilot project to
incorporate employment support as part of the wider service offer. You will work
as part of Talking Matters Warrington (TMW), Warrington’s local Improving
Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service. TMW is Warrington’s primary
source of support for addressing common mental health problems such as anxiety
and depression.
The average
worker in the UK will spend over 3,500 full days of their life at work. Being
out of work, or having problems in the workplace, can be a significant source
of distress and a detriment to our wellbeing. As an Employment Advisor (EA),
your role will be to support your clients in improving their work situation and
the impact it may be having on their mental health.
For an informal discussion, please contact Matt Woodward on 01925 401 720.
Main duties of the job
As an Employment Advisor, you will work alongside therapists in delivering an integrated package of person-centred care for your clients. Your role will be varied and broad in nature, one day you might be completing a CV review, a mock interview and delivering assertiveness training. The next you might be liaising with the Job Centre Plus, advocating on your client’s behalf with their employer or heading out into the community to build relationships and raise awareness.
About you
Experience of working with mental health is a must and knowledge of working with people with a variety of complex needs (such as learning or physical) will be advantageous for this post. You will be able inspire and engage people to help them identify and overcome the obstacles and barriers they may be facing. You will be empathetic in your approach and be able to identify barriers and understand client needs. Empowerment and achievement will be your default ethos.
You will have a growth mindset, open to new ideas and different perspectives, and be willing to problem solve and engage in new, exciting challenges on a daily basis.
Closing date: 11/09/2022*
*The closing date given is a guide. We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so we advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.
About us
Mental Health Matters (MHM) is a national charity with over 35 years of experience in delivering high-quality mental health and social care services. We have a positive impact on the lives of people living with mental health needs in our local communities. We provide services across England, from Northumberland to Plymouth, led by a highly motivated and enthusiastic workforce who are committed to delivering the best quality services to those in need of support.
Everything about MHM is people focused, our people are central to delivering the highest quality of service and care to our clients and service users. What we offer
MHM offers 25 days annual leave per annum, plus statutory holidays and a 5% contributory pension scheme.
At MHM not only can you expect a competitive salary, generous annual leave and pension entitlement, you can also expect to be supported in your ongoing personal and professional development. In addition, you will work with people who are passionate about supporting individuals in their day to day lives.
Please note that due to the sensitive nature of the duties, an enhanced DBS will be sought in event of a successful application.
All disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential short-listing criteria are guaranteed an interview.
MHM is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Title: Employment Advisor (EA)
Reporting
to: Senior
Employment Advisor (SEA)
Duties to include:
To
manage a caseload of people (up to 70 people per year) who have experienced
mental health problems and who wish to retain, return to or regain employment.
Using evidence based interventions.
The
EA work will be led by and focused on the aspirations of the service user.
Considering their strengths, difficulties and employment assets in order to
offer the most effective support.
Conduct
an assessment, discussing the person’s job goals and any concerns regarding
their capacity for work. It is important
at this point to establish a job goal (they may wish to change roles or find a
job), job tasks gathering evidence about the individuals abilities including
previous work experience (it could be that a role they did previously may be
more suitable). Also important is their
confidence to perform tasks and any factors that may be issues for employment
and whether the individual has or could develop strategies to address them.
Match
job tasks and in the individual’s ability to do the job and any work solutions
that may be required to develop the match.
Refer
the person to other support if they have particularly complex barriers.
Offer
the person support agreeing a written action plan with the person detailing the
steps to be taken to either get back into or retain employment and the
appropriate support route. Need to include abilities, work solutions,
preparation for work, disclosure. The action plan should also be SMART
(specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time bound).
The
EA will develop in-depth knowledge of the local labour market, local support
and new initiatives, taking into account the needs of the client to broker
effective interventions. Including specialist schemes to help with retaining or
finding employment.
Where
appropriate provide help to find the right job and provide advice and support
on training and also how to prepare for employer interviews.
Work
closely with local agencies to identify appropriate job vacancies
Advocate
on behalf of the person with prospective employers if necessary, aiming to
identify work solutions that will overcome or minimise difficulties within the
workplace. In particular it is important
to establish any return to work issues, potential behaviour in the work place,
possible work solutions. Employer
awareness of the implications under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable
adjustments, health conditions and employment reactions. Interactions with supervisors and
colleagues. Development needs and in
work support.
If
appropriate signpost the person to other agencies who will be able to provide
advice on other benefits/support the person may be entitled too.
Provide
continued personalised support after an individual has returned to work or
secured employment to help them to sustain employment.
To
develop and maintain the integration of mental health treatment and employment
support by establishing effective liaison of IAPT employment support services
and other health and social care services.
To
complete all necessary paperwork including questionnaires, reports and minutes
for each interaction.
Collect
& report data to support service performance and evaluation
To
report any progress, change or adverse event promptly to a senior EA.
To
promote the service and MHM
To proactively contribute to
continuously improving the service by making positive suggestions,
providing constructive feedback and assisting in the implementation of
agreed new ways of working.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Title: Employment Advisor (EA)
Reporting
to: Senior
Employment Advisor (SEA)
Duties to include:
To
manage a caseload of people (up to 70 people per year) who have experienced
mental health problems and who wish to retain, return to or regain employment.
Using evidence based interventions.
The
EA work will be led by and focused on the aspirations of the service user.
Considering their strengths, difficulties and employment assets in order to
offer the most effective support.
Conduct
an assessment, discussing the person’s job goals and any concerns regarding
their capacity for work. It is important
at this point to establish a job goal (they may wish to change roles or find a
job), job tasks gathering evidence about the individuals abilities including
previous work experience (it could be that a role they did previously may be
more suitable). Also important is their
confidence to perform tasks and any factors that may be issues for employment
and whether the individual has or could develop strategies to address them.
Match
job tasks and in the individual’s ability to do the job and any work solutions
that may be required to develop the match.
Refer
the person to other support if they have particularly complex barriers.
Offer
the person support agreeing a written action plan with the person detailing the
steps to be taken to either get back into or retain employment and the
appropriate support route. Need to include abilities, work solutions,
preparation for work, disclosure. The action plan should also be SMART
(specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time bound).
The
EA will develop in-depth knowledge of the local labour market, local support
and new initiatives, taking into account the needs of the client to broker
effective interventions. Including specialist schemes to help with retaining or
finding employment.
Where
appropriate provide help to find the right job and provide advice and support
on training and also how to prepare for employer interviews.
Work
closely with local agencies to identify appropriate job vacancies
Advocate
on behalf of the person with prospective employers if necessary, aiming to
identify work solutions that will overcome or minimise difficulties within the
workplace. In particular it is important
to establish any return to work issues, potential behaviour in the work place,
possible work solutions. Employer
awareness of the implications under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable
adjustments, health conditions and employment reactions. Interactions with supervisors and
colleagues. Development needs and in
work support.
If
appropriate signpost the person to other agencies who will be able to provide
advice on other benefits/support the person may be entitled too.
Provide
continued personalised support after an individual has returned to work or
secured employment to help them to sustain employment.
To
develop and maintain the integration of mental health treatment and employment
support by establishing effective liaison of IAPT employment support services
and other health and social care services.
To
complete all necessary paperwork including questionnaires, reports and minutes
for each interaction.
Collect
& report data to support service performance and evaluation
To
report any progress, change or adverse event promptly to a senior EA.
To
promote the service and MHM
To proactively contribute to
continuously improving the service by making positive suggestions,
providing constructive feedback and assisting in the implementation of
agreed new ways of working.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent)
- Evidence of further study in vocational training, careers advice and job retention
Desirable
- Level 3 Coaching Qualification
- Customer service NVQ level 2 minimum or equivalent.
- or
- Evidence of a good customer service background.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- A caring, responsible and positive approach.
- Reliable, trustworthy and enthusiastic.
- Motivated and innovative.
- Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships.
- Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality.
- Willing and able to undertake the relevant training associated with the role.
- Able to integrate training into practice.
Desirable
- Willingness to travel to other locations throughout the organisation.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of providing vocational/employment support.
Desirable
- Experience of supporting people with MH conditions into vocational/employment activities.
- Understanding of the employment needs barriers and difficulties faced by people with MH conditions.
- Experience of working in a service where agreed targets are in place, demonstrating specific outcomes
- Experience of assessing, planning and facilitating activities that focus on recovery and vocational skills.
- Experience of working within a multi disciplinary team
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Effective written and oral communication skills.
- Organisational skills.
- Ability to prioritise and plan own caseload.
- Basic counselling skills.
- Ability to assess individual strengths in relation to employment.
- Ability to adapt activities to be appropriate for the needs of an individual client.
- Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to collect and report data to support service performance and evaluation
- Knowledge of employment and disability related benefits.
- Vocational assessment and profiling.
Desirable
- Ability to negotiate with employers on behalf of service users.
- Ability to be flexible, open and creative in problem solving.
- Ability to work as part of a multi disciplinary team
- Awareness of the needs of people with MH conditions. The issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on MH.
- Working knowledge of community resources.
- Knowledge of employment law and the Equality Act 2010.
- Knowledge of evidence based interventions to support people with common MH problems remain in, return to & gain work
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent)
- Evidence of further study in vocational training, careers advice and job retention
Desirable
- Level 3 Coaching Qualification
- Customer service NVQ level 2 minimum or equivalent.
- or
- Evidence of a good customer service background.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- A caring, responsible and positive approach.
- Reliable, trustworthy and enthusiastic.
- Motivated and innovative.
- Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships.
- Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality.
- Willing and able to undertake the relevant training associated with the role.
- Able to integrate training into practice.
Desirable
- Willingness to travel to other locations throughout the organisation.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of providing vocational/employment support.
Desirable
- Experience of supporting people with MH conditions into vocational/employment activities.
- Understanding of the employment needs barriers and difficulties faced by people with MH conditions.
- Experience of working in a service where agreed targets are in place, demonstrating specific outcomes
- Experience of assessing, planning and facilitating activities that focus on recovery and vocational skills.
- Experience of working within a multi disciplinary team
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Effective written and oral communication skills.
- Organisational skills.
- Ability to prioritise and plan own caseload.
- Basic counselling skills.
- Ability to assess individual strengths in relation to employment.
- Ability to adapt activities to be appropriate for the needs of an individual client.
- Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to collect and report data to support service performance and evaluation
- Knowledge of employment and disability related benefits.
- Vocational assessment and profiling.
Desirable
- Ability to negotiate with employers on behalf of service users.
- Ability to be flexible, open and creative in problem solving.
- Ability to work as part of a multi disciplinary team
- Awareness of the needs of people with MH conditions. The issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on MH.
- Working knowledge of community resources.
- Knowledge of employment law and the Equality Act 2010.
- Knowledge of evidence based interventions to support people with common MH problems remain in, return to & gain work
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.
