Porchlight

Mental Health Navigator

The closing date is 04 August 2025

Job summary

Join Mental Health Together (MHT), a new Kent & Medway multi-agency service supporting people with varying mental health needs. Porchlight is a strategic partner in this transformed offer, designed to remove service boundaries and ensure people receive the right care without retelling their story.

Youll be one of the first contacts for those using MHT, so strong communication, compassion, and a commitment to positive experiences are essential. Working as part of a collaborative team across organisations, youll value partnership and the unique skills each member brings.

This role suits someone with at least two years experience in community mental health or wellbeing, supporting individuals with complex needs. Youll understand mental health systems, local services, and the impact of social factors.

Requirements:

  • Minimum Level 3 qualification in mental health, housing, welfare advice, social work, or healthcare
  • Full driving licence and access to a vehicle (subject to DDA 1995)
  • Ability to listen, understand, and co-create achievable plans with individuals
  • Passion for improving mental health service experiences

Hours: 37.5/week, MonFri 9am5pm (some flexibility) Base: Coleman House, Dover Contract: Fixed Term until 31 March 2026

See Job Description and Person Specification for full details

Main duties of the job

    • Meet individuals at their first contact with Mental Health Together, using Dialog/Dialog+ to assess needs and outcomes
    • Co-create personalised support plans for those with complex mental health needs, identifying next steps and aspirations
    • Apply expertise in social factors affecting mental health and identify relevant services to support whole-life needs
    • Collaborate from locality hubs to agree on suitable services/interventions following initial assessments
    • Deliver initial CBT-based one-to-one interventions (training provided by clinicians)
    • Manage a caseload effectively, knowing when to involve specialist support within the team
    • Identify, assess, and manage risk and safeguarding concerns, escalating appropriately
    • Work independently in the community, building professional relationships and mapping local assets to support individual goals
    • Maintain accurate, timely records across Mental Health Together systems
  • About us

    Porchlight is a charity supporting people who are homeless, vulnerable, and isolated. At Porchlight, we are passionate about helping vulnerable people to reach their full potential. We strive for a fairer society where vulnerable people find stability, the most excluded are included, and where homelessness and poverty are things of the past.

    Porchlight is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Porchlight is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

    Details

    Date posted

    28 July 2025

    Pay scheme

    Other

    Salary

    £26,850 to £29,644 a year Rises to £29,644 after 5 years' service

    Contract

    Fixed term

    Duration

    8 months

    Working pattern

    Full-time, Flexible working

    Reference number

    B0347-25-0000

    Job locations

    Coleman House Mental Health Services

    Brookfield Avenue

    Dover

    Kent

    CT16 2AH


    Job description

    Job responsibilities

    Job Description

    Job title: Mental Health Together Navigator

    Project/Base: Dover

    Reports to: Service Manager

    Hours: 37.5 hours per week

    Contract: Fixed Term until 31 March 2026

    Salary: Grade D

    Purpose

    • Porchlight is one of the strategic partners for the newly established Kent & Medway service, Mental Health Together (MHT); this is the transformed multi-agency offer, which brings all the services and agencies that support people with varying mental health needs much closer together. This ensures that people get the right care, without having to navigate service boundaries and without repeatedly telling their story. The MHT Navigator is one of several new roles which is part of a new joined-up model of care which bridges the gap that currently exists between primary (i.e. GPs) and community mental health (i.e. KMPT). It will support people with complex mental health needs by:
    • Providing someone with support in a person-centred, holistic way
    • Delivering needs-led and personalised trauma-informed care.
    • Removing barriers to access, and thresholds across services working together
    • Involving those using services and carers as equal partners in their support

    • Building in involvement and co-production at all levels of service design delivery

    What we need

    You will be one of the first people that those using Mental Health Together will meet, so you will have a strong commitment to ensuring that this first experience is positive, being a strong communicator as well as showing compassion.

    As part of one team of professionals from across different organisations that make up Mental Health Together, you will value partnership and collaboration, recognising the different skills and understanding that each person brings to the team.

    This role is perfect for individuals with significant experience of working within a community. mental health and or wellbeing setting, working with individuals with complex mental health needs to help them achieve their goals. As well as understanding how mental health systems work, you will have good insight into local services and support, and how social factors can affect mental health.

    Main Duties & Responsibilities

    1. Work with individuals at their initial meeting of Mental Health Together to understand their needs using Dialog and Dialog+, a person-centred assessment and outcome measurement tool
    2. Develop an initial personalised support plan with those with complex mental health needs accessing support about next steps in meeting their needs and aspirations
    3. Bring expertise related to the whole life room aspect of the persons needs, thinking about the social factors that might be affecting those with complex mental health needs, and which services could help and support
    4. From locality hubs, work collaboratively as part of the Mental Health Together team, agreeing which services and/or interventions will best support individuals after their initial meeting assessment
    5. Deliver initial interventions (a one-to-one CBT based psychological intervention) for new individuals accessing the service, with training provided by clinicians
    6. Effectively manage a caseload, with good awareness and understanding of when to collaborate within the Mental Health Together team where more specialist support is needed
    7. Identify, assess, and effectively manage risk and safeguarding issues, escalating as appropriate within the team
    8. Work independently in the community, proactively building up a network of professional relationships, and knowledge of community assets to support individuals in their achievement of their goals within their support plan
    9. Maintain timely, accurate and up to date records on client record systems across Mental Health Together

    This job description is a summary of the main responsibilities of the post and duties may change and vary from time to time. Employees will be consulted on any major changes to the job description.

    Job description

    Job responsibilities

    Job Description

    Job title: Mental Health Together Navigator

    Project/Base: Dover

    Reports to: Service Manager

    Hours: 37.5 hours per week

    Contract: Fixed Term until 31 March 2026

    Salary: Grade D

    Purpose

    • Porchlight is one of the strategic partners for the newly established Kent & Medway service, Mental Health Together (MHT); this is the transformed multi-agency offer, which brings all the services and agencies that support people with varying mental health needs much closer together. This ensures that people get the right care, without having to navigate service boundaries and without repeatedly telling their story. The MHT Navigator is one of several new roles which is part of a new joined-up model of care which bridges the gap that currently exists between primary (i.e. GPs) and community mental health (i.e. KMPT). It will support people with complex mental health needs by:
    • Providing someone with support in a person-centred, holistic way
    • Delivering needs-led and personalised trauma-informed care.
    • Removing barriers to access, and thresholds across services working together
    • Involving those using services and carers as equal partners in their support

    • Building in involvement and co-production at all levels of service design delivery

    What we need

    You will be one of the first people that those using Mental Health Together will meet, so you will have a strong commitment to ensuring that this first experience is positive, being a strong communicator as well as showing compassion.

    As part of one team of professionals from across different organisations that make up Mental Health Together, you will value partnership and collaboration, recognising the different skills and understanding that each person brings to the team.

    This role is perfect for individuals with significant experience of working within a community. mental health and or wellbeing setting, working with individuals with complex mental health needs to help them achieve their goals. As well as understanding how mental health systems work, you will have good insight into local services and support, and how social factors can affect mental health.

    Main Duties & Responsibilities

    1. Work with individuals at their initial meeting of Mental Health Together to understand their needs using Dialog and Dialog+, a person-centred assessment and outcome measurement tool
    2. Develop an initial personalised support plan with those with complex mental health needs accessing support about next steps in meeting their needs and aspirations
    3. Bring expertise related to the whole life room aspect of the persons needs, thinking about the social factors that might be affecting those with complex mental health needs, and which services could help and support
    4. From locality hubs, work collaboratively as part of the Mental Health Together team, agreeing which services and/or interventions will best support individuals after their initial meeting assessment
    5. Deliver initial interventions (a one-to-one CBT based psychological intervention) for new individuals accessing the service, with training provided by clinicians
    6. Effectively manage a caseload, with good awareness and understanding of when to collaborate within the Mental Health Together team where more specialist support is needed
    7. Identify, assess, and effectively manage risk and safeguarding issues, escalating as appropriate within the team
    8. Work independently in the community, proactively building up a network of professional relationships, and knowledge of community assets to support individuals in their achievement of their goals within their support plan
    9. Maintain timely, accurate and up to date records on client record systems across Mental Health Together

    This job description is a summary of the main responsibilities of the post and duties may change and vary from time to time. Employees will be consulted on any major changes to the job description.

    Person Specification

    Skills & Abilities

    Essential

    • Knowledge and understanding of complex mental health needs.
    • Ability to facilitate, engage, motivate, and support individuals.
    • Ability to support & empower individuals to form their own decisions.
    • A motivational, flexible, and problem-solving approach.
    • Ability to work on own initiative, as well as in consultation and negotiation with managers and other stakeholders as required.
    • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
    • Flexibility to cope with the varying demands of the role, balancing face-to-face work with the need for accurate recording of support notes, and activity.

    Desirable

    • Confident in speaking in multi-disciplinary meetings & giving feedback to colleagues & local service providers.

    Knowledge & Understanding

    Essential

    • Be able to display an awareness, understanding and commitment to the protection and safeguarding of young people and vulnerable adults.

    Experience

    Essential

    • Minimum of two years experience delivering mental health and wellbeing interventions in a case management approach.
    • Experience of working with primary or secondary health/social care services
    • Experience of facilitating and supporting clients with complex and/or multiple barriers in getting the support they need.

    Qualifications

    Essential

    • Minimum level 3 qualification in either mental health, housing, welfare advice, social work, health care
    • To have a full driving license and the use of a vehicle, subject to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995

    Desirable

    • Relevant additional training in the health and social care field including safeguarding, and quality practice developments.

    Personal Qualities

    Essential

    • Embraces change and drives continuous improvement.
    • Demonstrates a passion to further the charitable aims of the organisation and acts with integrity.
    • Provides a high standard of service and professionalism to those supported and worked with
    • Have an understanding of and be able to demonstrate a commitment to Equal Opportunities and Diversity.
    • Any other requirements to ensure effective delivery of the service, within reasonable expectations.
    Person Specification

    Skills & Abilities

    Essential

    • Knowledge and understanding of complex mental health needs.
    • Ability to facilitate, engage, motivate, and support individuals.
    • Ability to support & empower individuals to form their own decisions.
    • A motivational, flexible, and problem-solving approach.
    • Ability to work on own initiative, as well as in consultation and negotiation with managers and other stakeholders as required.
    • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
    • Flexibility to cope with the varying demands of the role, balancing face-to-face work with the need for accurate recording of support notes, and activity.

    Desirable

    • Confident in speaking in multi-disciplinary meetings & giving feedback to colleagues & local service providers.

    Knowledge & Understanding

    Essential

    • Be able to display an awareness, understanding and commitment to the protection and safeguarding of young people and vulnerable adults.

    Experience

    Essential

    • Minimum of two years experience delivering mental health and wellbeing interventions in a case management approach.
    • Experience of working with primary or secondary health/social care services
    • Experience of facilitating and supporting clients with complex and/or multiple barriers in getting the support they need.

    Qualifications

    Essential

    • Minimum level 3 qualification in either mental health, housing, welfare advice, social work, health care
    • To have a full driving license and the use of a vehicle, subject to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995

    Desirable

    • Relevant additional training in the health and social care field including safeguarding, and quality practice developments.

    Personal Qualities

    Essential

    • Embraces change and drives continuous improvement.
    • Demonstrates a passion to further the charitable aims of the organisation and acts with integrity.
    • Provides a high standard of service and professionalism to those supported and worked with
    • Have an understanding of and be able to demonstrate a commitment to Equal Opportunities and Diversity.
    • Any other requirements to ensure effective delivery of the service, within reasonable expectations.

    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.

    Employer details

    Employer name

    Porchlight

    Address

    Coleman House Mental Health Services

    Brookfield Avenue

    Dover

    Kent

    CT16 2AH


    Employer's website

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


    Employer details

    Employer name

    Porchlight

    Address

    Coleman House Mental Health Services

    Brookfield Avenue

    Dover

    Kent

    CT16 2AH


    Employer's website

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


    Employer contact details

    For questions about the job, contact:

    Service Manager-Mental Health

    Louise O'Donnell

    LouiseO'Donnell@porchlight.org.uk

    07881035827

    Details

    Date posted

    28 July 2025

    Pay scheme

    Other

    Salary

    £26,850 to £29,644 a year Rises to £29,644 after 5 years' service

    Contract

    Fixed term

    Duration

    8 months

    Working pattern

    Full-time, Flexible working

    Reference number

    B0347-25-0000

    Job locations

    Coleman House Mental Health Services

    Brookfield Avenue

    Dover

    Kent

    CT16 2AH


    Supporting documents

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