Job summary
NHS England recently announced a new transformation fund to
be allocated to pilot sites within 12 Sustainability and Transformation
Partnerships/ Integrated Care Systems across the country to test new and
integrated models of primary and community mental health care. Surrey
Heartlands Health and Care Partnership is one of these successful pilot sites.
Extended appointments with mental health experts from the
NHS, social care and specialist third sector organisations, plus access to
therapies, physical health checks and pharmacists, are just some of the wider
expertise patients will be able to access in their local GP practice and in the
community under new ways of working.
Patients will be able to explore the situation affecting
their wellbeing whether that is an ongoing mental or physical health problem,
loneliness, debt, or other issues. They can then be guided to appropriate
resources that may help, including talking therapies, benefits advice, or an
introduction to a local community group.
The role of the Community Connector is fundamental to the
development of these innovative new teams and mental health services based
within networks of GP Practices (Primary Care Networks - PCNs). The role will
support the ongoing development and mobilisation of integrated primary care
mental health services.
Main duties of the job
Providing a primary care mental health service within this context refers to:
- First level of intervention
- Ease of access
- A multidisciplinary approach working with a range of professionals across PCNs inclusive of GPs, Practice nurses, Mental Health Practitioners, Pharmacists and Clinical Psychologists
- Coordinating and supporting patients to access a wide range of community services and resources including social care, housing, family, debt and employment counselling that support maintaining good health and wellbeing
Overall, the primary care mental health service will:
- Be the first port of call for GPs in seeking support for managing their patients with mental health presentations
- Provide and promote early triage, assessment and formulation of need and care plans, to inform treatment and/or onward bridging to community resources
- Support and improve access to evidence based interventions for people with serious mental illness
- Helping people to focus on achievable goals and access local community resources
- Provide brief therapeutic interventions
- Support completion and delivery of actions identified in physical health checks for people with serious mental illness
About us
Catalyst Support, established in 1989, is a leading Surrey
charity dedicated to championing wellness across communities, transforming
lives by addressing mental, physical, and emotional health needs.
Guided by the belief that wellness is a right for all,
Catalyst Support embodies its motto, Supporting Wellness Together, by
empowering individuals and communities with innovative, accessible services.
With embedded values of kindness, integrity, and commitment, the charity
strives to create sustainable, transformative social impact.
Through strong partnerships, ethical governance, and
initiatives focused on environmental and financial sustainability, Catalyst
Support aligns its efforts with national health priorities, embracing the
opportunities to lead the way in integrated, preventive, and community-based
care.
Catalyst Support is an equal opportunities employer. We
celebrate difference and are committed to fairness, accessibility, and
inclusion throughout recruitment and employment.
We welcome requests for reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work jointly with the Mental Health Practitioner in conducting assessments, including risk assessment, and to work with patients to support them in identifying their socially determined needs and goals, provide self-management tools and facilitate the development of personal support plans
- To provide a range of motivational and structured psycho-social interventions
- To promote independence through an enabling asset based approach that draws on individuals strengths, preferences and natural support networks
- To establish effective working relationships with a range of agencies to facilitate a joined up approach to support plans
- To liaise with, develop and maintain good relations with GPs, practice managers and other health practitioners across mental health and physical health pathways and wider support networks
- To provide continuity throughout recovery; engaging the patient with key services such as Safe Havens, accessing CMHRS, and providing support for those engaged with and leaving CMHRS, and linking into local wellbeing services and activities
- To co-ordinate and support patients to access a range of community services such as wellbeing services, housing providers, family and carer support services, debt and employer advisors where appropriate
- To assist with community resource mapping exercises and maintain a database of community resources; map where there are gaps in provision across the PCN and wider geography and work with other VCS organisations to develop resources where most needed
- To promote and support (where necessary) advised follow up actions from physical health checks for people with serious mental illness
- To support patients to engage with local peer support workers and volunteering services
- To support and supervise any peer support workers linked to PCN
- To work with the service to identify opportunities to expand provision particularly in local communities where there is a lack of service provision identified
- To broker and establish new partnerships between public and voluntary sector agencies to enhance service delivery and access to services
- To develop and sustain professional relationships with service users, partner agencies and appropriate external agencies
- To complete locally agreed quality outcome measures, with patients and to undertake regular reviews
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work jointly with the Mental Health Practitioner in conducting assessments, including risk assessment, and to work with patients to support them in identifying their socially determined needs and goals, provide self-management tools and facilitate the development of personal support plans
- To provide a range of motivational and structured psycho-social interventions
- To promote independence through an enabling asset based approach that draws on individuals strengths, preferences and natural support networks
- To establish effective working relationships with a range of agencies to facilitate a joined up approach to support plans
- To liaise with, develop and maintain good relations with GPs, practice managers and other health practitioners across mental health and physical health pathways and wider support networks
- To provide continuity throughout recovery; engaging the patient with key services such as Safe Havens, accessing CMHRS, and providing support for those engaged with and leaving CMHRS, and linking into local wellbeing services and activities
- To co-ordinate and support patients to access a range of community services such as wellbeing services, housing providers, family and carer support services, debt and employer advisors where appropriate
- To assist with community resource mapping exercises and maintain a database of community resources; map where there are gaps in provision across the PCN and wider geography and work with other VCS organisations to develop resources where most needed
- To promote and support (where necessary) advised follow up actions from physical health checks for people with serious mental illness
- To support patients to engage with local peer support workers and volunteering services
- To support and supervise any peer support workers linked to PCN
- To work with the service to identify opportunities to expand provision particularly in local communities where there is a lack of service provision identified
- To broker and establish new partnerships between public and voluntary sector agencies to enhance service delivery and access to services
- To develop and sustain professional relationships with service users, partner agencies and appropriate external agencies
- To complete locally agreed quality outcome measures, with patients and to undertake regular reviews
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- A minimum of 2 years community experience of drug, alcohol, mental health work
Qualifications
Desirable
- A diploma or degree in appropriate subject i.e. counselling, psychology, social work, probation, mental health, Health and Social Care (level 3)
- If holding a professional qualification to maintain up-to-date professional registration i.e. BACP, HCP, BPS (or recognised equivalent)
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- An understanding and ability to work to the confidentiality, consent, information sharing and safeguarding policies of the integrated service
- Good communication and written skills and a commitment to accurate and confidential record keeping
- Ability to interact effectively with the client group, colleagues and other professionals whilst retaining clear boundaries
- Ability to break down stigma and barriers associated with working with the client group
- Demonstrate an understanding of the issues and needs of the client group
- Knowledge and understanding of community working, lone working, and ability to maintain safety whilst working in the community
- Ability to work to all the policies, procedures and standards of the Service and joint working arrangements with key partners
- A good understanding of personal limitations, ability to identify when to seek advice and support, and deal with issues which may provoke strong emotions in an objective and professional manner i.e. child protection
- Ability to manage any challenging behaviour, anger and verbal aggression from patients
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, use of email, Outlook, and basic excel skills
- Ability to enter data onto a database as required by the Service
- Ability to travel to and from a number of different locations on a daily basis
- Ability to work flexibly across operational hours and evenings and weekends, where required
- Ability to work co-operatively as part of a multidisciplinary team (statutory and voluntary) from a service hub
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- A minimum of 2 years community experience of drug, alcohol, mental health work
Qualifications
Desirable
- A diploma or degree in appropriate subject i.e. counselling, psychology, social work, probation, mental health, Health and Social Care (level 3)
- If holding a professional qualification to maintain up-to-date professional registration i.e. BACP, HCP, BPS (or recognised equivalent)
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- An understanding and ability to work to the confidentiality, consent, information sharing and safeguarding policies of the integrated service
- Good communication and written skills and a commitment to accurate and confidential record keeping
- Ability to interact effectively with the client group, colleagues and other professionals whilst retaining clear boundaries
- Ability to break down stigma and barriers associated with working with the client group
- Demonstrate an understanding of the issues and needs of the client group
- Knowledge and understanding of community working, lone working, and ability to maintain safety whilst working in the community
- Ability to work to all the policies, procedures and standards of the Service and joint working arrangements with key partners
- A good understanding of personal limitations, ability to identify when to seek advice and support, and deal with issues which may provoke strong emotions in an objective and professional manner i.e. child protection
- Ability to manage any challenging behaviour, anger and verbal aggression from patients
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, use of email, Outlook, and basic excel skills
- Ability to enter data onto a database as required by the Service
- Ability to travel to and from a number of different locations on a daily basis
- Ability to work flexibly across operational hours and evenings and weekends, where required
- Ability to work co-operatively as part of a multidisciplinary team (statutory and voluntary) from a service hub
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.
