Job summary
As part of a joint initiative between the Probation Service and NHS England, we are looking for a passionate and empathetic Engagement Worker to join our Forensic Mental Health Service.
We believe in the power of engagement and community to foster positive change and help individuals reintegrate into society.
Your role will be to support those who are deemed 'hard-to-engage' to access and utilise a range of community services in order to improve their mental health and reduce the risk of re-offending.
Main duties of the job
Working within the 'Reach' service, which is part of the Integrated Intervention Risk Management Service (IIRMS) and Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) pathway, you'll work with offenders who have been referred to the Service and are resettling into the community following imprisonment or whilst on Community Order.
In this role, you will play a pivotal role in building trusting relationships with individuals involved in the criminal justice system, providing support, guidance, and access to resources to facilitate their rehabilitation and successful reintegration into the community.
All work will be supported by the 'Reach' IIRMS & OPD staff, be fully risk assessed and managed with procedures in place for lone working.
About us
As an organisation, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust offers employees a wide range of benefits including flexible working, NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance and a commitment to career development.
You will be eligible for our Blue Light Card and a wide range of NHS exclusive shopping & leisure discounts.
We are proud of our skilled, diverse workforce and as an inclusive employer we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Working in Somerset enables you to enjoy the idyllic countryside, areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.
There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable.
Somerset offers the countryside and the cosmopolitan - there is truly something for everyone!
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more detail about the position.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more detail about the position.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- oMinimum Level 5 health related Qualification which may include, Higher National Certificate NVQ level 4 or 5 Foundation degree, Higher National Diploma, Diploma in Higher Education
Desirable
- Evidence of continued learning
- Psychology degree
Knowledge
Essential
- To have knowledge and experience of a wide range of health and social care community resources
- Ability to work proactively alongside people to help meet identified goals and needs.
- Experience of working autonomously and managing an individual caseload.
- Experience of working with people who are difficult to engage
- How to deal sensitively with distress, disturbance and unpredictability
- Risk assessment and management skills
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with drug and alcohol problems
- Experience of working with people who have had contact with the Criminal Justice Service
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- oMinimum Level 5 health related Qualification which may include, Higher National Certificate NVQ level 4 or 5 Foundation degree, Higher National Diploma, Diploma in Higher Education
Desirable
- Evidence of continued learning
- Psychology degree
Knowledge
Essential
- To have knowledge and experience of a wide range of health and social care community resources
- Ability to work proactively alongside people to help meet identified goals and needs.
- Experience of working autonomously and managing an individual caseload.
- Experience of working with people who are difficult to engage
- How to deal sensitively with distress, disturbance and unpredictability
- Risk assessment and management skills
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with drug and alcohol problems
- Experience of working with people who have had contact with the Criminal Justice Service
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
