Job summary
Are you looking to progress your career as a registered mental health professional or take up a new challenge that really makes a difference?
The Mental Health Employment Support Service is a dedicated team of mental health professionals, supporting people who want to work and are using Somerset NHS Foundation Trust mental health services.
Employment that suits an individual can be integral to their recovery. If you are keen to make a real difference in peoples lives, this could be the role for you.
The role is to provide and co-ordinate employment support services, using the evidence based Individual Placement and Support model (IPS), for service users who wish to gain, or retain open employment, focusing on the East Division (South Somerset, & Mendip). This post will work as part of a county-wide Mental Health Employment Service to provide specialist vocational assessment, planning and services, within Community Mental Health Teams in Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.
Main duties of the job
You will not need to be an Employment Specialist already because training in IPS and IPS Leadership will be provided.
You will:
Provide clinical supervision and leadership for a small group of 4 IPS colleagues.
Work closely with other IPS Clinical Lead(s) and the Employment Support Service Manager to ensure consistent leadership, management and strategic service development planning.
Work directly with a small agreed caseload of service users, providing vocational assessment, action planning, employer engagement, the assessment of work-related risk, development of collaborative risk management plans, worksite assessment and in work support.
Work closely with clinical colleagues, government agencies, such as Job Centre Plus, CAB, probation, local employers, NACRO and other partners to identify employment opportunities, and support the aspirations of service users with severe mental health issues who wish to work.
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
CLINICAL
To hold a small, agreed caseload of individuals and to deliver interventions demonstrating a high fidelity to the IPS Model, including individuals with forensic or other highly complex needs.
To identify the barriers to work and develop appropriate strategies to overcome these barriers for service users who wish to gain open employment, using medical and other relevant information related to their mental health issues.
To actively work with service users in the development of their action plan to achieve their employment objectives.
To plan and undertake a range of vocational assessments to assist service users to identify vocational goals based on their transferable skills, work readiness, aptitudes and job preferences.
To be able to sensitively deal with confidential and complex information regarding an individuals health, forensic and employment history.
To assist service users to explore the pros and cons of disclosure to employers, enabling them to make an informed decision about whether, and how much, to disclose.
To assess work related risk and develop risk management plans in collaboration with service users and other stakeholders as appropriate. To identify changed level of risk and mental state, distinguishing critical information that requires urgent action or rapid onward referral and documentation.
To carry out rapid job search and job development employer engagement with service users to identify suitable employment opportunities based on individual employment goals including job matching and job carving and providing information on training resources, labour market programs and career options.
ANALYTICS
To capture all relevant data on IPS intervention quality and outcomes and assist in meeting reporting responsibilities as required by the Trust, the Integrated Care Board, the Sustainability and Transformation Partnership, NHS England and IPS Grow.
To contribute to other data collection and analysis as required internally and externally, adhering to Trust information governance policy.
SUPERVISION, LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
To deliver specialized IPS clinical leadership, role modelling, and supervision relating to IPS interventions to a small IPS team across South Somerset and Mendip on an individual and group basis.
To ensure the IPS team deliver positive outcomes for service users and maintain high fidelity with the IPS model, including being responsive to meaningful service user and carer involvement, by monitoring and coaching individual and team performance.
To co-ordinate with other Band 6 Employment Specialists, in particular with the other IPS Clinical Lead(s), and the Employment Support Service Manager to provide consistent clinical leadership, supervision and management across the service.
To provide expertise, support and advice to the CMH Service colleagues in relation to vocational rehabilitation, the Individual Placement and Support model and the role of employment in recovery.
To take all necessary action to safeguard ones own and others safety and well-being whilst visiting, workplaces, partner agency premises or patients in the community. To advise Employment Service colleagues regarding safe working practices and risk management as a senior member of the Employment Support Service.
To take an active part in the supervision, training and assessment of students of ones own profession on clinical practice and negotiate with other employment specialists to co-ordinate student placements within the adult service.
To be involved with students of all professions, giving relevant theoretical tuition and practical guidance through sharing opportunities for vocational interventions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
CLINICAL
To hold a small, agreed caseload of individuals and to deliver interventions demonstrating a high fidelity to the IPS Model, including individuals with forensic or other highly complex needs.
To identify the barriers to work and develop appropriate strategies to overcome these barriers for service users who wish to gain open employment, using medical and other relevant information related to their mental health issues.
To actively work with service users in the development of their action plan to achieve their employment objectives.
To plan and undertake a range of vocational assessments to assist service users to identify vocational goals based on their transferable skills, work readiness, aptitudes and job preferences.
To be able to sensitively deal with confidential and complex information regarding an individuals health, forensic and employment history.
To assist service users to explore the pros and cons of disclosure to employers, enabling them to make an informed decision about whether, and how much, to disclose.
To assess work related risk and develop risk management plans in collaboration with service users and other stakeholders as appropriate. To identify changed level of risk and mental state, distinguishing critical information that requires urgent action or rapid onward referral and documentation.
To carry out rapid job search and job development employer engagement with service users to identify suitable employment opportunities based on individual employment goals including job matching and job carving and providing information on training resources, labour market programs and career options.
ANALYTICS
To capture all relevant data on IPS intervention quality and outcomes and assist in meeting reporting responsibilities as required by the Trust, the Integrated Care Board, the Sustainability and Transformation Partnership, NHS England and IPS Grow.
To contribute to other data collection and analysis as required internally and externally, adhering to Trust information governance policy.
SUPERVISION, LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
To deliver specialized IPS clinical leadership, role modelling, and supervision relating to IPS interventions to a small IPS team across South Somerset and Mendip on an individual and group basis.
To ensure the IPS team deliver positive outcomes for service users and maintain high fidelity with the IPS model, including being responsive to meaningful service user and carer involvement, by monitoring and coaching individual and team performance.
To co-ordinate with other Band 6 Employment Specialists, in particular with the other IPS Clinical Lead(s), and the Employment Support Service Manager to provide consistent clinical leadership, supervision and management across the service.
To provide expertise, support and advice to the CMH Service colleagues in relation to vocational rehabilitation, the Individual Placement and Support model and the role of employment in recovery.
To take all necessary action to safeguard ones own and others safety and well-being whilst visiting, workplaces, partner agency premises or patients in the community. To advise Employment Service colleagues regarding safe working practices and risk management as a senior member of the Employment Support Service.
To take an active part in the supervision, training and assessment of students of ones own profession on clinical practice and negotiate with other employment specialists to co-ordinate student placements within the adult service.
To be involved with students of all professions, giving relevant theoretical tuition and practical guidance through sharing opportunities for vocational interventions.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A degree or equivalent in social work, occupational therapy, psychiatric nursing or psychology
- Professional registration to practice in the UK
Desirable
- Masters degree in a relevant field
- IPS Training
Experience
Essential
- Working with people with severe and enduring mental health issues in a band 5 role
- Working closely with a range of service providers
Desirable
- Working with people with severe and enduring mental health issues in a band 6 role
- IPS or other employment specialist experience
- Forensic mental health experience
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner
- Able to work effectively with service users and employers and advocate for employment opportunities for people with mental health issues
- Able to use and learn to use various software applications
- Mental Health risk assessment and management experience
- Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, service users, carers and relatives (as appropriate) remaining sensitive and empathetic
- High standard of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet
- Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team
- Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the county, to meet the needs of the service
- Resourceful with ability to problem solve
Desirable
- Vocational assessment experience
- Ability to carry out worksite assessment
- Graded return to work or in work support planning
- Cognitive assessment experience
- Physical capacity / functional assessment experience
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A degree or equivalent in social work, occupational therapy, psychiatric nursing or psychology
- Professional registration to practice in the UK
Desirable
- Masters degree in a relevant field
- IPS Training
Experience
Essential
- Working with people with severe and enduring mental health issues in a band 5 role
- Working closely with a range of service providers
Desirable
- Working with people with severe and enduring mental health issues in a band 6 role
- IPS or other employment specialist experience
- Forensic mental health experience
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner
- Able to work effectively with service users and employers and advocate for employment opportunities for people with mental health issues
- Able to use and learn to use various software applications
- Mental Health risk assessment and management experience
- Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, service users, carers and relatives (as appropriate) remaining sensitive and empathetic
- High standard of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet
- Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team
- Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the county, to meet the needs of the service
- Resourceful with ability to problem solve
Desirable
- Vocational assessment experience
- Ability to carry out worksite assessment
- Graded return to work or in work support planning
- Cognitive assessment experience
- Physical capacity / functional assessment experience
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
