JOB DESCRIPTION

Position:Support Worker – Bridging the Gap for Young People

Reporting to:Project Manager – Bridging the Gap for Young People

Area:To cover North Taunton – Travel claims can be made

Project:This will be a 6-month pilot project of 8 hours a week

Mainly responsible to the Project Manager:

  • To provide support, independent advocacy and guidance to young people aged 13 – 17 with mental health issues, in North Taunton, with a wide range of issues
  • Each client will be allocated 3 hrs of face-to-face time, which will be divided as agreed by the client and the support worker into sessions
  • To carry out initial assessments for clients referred to the service by the North TauntonOne Team, as well as reviews and closures as necessary
  • To refer clients on to (with the client’s permission) appropriate agencies and servicese.g. Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support, Somerset Drugs and Alcohol Service
  • To adhere to the organisational policies and procedures within Mind TWS
  • To adhere to the A4A Advocacy Charter, and keep up to date with all relevant advocacy legislation and good practiseand promote the principles of advocacy and mental health awareness

There may be other duties required of the post holder from time to time at the direction of the Project Manager and CEO.

Person Specification (Essential or Desirable, requiring additional training)

  1. Qualifications:
  • Driving license and access to a car (E)
  • Have lived or working experience of mental illness (E)
  • Previous experience of working with young people (E)
  1. Skills:
  • Good communication skills (E)
  • Basic computer skills i.e. Outlook, Word, Excel, Internet, Email (D)
  • Ability to maintain accurate client recordsas necessary with due regard to securityand in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act (E)
  • Good organisational and time management skills (E)
  • Confidence to liaise with a range of different organisations and individuals (E)
  • Ability to maintain professional boundaries (E)
  1. Knowledge and understanding:
  • Overall knowledge of mental health and advocacy legislation (E)
  • Awareness of relevant local and national services (D)
  • Confidentiality (E)
  • Equality and diversity issues (D)
  • Safeguarding and Child Protection (E)
  1. Personal qualities:
  • Ability to work as part of a team, as well as on your own (E)
  • Insight into how your own views, beliefs and experience can affect your relationships and interactions with service-users, staff and volunteers (E)
  • Commitment to working towards equality and inclusion (D)
  1. Other:
  • Belief that people who experience mental health issues and emotional distress have the right to be treated with respect, have equal access to services and opportunities in the community, and control over their care and treatment (E)
  • Commitment to continuingpersonal development, including supervision, appraisal, and training (E)

Package

Salary: £2,087.13for the six month period (equivalent to £19,306 pro rata) i.e. £10.00 per hour

Annual Leave: 28 days per annum pro rataincluding Bank Holidays

Standard week: 8hours per week

Hours required: 8hours per week during the 6 month period

Core working hours: 8 hours per week (with some flexibility) to cover working hours as required to deliver the service

The post is subject to a 3 and 6 monthly review process external to any supervision that is undertaken. Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory DBS check

Pension scheme: Employers contribution 3.5%