LD/HR/EA01, 2013

Imagine

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: VOCATIONAL ADVISOR

Responsible to: TEAM LEADER

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  1. JOB SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Team Leader, to manage a caseload of people who have experienced mental ill health and who wish to gain employment or volunteering as a pathway towards work.

To work directly with employers to secure employment and volunteering opportunities for clients and subsequently to provide ongoing support according to both the employee’s and the employer’s needs. The aim of the service is to enable people who have experienced mental ill health to gain and retain employment.

  1. LOCATION

The post holder will be mainly based within Sutton office, may work across other sites.

  1. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

The post has no direct supervisory responsibilities but there is a duty upon all employees to be aware of appropriate service standards and to report any breach of such standards to someone in authority.

  1. MAIN DUTIES under the guidance of the Team Leader

Responsibilities to clients

  • The Vocational Advisor will provide individualised vocational support to clients on their pathway to obtaining / retaining work and volunteering
  • To support clients in order to facilitate the recovery process through paid employment, work related opportunities in line with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model for Supported Employment.
  • To liaise closely with CMHT's, EIT's, JCPs and GPs as a vocational specialist, working with the care co-ordinators and being responsible for those clients who want to move into employment or volunteering.
  • To actively engage in job searching with and on behalf of the client, empowering the client
  • To assess a clients work related support needs and draw up a targeted support plan with the client.
  • To prepare clients for employment by assessing their specific employment needs through vocational profiling and motivating them to see their potential in employment
  • To prepare individuals for employment by supporting with cv, applications, interview prep and any associated travel, financial assistance.
  • To provide personalised ongoing support to clients once they have secured employment to assist them in sustaining that employment.

Working with Employers and Employment Agencies

  • To provide education and training to employers, as agreed with the client. This may include negotiating reasonable adjustments and maintaining ongoing contact with the employer to ensure job retention.
  • To build partnerships with a range of established employment agencies, attend employment forums and link with post holders within statutory services who have a vocational lead.
  • To raise awareness of mental health issues with employers and vocational agencies.
  • To pro-actively engage and work with employers to open up secure employment and volunteering opportunities for people who have experienced mental ill health.

Partnership Working

  • To develop close partnership working with referral agencies in both primary and secondary care services.
  • To develop effective working relationships with relevant agencies such as Job Centre Plus, Citizens Advice Bureau, Department of Work and Pensions.
  • To ensure effective communication takes place with clinicians working within primary and secondary care services and ensure working protocols are in place regarding assessments / referrals / reviewing of clients
  1. REQUIREMENTS

All employees are expected to:

  • Act with integrity at all times.
  • Ensure that principles of quality are included into all areas of work.
  • Always be responsive to customer priorities.
  • Demonstrate working within the organisations objectives and commitment to continuous personal learning and development.
  • Comply with all health and safety and any other statutory regulatory requirements.
  • Undertake any other tasks, which may be requested from time to time by the organisation.
  • Safeguard all organisation property, confidential information or privileged knowledge relating to work.

6. TRAINING and DEVELOPMENT

  • To participate fully in training and development
  • Attend and participate in supervision sessions and an annual personal review
  • Attend and participate in staff meetings
  • To contribute to the learning of other staff

7. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Imagine aims to provide high quality services to enhance the quality of life of people experiencing disadvantage. In order to fulfill this aim it operates a policy of equal opportunities to ensure that no service user, job applicant, employee, voluntary worker or carer is discriminated against either directly or indirectly on the grounds of gender, age, race, colour, sexuality, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origin, disability or marital status.

8. CONFIDENTIALITY

In the course of your duties you may have access to confidential information about individuals or about Company business. Under no circumstances must this information be communicated to anyone other than the authorised persons. These may include medical or other professional staff who are involved in the care and treatment of the person. If in doubt refer to the Line Manager

  1. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Success in this role will be judged by the following key performance indicators:

  • Meeting targets and objectives as set by line manager.
  • Working within a team approach.
  • Demonstrable achievement in working towards organisational objectives.
  • The ability to work in a person centred and flexible way.
  • Proactive professional manner.
  • All duties and tasks are undertaken and performed in an efficient accurate manner resulting in excellent service provision.

Please note that this job profile may be amended to meet the needs of the service and does not preclude other tasks as directed by the team leader. Alteration will be discussed in advance with the post holder whose agreement will not be unreasonably withheld.The job description does not form part of your contract of employment.