TITLE – MAP Health Navigator

GRADE – 22K
37 HOURS PER WEEK
BASED AT – St Margaret’s Scotswood, Newcastle /
Changing Lives Mission
Changing Livesis a national, registered charity which provides specialist support for thousands of vulnerable people and their families, every month. Through our pioneering and innovative work we support people to make positive, lasting changes in their lives.
The role will contribute to the development of Changing Lives to help more people to change their lives together.
Job Role
Changing lives is one of twelve organisations to be awarded funding from the National HIV Prevention Innovation Fund, which is funded by the allocation from the Department of Health to Public Health England for HIV prevention and sexual health promotion.
The Male Action Project (MAP) Health Navigator will support men who have experience of sex work, sexual exploitation, or ‘survival sex’ in Tyne and Wear. The keyfocusof the role is to support men to access mainstream sexual health provision and to improve confidence redisclosures of sex work to ensure the best support is available, and to encourage men to continue accessing sexual health independently.
Job Responsibilities
  • The post holder will deliver an assertive outreach model in each of the three local authority areas (Gateshead, North Tyneside and Sunderland).
  • Lead and organise night outreach sessions which will be delivered on a monthly basis, working one late night a month is an expectation for this role.
  • The post holder will be expected to set up bi-weekly drop-in clinics in each of the local authority areas in services such as needle exchange and homeless day centres.
  • To work in close partnership with sexual health specialists to offer opportunities for men to learn and increase awareness about HIV and sexually transmitted infections using creative, informal educational sessions.
  • To work in close partnership with sexual health services and sexual health specialists to establish key pathways into services, for men who might usually avoid this type of support/intervention.
  • The post holder will support men though our ‘theory of change’ (Being, Becoming and Belonging) model using stage one only (Being) with an expectation that men will be referred onto MAP Development Workers for stage two and three intervention/support.
  • The post holder will sit on sexual health partnership meetings.
  • Support the Service Manager and Senior Practitioner at other external meetings and events.
  • Present at various events and meetings to promote the service.
  • Gather research from all of the men engaged with service for evaluation purposes.
  • Ensure data is accurate and up to date both paper files and electronically.
  • Draft regular reports for management and funders.
  • To promote the project through external team meetings and presentations. Develop and maintain good working relationships with key organisations, this includes developing new referral pathways.
  • Maintain in depth and up-to-date knowledge of all Changing Lives practices and policies, including all safeguarding adult processes.

Person Specification

Criteria / Essential
Requirements necessary for safe and effective performance in the job / Desirable
Where available, elements that contribute to improved / immediate performance in the job
Qualifications / Safeguarding adults and children Level 1 / Health and Social Care qualification
Safeguarding Adults and Children Level 2
A recognised qualification in health and social care, and/or sexual health.
Experience / Experience of working with men who present with multiple and complex needs.
Experience of working with individuals who are socially excluded
Experience of working in an environment that requires confidentiality
Has a good understanding of the stigma exposed to men who exchange sex and the impact this can have.
Has experience of engaging with ‘hidden’ or hard to reach groups of people and can use an assertive outreach approach.
Understands the importance of language and definitions in order to develop positive relationships with men.
Has experience of developing new partnerships with organisations and can establish pathways for referrals and developmental work.
Experience of working to set administrative guidelines / Experience of working with men involved in sex work, survival sex or those vulnerable to sexual exploitation
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities / Ability to provide advice and guidance
Excellent knowledge in sexual health awareness (including HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Understands risks regarding unprotected sex and unsafe injecting, and is able to provide good harm reduction advice/strategies to support people.
Delivering training and public speaking
Ability to communicate with senior professionals from the voluntary and statutory sector.
Ability to develop and influence others
Ability to use Microsoft Office packages / Knowledge of the causes and effects related to homelessness and substance misuse.
Knowledge of adult and child protection/safeguarding procedures.
Ability to talk about men who have sex with men in multiagency forums to ensure the voices of the client group are heard.
Personal Attributes / Commitment to the values of Changing Lives
Commitment to detail, ensuring all work is accurate, concise and understandable
Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Understanding of how to work within professional boundaries
Willing to work in cooperation with team members
Willing to work flexibly within their role
Driving is essential for the post given the geography and the need for assertive outreach.

Client Lead