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Job summary

Main area
Keyworking Programme
Grade
Band 5
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
371-CFS370-A
Employer
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Keyworking Programme , Erlegh House, University of Reading , Earley Gate
Town
Reading
Salary
£31,469 - £38,308 per annum ( Incl of HCAS)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
06/11/2024 23:59
Interview date
19/11/2024

Employer heading

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust logo

Community Link Worker – Keyworking Programme

Band 5

Job overview

Interview will be held on 19th Nov 2024

The Keyworking Programme is an exciting initiative that will transform the support mechanisms for individuals aged 0-25 with a learning disability, autism or both at risk of psychiatric inpatient admission. 

The service works alongside CAMHS/CMHT’s and developed as a community multi-disciplinary model which offers easy accessibility for identified families and carers. The service model was developed in close consultation with families, carers and young people and they are at the heart of its implementation and development.   

A Community Link Worker will work with individuals with the most complex needs and their families to make sure they have the support they need at the right time, in a co-ordinated way. The Keyworking Programme should help families experience a reduction in stress and uncertainty and an increase in stability. They will work in the most challenging circumstances with individuals with complex needs and where there is the highest level of risk. 

The post holder will be a dynamic, innovative professional who will support individuals and families under acute stress to make positive lifestyle changes.   

Main duties of the job

 

  • Accelerate discharge from a mental health unit/hospital. 

  • Reduce likelihood of relapse and readmission to a mental health unit/hospital. 

  • Increase access to community services, employment, education, and training opportunities and support the individual to make positive lifestyle changes.  

  • Ensure introductions to community services are facilitated/supported to increase likelihood of engagement. 

  • Increase awareness of and strengthen the individuals personal support networks, reducing reliance on professional support networks.  

  • Increase the individuals confidence using strategies to identify and manage mental health and well-being challenges as they arise or be confident to seek support at the earliest opportunity.  

Working for our organisation

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. 

We value diversity and are proud to be a Stonewall Top 100 Employer. We work hard to create an inclusive environment where you’ll be supported by friendly and professional colleagues to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare:

  • Caring for and about you is our top priority
  • Committed to providing good quality, safe services
  • Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

We welcome people who share these values to come and work for us.

Benefits of working for us include:

  • Flexible working options to support work-life balance
  • 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
  • Generous NHS pension scheme
  • Excellent learning and career development opportunities
  • ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
  • Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
  • Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
  • Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
  • Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
  • Free parking across Trust sites

If you share our values and would like to come and work for us, please submit your application as soon as possible as we'll occasionally close roles early that have a high number of applications.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The “must haves” for this role: 

  1. Professional qualification equivalent to degree level in a relevant subject, or equivalent level of experience of children and young people with learning disabilities, autism or gained both through lived experience, education, youth work, health or social care. Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development. 

  1. Experience of supporting young people, their families and carers in a related role (can be unpaid work) including lived experience. 

  1. Experience of supporting young people with additional needs / mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity. 

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.   

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted. 

We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.   

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Emma Mapes on 01189 042 600, Email: Emma.M[email protected] who’ll be delighted to help. 

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible. 

Person specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential criteria
  • Professional qualification equivalent to degree level in a relevant subject, or equivalent level of experience of children and young people with learning disabilities, autism or gained both through lived experience, education, youth work, health or social care.
  • Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent experience

Continuous Professional Development

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development.

Previous Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of supporting young people, their families and carers in a related role (can be unpaid work) including lived experience.
  • Experience of supporting young people with additional needs / mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity.
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations
  • Experience of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) led approaches/or a Solution Focused approach.
  • Experience of therapeutic approaches to support higher level mental health needs such as eating disorders or substance misuse.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of a wide range of health and care provision such as specialist hospitals and community services.
  • Excellent oral and written communication and influencing skills, with the ability to negotiate with others
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
  • Able to receive and convey sensitive information.
  • Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands.
  • Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales.
  • Needs to have a thorough understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships in terms of day-to-day working practices.
  • Understanding of a trauma informed approach.
  • Good IT skills using email, and Microsoft apps, including Word, Excel and MS Teams.
  • Awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to seek advice/liaise with other health professionals/agencies.

Additional Requirements

Essential criteria
  • Must be a car user with a full driving licence.
  • Willing to engage with and learn from peers, other professionals and colleagues in the desire to provide or support the most appropriate interventions.
  • Professional calm and efficient manner.
  • Good timekeeping.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoDisability confident employerCarer confident logo, the employers for carers confident schemeCare quality commission - OutstandingStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Armed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Emma Mapes
Job title
Care Navigator Team Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01189042 600
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