Employment Advisor

Job responsibilities

• Managing a complex active caseload of 40 to 50 people who have experienced mental health problems and who wish to gain, retain, or return to employment.

• Working with clinical teams and MHM staff to identify the best outcomes for clients.

• Focussing on the aspirations of the client to keep or obtain good employment, considering their strengths, difficulties, and barriers.

• Assessing a clients employment goals and any concerns regarding their capacity for work, their confidence to perform tasks and any factors that may be issues for employment. This is to be achieved by using evidence-based interventions supporting the individual to develop strategies to address them.

• Advocating on behalf of the person with current and prospective employers if necessary, aiming to identify work solutions that will overcome or minimise difficulties within the workplace.

• Working with employers to raise their awareness of mental health issues including the effects poor mental health has on absenteeism, presentism and leaveism.

• Developing indepth knowledge of the local labour market, local support and new initiatives, taking into account the needs of the client to broker effective interventions. Including specialist schemes to help with retaining or finding employment.

• Working closely with local agencies to identify appropriate job vacancies

• Where appropriate providing help that will empower a client to find the right job and provide advice and support on training and also how to prepare for employer interviews

• Appropriate signposting of the person to other agencies who will be able to provide advice on other benefits/support the person may be entitled too.

• Providing continued personalised support after an individual has returned to work or secured employment to help them to sustain employment.

• Referring the person to other support if they have particularly complex barriers.

• Developing and maintaining the integration of mental health treatment and employment support by establishing effective liaison of NHS Talking Therpies employment support services and other health and social care services.

• Networking in the community to promote the service and MHM, build effective relationships and partnerships and advocating the reduction of the stigma of poor mental health.

• The post holder will be required to accurately maintain records. Requiring them to enter clear, accurate and detailed notes about service user interactions via NHS digital CRM platforms Ensuring confidentiality and GDPR principles are always followed. And complete all necessary paperwork including questionnaires, reports and minutes for each interaction.

• Collection and report of data to support service performance and evaluation

• Reporting any progress, change or adverse event promptly to a senior EA.

• To proactively contribute to continuously improving the service by making positive suggestions, providing constructive feedback and assisting in the implementation of agreed new ways of working.

• Willing to study for all Role Relevant Qualifications as requested by commissioner or funders.

• Engaging with regular case management with Senior Employment Advisor

All employees have a responsibility to undertake training and development as required. They also have a responsibility to assist, where appropriate and necessary, with the training and development of fellow employees.

All employees have a responsibility of care for their own and others health and safety.

This job description is not exhaustive and is subject to continuous change, in consultation with the post holder.

Please note this job description gives a statement of the general purpose of the job and provides an outline of the duties and responsibilities involved. This does not constitute a contract of employment.

This section is required for all roles

Core Competencies

These will include being able to demonstrate knowledge of:

How to be non-judgemental

How to promote anti-discriminatory practice

How to maintain confidentiality

How to promote equality and diversity

How to engender empowerment and well-being

How to promote equal opportunities

How to ensure service users are treated with dignity and respect as part of ethical practice

General

1. To actively promote a positive image of Mental Health Matters.

1. To actively promote mental health issues positively

1. To ensure good communications both within Mental Health Matters and external agencies.

1. To attend all supervision sessions or notified meetings where relevant.

1. To attend all mandatory training sessions.

1. To contribute to the development of best practice within the service.

1. To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to Mental Health and Primary Care Services.

1. All employees have a responsibility and a legal obligation to ensure that information processed for both patients and staff is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with the Data Protection Act (1998) and Security and Confidentiality Policies.

1. It is the responsibility of all staff that they do not abuse their official position for personal gain, to seek advantage of further private business or other interests in the course of their official duties.

1. To promote and implement MHMsEquality Policy in all aspects ofemployment and service delivery.

1. To maintain the confidentiality of all electronically stored personal data in line with the provision of the Data Protection Act.

Finance

1. To ensure that all authorisation procedures are adhered to in line with Mental Health Matters finance authorisation procedures.

1. To ensure the flow of relevant information to the Finance Department.

Communication & administration:

1. To keep all relevant records and information pertaining to area of responsibility and report information, where necessary your line manager, whilst working within the agreed administration procedures.

1. Ensure that your line manager is fully informed of any issues, which may effect the quality of service provision.

1. To attend all relevant meetings both internally and externally.

1. To provide reports as and when required.

Risk Assessment

1. Must follow all risk assessments plans

1. Must report any area of risk and/or changes or concerns

1. Must review and update all risk assessments

1. Must carry out risk assessments for your caseload and have these verified/authorised by your line manager.

1. Must liaise with third parties regarding risk and risk assessments.

Guardian 24

1. You must register with Guardian 24 and use in every lone working situation

1. You must report immediately any faults, problems or concerns regarding G24 to your line manager.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of building and maintaining professional relationships.
• Experience of effectively managing and prioritizing caseloads
• Experience of providing vocational/employment support
• Experience of working within a multi disciplinary team
• Proven experience of delivering in a results-based environment
• Experience of working with people who have experienced mental health issues
• Experience of assessing, planning and facilitating activities that focus on recovery and vocational skills

Desirable

• Experience of providing vocational/employment support to people with mental health conditions.
• Understanding of the employment barriers and difficulties faced by people with mental health conditions
• Experience of delivering group activities.
• Experience in counselling

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 3 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject (e.g. IAG, Coaching, Counselling, Employment Law, Social Care)

Desirable

• Evidence of further study in vocational training, careers advice and job retention.
• Multiple relevant qualifications.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Organisational skills.
• Ability to be flexible, open and creative in problem solving.
• Awareness of the needs of people with mental health conditions. The issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health.
• IT skills including Microsoft office software (outlook, word)
• Ability to adapt activities to be appropriate for the needs of an individual client.
• Ability to conduct vocational assessments and client profiling

Desirable

• Ability to negotiate with employers on behalf of service users.
• Working knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledge of employment law and the principles of the Equality Act 2010 and how it relates to employment Rights.
• Knowledge of evidence based interventions to support people with common mental health problems remain in, return to & gain work
• Enhanced IT skills including Excel and PowerPoint
• Knowledge of employment and disability related benefits.
• Knowledge of GDPR principles
• Ability to collect and report data to support service performance and evaluation.
• Research skills.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• A caring, responsible and positive approach.
• Reliable, trustworthy and enthusiastic.
• Motivated and innovative.
• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships.
• Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality.
• Willing and able to undertake the relevant training associated with the role.
• Able to integrate training into practice

Desirable

• Full clean driving licence and access to a car
• Willingness to travel to other locations throughout the organisation.

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).