Job summary
If you are looking for a new challenge and are passionate about health inequalities, look no further. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 4 Health and Wellbeing Community Connector to join our award-winning Health Inequalities team in Brent.
You will be from Brent or have very close connections to Brent and want to make a difference in the life of children and young people from the global majority to reduce heath inequalities experience by these population. You will have a good understanding of the barriers and issues affecting people from the global majority who do not access healthcare in the early stages.
Applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.
Main duties of the job
You will scope the needs, and service gaps faced by this group and together develop strategies to address these. You will actively engage with and work with these communities, faith and community leaders, statutory and voluntary sector partners to reduce these inequalities. You will also link in voluntary sector organisations and the local public health team to deliver preventative mental health and wellbeing support to children and young people.
A substantial part of your working time will be spent conducting outreach in most affected by the impact of Covid-19 and wider health inequalities. Working closely with communities in identifying health and wellbeing needs and supporting the development of services in response to those needs. Part of your role will be seeking the community voice; recognising and addressing concerns about the physical health and mental needs of children and young people. Advising the community on prevention of illness and uptake of preventative measures with focus on choice, self-management and social inclusion. You will possess good communications skills with excellent interpersonal skills, ability to listen to others' views, respect and value individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds.
About us
Brent Community Mental Health Teams is an established service with a friendly, supportive culture. There is a visible and supportive management team and a strong emphasis on training and professional development opportunities. Support to prepare candidates for interview will be provided. Brent is a place of contrast and a destination for thousands of British and international visitors every year. Home of the iconic Wembley Stadium, the world-famous Wembley Arena, the new London Designer Outlet and the spectacular Swaminarayan Hindu Temple, it provides a stage for cultural, sporting and religious events of national and international importance. The team serves the diverse and vibrant population of Brent, named London Borough of Culture 2020 and most recently 'Council of the Year' at the LGC Awards 2020. The team has been nominated for six awards and won four of these since 2021.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will have a good understanding of the barriers and issues affecting children and young people and work closely with organisations and services that support or work with children and young people, their family, carers and schools. You will scope the needs, and service gaps faced by this group and together develop strategies to address these.
You will also link in voluntary sector organisations and the local public health team to deliver preventative mental health and wellbeing support to children and young people.
They will also signpost to the appropriate services that can meet the needs of CYP. Together with CYP, organisations working with them, schools, parents, family and carers co-design workshops, interventions and come up with solutions to support the wellbeing of CYP in Brent. Working with them to develop workshops and sessions that address their needs to further support the development of culturally sensitive offers and improve accessibility of existing offers. The community connectors will also work to ensure that learning from the communities is embedded and supports changes in the core offer and become key links between services and communities.
A substantial part of your working time will be spent conducting outreach in most affected by the impact of Covid-19 and wider health inequalities. Working closely with communities in identifying health and wellbeing needs and supporting the development of services in response to those needs. Part of your role will be seeking the community voice; recognising and addressing concerns about the physical health and mental needs of children and young people.
Advising the community on prevention of illness and uptake of preventative measures with focus on choice, self-management and social inclusion.
You will possess good communications skills with excellent interpersonal skills, ability to listen to others views, respect and value individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will have a good understanding of the barriers and issues affecting children and young people and work closely with organisations and services that support or work with children and young people, their family, carers and schools. You will scope the needs, and service gaps faced by this group and together develop strategies to address these.
You will also link in voluntary sector organisations and the local public health team to deliver preventative mental health and wellbeing support to children and young people.
They will also signpost to the appropriate services that can meet the needs of CYP. Together with CYP, organisations working with them, schools, parents, family and carers co-design workshops, interventions and come up with solutions to support the wellbeing of CYP in Brent. Working with them to develop workshops and sessions that address their needs to further support the development of culturally sensitive offers and improve accessibility of existing offers. The community connectors will also work to ensure that learning from the communities is embedded and supports changes in the core offer and become key links between services and communities.
A substantial part of your working time will be spent conducting outreach in most affected by the impact of Covid-19 and wider health inequalities. Working closely with communities in identifying health and wellbeing needs and supporting the development of services in response to those needs. Part of your role will be seeking the community voice; recognising and addressing concerns about the physical health and mental needs of children and young people.
Advising the community on prevention of illness and uptake of preventative measures with focus on choice, self-management and social inclusion.
You will possess good communications skills with excellent interpersonal skills, ability to listen to others views, respect and value individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Person Specification
Training and Qualification
Essential
- Relevant Level 3 NVQ or Equivalent. National Certificate in Literacy / ESOL Level 2 or equivalent experience or the ability to work towards one.
- Able to show practical experience of working with local communities and individuals
Desirable
- A relevant level 3 qualification or above
Experience
Essential
- Experience or knowledge of working with/supporting adults, children and young people with a history of traumatic experiences
- Experience or knowledge of working with vulnerable people and/or communities and those experiencing loss, bereavement and mental health difficulties
- Good understanding of barriers and issues experienced by children and young people from the Global majority.
- Experience or knowledge of community liaison working within diverse communities including with people from the Global majority.
Desirable
- Live, study or have worked in the Brent or similar community environment
- Experience of work with people that might not access traditional mental health clinics/ settings
- Ability to work unsupervised, and efficiency in prioritising their workload.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Able to communicate with a wide range of people from different backgrounds and disciplines.
- Empowering and working in partnership with the people using our services.
- Able to show compassion and sensitivity when working with people who experience trauma, loss and health and wellbeing needs.
- Ability to share information with team and stakeholders effectively. This includes verbal and written communication.
- Maintaining accurate, timely, concise and legible records which adhere to the CNWL policies
- Knowledge and SkillsCommunication: Able to communicate with a wide range of people from different backgrounds and disciplines. Empowering and working in partnership with the people using our services. Able to show compassion and sensitivity when working with people who experience trauma, loss and health and wellbeing needs. Ability to share information with team and stakeholders effectively. This includes verbal and written communication. Record keeping: Maintaining accurate, timely, concise and legible records which adhere to the CNWL policies. Able to talk to people about sensitive issues in a supportive manner but also assertively where necessary IT Skills: Able to use Microsoft packages to keep records and write reports or ability to learn Able to maintain electronic patient records if required.
- Able to use Microsoft packages to keep records and write reports or ability to learn
- Able to maintain electronic patient records if required.
Desirable
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to use Excel and PowerPoint.
Personal
Essential
- Currently lives, studies or works in Brent and has a strong association with these areas.
- Able to build rapport with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
- Ability to support individuals presenting with challenging needs and vulnerability.
- Able to show compassion and the emotional resilience to manage difficult and upsetting conversations where necessary.
Desirable
- Experience of working with diverse community groups.
- Experience of work with people that might not access traditional mental health clinics/ settings
- Experience of work with people that might not access traditional mental health clinics/ settings
- Ability to work unsupervised, and in prioritising a workload.
Other
Essential
- Knowledge of local networks and local communities.
Desirable
- Able to speak community languages and have good networks with local and faith communities
Person Specification
Training and Qualification
Essential
- Relevant Level 3 NVQ or Equivalent. National Certificate in Literacy / ESOL Level 2 or equivalent experience or the ability to work towards one.
- Able to show practical experience of working with local communities and individuals
Desirable
- A relevant level 3 qualification or above
Experience
Essential
- Experience or knowledge of working with/supporting adults, children and young people with a history of traumatic experiences
- Experience or knowledge of working with vulnerable people and/or communities and those experiencing loss, bereavement and mental health difficulties
- Good understanding of barriers and issues experienced by children and young people from the Global majority.
- Experience or knowledge of community liaison working within diverse communities including with people from the Global majority.
Desirable
- Live, study or have worked in the Brent or similar community environment
- Experience of work with people that might not access traditional mental health clinics/ settings
- Ability to work unsupervised, and efficiency in prioritising their workload.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Able to communicate with a wide range of people from different backgrounds and disciplines.
- Empowering and working in partnership with the people using our services.
- Able to show compassion and sensitivity when working with people who experience trauma, loss and health and wellbeing needs.
- Ability to share information with team and stakeholders effectively. This includes verbal and written communication.
- Maintaining accurate, timely, concise and legible records which adhere to the CNWL policies
- Knowledge and SkillsCommunication: Able to communicate with a wide range of people from different backgrounds and disciplines. Empowering and working in partnership with the people using our services. Able to show compassion and sensitivity when working with people who experience trauma, loss and health and wellbeing needs. Ability to share information with team and stakeholders effectively. This includes verbal and written communication. Record keeping: Maintaining accurate, timely, concise and legible records which adhere to the CNWL policies. Able to talk to people about sensitive issues in a supportive manner but also assertively where necessary IT Skills: Able to use Microsoft packages to keep records and write reports or ability to learn Able to maintain electronic patient records if required.
- Able to use Microsoft packages to keep records and write reports or ability to learn
- Able to maintain electronic patient records if required.
Desirable
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to use Excel and PowerPoint.
Personal
Essential
- Currently lives, studies or works in Brent and has a strong association with these areas.
- Able to build rapport with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
- Ability to support individuals presenting with challenging needs and vulnerability.
- Able to show compassion and the emotional resilience to manage difficult and upsetting conversations where necessary.
Desirable
- Experience of working with diverse community groups.
- Experience of work with people that might not access traditional mental health clinics/ settings
- Experience of work with people that might not access traditional mental health clinics/ settings
- Ability to work unsupervised, and in prioritising a workload.
Other
Essential
- Knowledge of local networks and local communities.
Desirable
- Able to speak community languages and have good networks with local and faith communities
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
