Job summary
On Silverbirch, we are looking for highly motivated Activities Coordinator to join our friendly team. The Activities Coordinator work as part of the wider MDT and help to deliver evidence-based interventions to service users in the acute phase of their illness. They have a particular focus on meaningful activity and therapeutic engagement. In this role, you will coordinate and administrate the ward's program of interpersonal engagement by focusing on structured, meaningful activity. You will be required to be creative and utilise your initiative to adapt to each detainee through our services to provide this.
The Activities co ordinator role is vital to promoting service users emotional wellbeing, social engagement, and creative expression. Your goal is to provide meaningful, inclusive, and therapeutic activities that support personalised service users recovery as they are on different journey. Flexibility, compassion, and creativity are key in this role.
There is an expectation that you will be required to work evenings and weekends alongside full support of the nursing team. Flexibilities within this will be considered. We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual who is able to promote relevant and interesting activities on the unit to aid the Safewards Initiative and continue improvements to maintain a reduction in restrictive practice. You will need to be flexible and be able to assist with the Health Care Support Worker ward duties if and when required.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities
Plan and facilitate groups or individual activities
Promote participation and encourage patient input in activity planning
Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to tailor activities to patient needs,
Maintain and update the Activities Board with upcoming sessions
Record attendance, feedback, and any significant observations on the Rio progress notes
Manage and maintain inventory of activity supplies
Create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all service users.
Understanding Patient Needs / Interest
Observe behaviour and engage in conversations to understand preferences (Conversations are very helpful to understand how to meet them at the point of their needs)
Adjust activities to suit present day energy levels, patient attention spans, and preference.
Consult with nurses, occupational therapists, and other staff to identify patient needs
Be mindful of triggers other things that can escalate issues, be mindful of individual care plans
About us
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust):a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
AWP is committed to support and create a positive research and evidence-based environment and culture, which can have a beneficial impact on everyone who works for the organisation and the care we provide to those who use our services.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Practice
- The post holder will provide Vocational, Educational and Recreational activities for the service users in the unit and via community access.
- Organization of activities for all service users to develop and maintain new skills.
- To provide in-house activities for other care staff to use with service users, i.e. puzzles, football, board games etc.
- To organize trips out for the service users.
- As a member of the support team, help to create a safe, educational and therapeutic environment based on the needs of the individuals and ensuring that their rights, dignity and personal privacy are maintained at all times.
- Follow written care plans and guidelines, working closely with the service users to promote greater independence.
- Monitor the general health of the service users reporting any changes in physical or mental condition.
- To encourage and assist the service users to participate in a wide range of activities using local facilities wherever possible, thus developing positive contacts with the local community.
Education & Health Promotion
- To keep up to date with changing practices and attend relevant training appropriate to the role as directed. Promote positive attitudes towards mental health. This will include:
- a) Attend regular statutory training and updates.
- b) Participate in appraisal and supervision processes from identified Team Leader.
- c) Contribute to the learning environment of staff undergoing training and new team members as directed.
- d) Maintain Health and Safety in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).
- e) Work to the Clinical, Personnel and other Policies and Procedures of AWP Trust.
Finance and Workforce
- To play a role in making best use of available workforce resources based on agreed staffing models and contributing to provision of best care possible.
- Follow Trust and Service Policies relating to the security of the building/clients, to ensure safe practice and protection of clients, staff, visitors and members of the general public.
- Play a part in the service provision that is both safe and therapeutic within span of knowledge.
- Supervise the work of Band 2 HCAs and others, as appropriate.
- Contribute to the development of other support staff.
- Effective time management
Record Keeping and Administration
- To maintain standards of record keeping and associated administration in accordance with AWP Trust Policy and local joint arrangements and professional guidelines. This will include:
- The upkeep of contemporaneous, chronological and accurate mental health records in accordance with relevant NMC Guidelines and Trust Policy.
- Work under the direction of Essence of Care lead.
- Contribute to the achievement of Controls Assurance Standards relating to Records Management within their span of control.
Practice Development & Clinical Audit
- To participate with support of registered nurse to clinical audit and comply with activity as outlined in The Essence of Care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Practice
- The post holder will provide Vocational, Educational and Recreational activities for the service users in the unit and via community access.
- Organization of activities for all service users to develop and maintain new skills.
- To provide in-house activities for other care staff to use with service users, i.e. puzzles, football, board games etc.
- To organize trips out for the service users.
- As a member of the support team, help to create a safe, educational and therapeutic environment based on the needs of the individuals and ensuring that their rights, dignity and personal privacy are maintained at all times.
- Follow written care plans and guidelines, working closely with the service users to promote greater independence.
- Monitor the general health of the service users reporting any changes in physical or mental condition.
- To encourage and assist the service users to participate in a wide range of activities using local facilities wherever possible, thus developing positive contacts with the local community.
Education & Health Promotion
- To keep up to date with changing practices and attend relevant training appropriate to the role as directed. Promote positive attitudes towards mental health. This will include:
- a) Attend regular statutory training and updates.
- b) Participate in appraisal and supervision processes from identified Team Leader.
- c) Contribute to the learning environment of staff undergoing training and new team members as directed.
- d) Maintain Health and Safety in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).
- e) Work to the Clinical, Personnel and other Policies and Procedures of AWP Trust.
Finance and Workforce
- To play a role in making best use of available workforce resources based on agreed staffing models and contributing to provision of best care possible.
- Follow Trust and Service Policies relating to the security of the building/clients, to ensure safe practice and protection of clients, staff, visitors and members of the general public.
- Play a part in the service provision that is both safe and therapeutic within span of knowledge.
- Supervise the work of Band 2 HCAs and others, as appropriate.
- Contribute to the development of other support staff.
- Effective time management
Record Keeping and Administration
- To maintain standards of record keeping and associated administration in accordance with AWP Trust Policy and local joint arrangements and professional guidelines. This will include:
- The upkeep of contemporaneous, chronological and accurate mental health records in accordance with relevant NMC Guidelines and Trust Policy.
- Work under the direction of Essence of Care lead.
- Contribute to the achievement of Controls Assurance Standards relating to Records Management within their span of control.
Practice Development & Clinical Audit
- To participate with support of registered nurse to clinical audit and comply with activity as outlined in The Essence of Care.
Person Specification
Application form
Essential
- Mental Health experience in inpatient or in community
- Creativity and forward thinking
- Good communication and inclusivity
Desirable
- Inpatient experience
- Previous activities in coordinator roles
Person Specification
Application form
Essential
- Mental Health experience in inpatient or in community
- Creativity and forward thinking
- Good communication and inclusivity
Desirable
- Inpatient experience
- Previous activities in coordinator roles
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.