Job summary
We have a new opportunity for a Carer Support & Wellbeing Worker to join us in delivering high quality community mental health care in SW Herts in our friendly team based in Watford.
We welcome diversity in our workforce and encourage applicants from people of all ages and backgrounds, such as those with lived experience of mental health difficulties.
Main duties of the job
The Post holder will:
- conduct carer assessments and reviews
- undertake carer contingency plans and wellbeing plans
- provide information and support to promote and enable carer recovery
- hold a caseload of carers
- support carers to develop coping skills and achieve their wellbeing goals
- accompany carers to appointments / meetings and performing a range of practical tasks, relating to their identified needs
- support carers to understand the recovery goals, care plan and advanced directives and/or statements of the person they care for and to be involved in planning and implementing these
- support carers to understand their entitlement to a carer's assessment and the support that is available to them from HPFT and other services
- facilitate access to community groups and networks that enable carers to participate in community activities, to maximise their opportunities to have a positive identity and socially valued roles.
About us
HPFT is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.
Our family of over 3500 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings.
The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Our Trust values are:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it!
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work as part of a community team which provides mental health services.
- To focus exclusively on the needs of carers requiring support (including assessment of their needs) and act as an expert within geographical area of responsibility.
- To support community team members in understanding best practice approaches to assessing the needs of and supporting carers.
- To work within approaches outlined through the Care Act 2014 and local policy to ensure timely access to support for carers of people with a mental health issue.
- To assist the senior social worker to ensure the integrity of the HPFT Carer Pathway within geographical area
- To ensure that the wellbeing of carers is maintained at all times through promoting recovery-oriented practice.
For a more detailed description, please see attached JD and PS.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work as part of a community team which provides mental health services.
- To focus exclusively on the needs of carers requiring support (including assessment of their needs) and act as an expert within geographical area of responsibility.
- To support community team members in understanding best practice approaches to assessing the needs of and supporting carers.
- To work within approaches outlined through the Care Act 2014 and local policy to ensure timely access to support for carers of people with a mental health issue.
- To assist the senior social worker to ensure the integrity of the HPFT Carer Pathway within geographical area
- To ensure that the wellbeing of carers is maintained at all times through promoting recovery-oriented practice.
For a more detailed description, please see attached JD and PS.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING
Essential
- NVQ level 3 qualification or mental health certificate level 3 or equivalent or agreement to undertake such training as soon asresources permit.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Direct work with carers
- Carrying out assessments
Desirable
SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITY
Essential
- Care Act 2014
- Triangle of Care
- An understanding of the issues and concerns of carers
- Ability to plan and manage own workload and to work unsupervised
- Ability to provide practical support to enable carers to achieve their wellbeing aim s
Desirable
- An understanding of mental illnesses and the mental health system
- Knowledge of local resources including welfare benefits and employment support
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Essential
- Good written communication skills including ability to write reports and letters
- Good verbal communication skills including the ability to observe and listen effectively
- Ability to use IT programmes effectively including email, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
ANALYTICAL SKILLS
Essential
- Good numeracy skills
- Ability to analyse information and create innovative personalised solutions
- Ability to research information and resources
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING
Essential
- NVQ level 3 qualification or mental health certificate level 3 or equivalent or agreement to undertake such training as soon asresources permit.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Direct work with carers
- Carrying out assessments
Desirable
SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITY
Essential
- Care Act 2014
- Triangle of Care
- An understanding of the issues and concerns of carers
- Ability to plan and manage own workload and to work unsupervised
- Ability to provide practical support to enable carers to achieve their wellbeing aim s
Desirable
- An understanding of mental illnesses and the mental health system
- Knowledge of local resources including welfare benefits and employment support
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Essential
- Good written communication skills including ability to write reports and letters
- Good verbal communication skills including the ability to observe and listen effectively
- Ability to use IT programmes effectively including email, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
ANALYTICAL SKILLS
Essential
- Good numeracy skills
- Ability to analyse information and create innovative personalised solutions
- Ability to research information and resources
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.
