Band 4 Support Time and Recovery Worker; ST&R

Job summary

Working alongside Criminal Justice Mental Health Practitioners, the post holder will be based within the Integrated Non-Custodial Service (IN-CS) Liaison and Diversion team . The role will cover predominantly Swindon and Wiltshire Courts and Police stations , working with individuals with mental health problems and other vulnerabilities that have come into contact with the Criminal Justice System.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications 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.

To work alongside other members of the Liaison and Diversion Service with an allocated number of individual service users who have been in contact with the Criminal Justice System (CJS). The post holder will also be required to attend and actively participate in team meetings, training sessions, team and care plan review meetings and supervision as appropriate.

To attend police custody suites and magistrates courts to contribute to mental health assessments, advice, and the delivery of care pathways, for individuals where a potential mental health or other vulnerability has been identified.

To work with and maintain appropriate engagement for a time limited period, with offenders with mental health problems and other vulnerabilities who are likely to have multiple and complex needs.

To liaise with and assist the Criminal Justice Mental Health practitioners, along with an extensive number of external agencies, with the assessment and short term care planning for service users.

To network with a wide range of health and social care agencies, to identify and develop a database of local resources, and to understand the impact of stigma that offenders with mental health problems often face in accessing these services.

To communicate often complex, sensitive and, at times contentious information, where skills of persuasive motivational negotiating, empathy and counselling are required, often in situations where there are barriers to understanding and high stress levels, e.g. Court rooms and Police Custody settings.

To positively promote independent living of services users within the community.

To develop a rapport with service users within appropriate and transparent boundaries.

Provide regular and practical support to service users and their carers in developing and managing dignity and independence.

Provide support with daily living by agreeing a support action plan with service users and their appropriate care team.

Provide information on health promotion, including alcohol brief interventions.

Help to identify early signs of relapse by reviewing the clients progress against the support action plan, and alert the appropriate staff involved in the clients care.

To maintain adequate records as required by existing procedures, entering appropriate details on the service users electronic health records as necessary.

Actively promote the rights and responsibilities of service users, engendering empowerment and wellbeing.

Maintain personal safety and to comply with the Trusts Lone working policy.

Maintain effective time management tools when taking responsibility for a caseload of service users.

Provide information to the Criminal Justice Mental Health practitioners in order to contribute to audits and monitoring reports.

Participate in the review and evaluation of the service.

To comply with Trust policies and procedures.

To undertake such other duties as may be determined from time to time within the general scope of the post.

• Qualifications (Essential)
  • Possession of, or the ability and willingness to work towards, an appropriate Level 5 vocational qualification (Foundation Degree in Mental Health or Health and Social Care)
  • Possession of, or the ability and willingness to work towards, Level 2 Functional Skills (e.g. GCSE Mathematics and English Language Grade C/4 or above)
• Knowledge and Experience (Essential)
  • Demonstrable experience of working with a vulnerable client group, including experience of supporting people with mental health problems.
  • Ability to work proactively alongside people to help meet identified goals and needs.
• Desirable
  • Experience of working with people with drug and alcohol problems
  • Experience of working with people who have had contact with the Criminal Justice Service
• Skills (Essential)
  • Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with service users, carers and relatives remaining sensitive and empathetic.
  • Ability to make critical decisions in a timely, considered manner.
  • Liaise with other agencies to support service users.
• Personal Qualities (Essential)
  • To be able to demonstrate an awareness and responsibility whilst recognising the impact frequent exposure to distressing…