Community Connections Support Worker (Part-Time)

Job Summary

Salary: £12,000 pa

Hours: 18 hrs a week (TBA)

Holiday: 25 days a year (pro rata)

Reporting to: Programme Manager

Location:  Based in Epsom but working across all MFT areas

Term: Permanent

Education & Training: The post holder will be expected to attend and complete the Mary Frances Trust induction programme and undertake on-going training.

This post is subject to the successful completion of a probationary period.

Role Description

The person we’re looking for will be required to meet all relevant requirements of our Community Connections contract.

The Support Worker will be required to work alongside the full-time area Co-ordinators to run activities and groups and carry out one to one advice and support sessions for people residing in Surrey. They will also complete administration tasks to ensure courses and activities are promoted and places are filled and will be responsible for uploading client updates and bookings when needed.

MFT delivers its programmes using both face-to-face and virtual platforms.

This post is subject to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.

Key Responsibilities: (All Community Connections Staff)

• As part of a staff team, to engage with clients using services provided by MFT.
• To work with staff, clients, and volunteers to maintain a safe, respectful, and pleasant environment for everyone using the service.
• To support and encourage clients to participate in mainstream activities in the community (such as education, sports, leisure, faith, employment)
• To support the Community Connections team in planning and delivering the courses, groups and activities that take place on the virtual programme.
• To work and actively implement all operational policies and procedures.
• To become familiar with relevant aspects of the day-to-day operations of MFT (including resources and equipment).
• To remain faithful to, and to practise, the highest possible degree of user involvement.
• To be accountable to the Programme Manager for all activities undertaken as part of the MFT programme.
• To take part in regular supervision meetings.
• To maintain the highest professional standards.
• To maintain appropriate, professional boundaries with clients, complying with MFT policies and procedure.
• To always act in the best interest of the organisation, our clients, Management Board and associates.

Responsibilities of the Support Worker (specific for the role)

Working with the Area Co-ordinators in the following:

• To support groups, courses and activities and work with the Community Connections Team to produce a quality service.
• To support the Community Connections team and Co-production groups to develop a vibrant programme of activities, groups, and courses for people using MFT services.
• To support the Area Co-Ordinators  in maintaining contact with those using the service via differing methods, for welfare checks and one-to-one emotional support appointments.
• To support the Area Co-Ordinators by accepting and processing some initial referrals.
• To be able to assess risk on a daily basis and react accordingly.
• To motivate people attending groups, activities and one-to-one sessions.
• To promote “if you don’t do it, it doesn’t happen” attitude.
• To work with volunteers helping out with groups and activities.
• To work with the team of professionals and communicate well with colleagues working from different locations.
• To maintain databases and undertake any other administrative duties.
• To work with the team to manage the on-line advertising and uploading of activities onto virtual platforms.

This is not an exhaustive list of the duties that may need to be undertaken. It may be necessary to undertake other duties in order to fulfil the objectives of the charity.

Person Specification

To achieve the objectives of this role, the post-holder must have the people accessing Mary Frances Trust’s services needs at the fore at all times and use the agreed set of values and skills to underpin their day-to-day work.

All the below specifications are essential.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Commitment to undertake continuing professional development.

EXPERIENCE

• Experience of working directly with vulnerable adults (preferably with mental ill-health).
• Experience of working within the health & social care sector.

VALUES
The post-holder must at all times work to the values and principles of Mary Frances Trust including demonstrating their commitment to the recovery model through their working practice and follow the policies and procedures of the organisation.

SKILLS/ KNOWLEDGE

• A demonstrable understanding of the needs of vulnerable groups.
• Knowledge of Mental Health sector and relating issues.
• Good communication skills (oral and written)
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as part of the team.
• Excellent organisational skills and ‘can-do’ attitude.
• Ability to prioritise work effectively.
• Ability to keep accurate records and collate data.
• IT literate in MS Office, Excel, Virtual Platforms, Social Media and Networks.
• Ability to build and sustain strong working relationships with volunteers and clients.
• A driving licence is desirable, however candidates without a driving licence will be invited to demonstrate how they could fulfil the requirements of the role without one.
• Flexibility.
• Understanding of Equality & Diversity issues
• Proactive attitude
• Willing to learn new skills.
• Competencies in dealing with complex situations.
• To demonstrate a clear understanding of professional boundaries.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Proficient in Microsoft Word, use of email, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint

CIRCUMSTANCES
Occasional evening and weekend work may be required, with time off in lieu available.

GENERAL
Ability to travel and work flexibly.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT
We acknowledge the unique contribution that all MFT employees and clients can bring to our organisation in terms of their culture, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, nationality, age, religion or belief, physical disability, history of mental health or other characteristics.

All appointments and promotions are based on merit and no job applicant or employee will be treated unfairly or discriminated against. All staff have equal access to staff development. Any member of staff who breaches this policy may be subject of grievance and/or disciplinary procedures.

About Us

Mary Frances Trust (MFT) is a Charitable Company established in 1994 by carers, people accessing mental health services and professionals to support people experiencing mental health issues. It is a non-medical service set up to address the social consequences of mental ill-health on the lives and wellbeing of people using mental health services.

These include the following:

• Low self-esteem and self-confidence (compounded by the negative attitudes in our society towards those experiencing mental health challenges)
• Social isolation and exclusion from many areas of community life (including leisure, volunteering and education)
• Low income because of long term reliance on Benefits (Mental Health service users have the lowest rate of employment of any group of disabled people)
• Poorer physical health and reduced life expectancy compared to the general population.

The social model MFT works within is based on three principles:

• Membership of a caring and supportive community.
• Active and voluntary service user involvement in every aspect of running our organisation (this includes day-to-day activities and monitoring, reviewing and co-producing projects and services)
• Equal and respectful relationships between staff and service users.

MFT are commissioned by Surrey County Council and Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group to provide leadership for Community Connections Mental Health Services in Mole Valley, Epsom & Ewell, East Elmbridge, and Banstead. We are also to be contracted to provide services within West Elmbridge.

Surrey Community Connections services are open access services, delivered by the third sector, to support people (aged 16 and over) with mental health needs to stay well in their communities. The services promote social inclusion, community participation, mental wellbeing, and recovery by connecting people to ‘mainstream’ activities in their community by offering a variety of group activities and one-to-one support.

Our Vision

We believe anyone experiencing any kind of mental or emotional health issues should be unafraid to ask for help, receive appropriate support for as long as they need, and feel inspired to develop the skills that will help them to restore and maintain their own wellbeing.

Our Mission

Our mission is to:

• work alongside people experiencing any kind of emotional or mental health issues for as long as they need and inspire them to develop the skills that will help them to restore and maintain their emotional wellbeing.
• involve people with experience of mental health at every level of the organisation so they can help us design, deliver, monitor and review our services to ensure they respond to their changing needs.
• consistently challenge stigma attached to mental illness and raise awareness of the importance for everyone to look after their mental wellbeing.
• lead and co-ordinate the development and delivery of first – class, voluntary mental health services in Surrey.
• maintain sufficient funding streams to be able to provide person-centred services to people experiencing any kind of emotional or mental issues.

Our Values

We are:

Inspiring

We offer everyone a personal, tailored approach with the space to think, try things out and find out what is working for them. We support people to draw from their own strengths and resources. We inspire and empower them to develop the skills that will help them to become experts at maintaining their own wellbeing.

Inclusive

The people we support aren’t passive recipients of services we design for them. We believe in a strength-based approach, where we listen and tap into their expertise. We involve them in every aspect of our organization, including the design, delivery, monitoring, review and development of services that respond to their changing needs.

Connected

We believe in the power of connections. Our services are always designed to help people connect or re-connect with their local community. We work in collaboration with local and national organisations to provide access to first-class mental health support in the communities we serve.

Respectful

We welcome everyone, and value equality and mutual respect. We offer the people we support a place where they feel safe and belong. We treat them with the same care as our staff and volunteers. We are committed to carrying our values in everything we do – both inside and outside of our organisation.

Positive

Our mental health shouldn’t dictate who we are or limit what we do. We support and inspire everyone to achieve their own goals and potential, so they can lead a fulfilling emotional life. We believe that everyone can find their own mental wellbeing, whether they have a serious mental health condition or not.

How to apply

To apply for this role, click on the Apply Now link below and fill in our Online Application Form. Thank you! We’re scheduling interviews as the applications come in and we’ll stop advertising when the role is filled.

Apply now

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