Change Mental Health is a leading national mental health charity providing unique support to people with severe and enduring mental ill health. With over 50 years’ experience across Scotland, we believe people affected by poor mental health and illness deserve the highest quality of support in the community and that every person has the right to be valued and to share in the opportunities, challenges, and joys of everyday life.

The Senior Support Workers in the Thrive Welcome Teams undertake short-term focused work with a wide range of people. They help people to identify what is important to them and the steps they can take to manage their mental health and wellbeing. The workers connect people into community services, treatment options and self-management resources as appropriate.

They work closely with other members of the multi-disciplinary team and Peer Workers within the locality and develop positive working relationships with other Health and Social Care colleagues, the wider third sector and community organisations in the city. They contribute to the overall development of the Thrive vision, ensuring that the service is accessible and visible and meets the needs of the local community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assess the mental health and wellbeing of the individuals who come to the team
• Ensure that any risks identified are escalated in line with NHS Lothian protocols
• Manage a caseload, working in conjunction with the nurses, occupational therapists and social workers in the team if necessary
• Devise asset based Thrive Plans that focus on personal outcomes
• Assist people to utilise community services and self-help resources
• Complete ongoing records on TRAK in line with NHS Lothian timescales
• Attend daily team huddles, business and team meetings
• Contribute to the development of operational processes and procedures
• Develop and sustain effective relationships with statutory colleagues and with Change Mental Health staff
• Contribute to effective team working and the development and evaluation of the service
• Ensure all Health and Safety standards are maintained, including lone working procedures

Essential Criteria:

• An appropriate professional qualification (at least SVQ Level 4)
• At least two years’ experience of working with vulnerable people, preferably in the mental health field
• Experience of enabling people to identify and achieve their personal goals
• Experience of assessing risk and devising collaborative safety plans
• Experience of devising asset-based support plans
• A track record of managing own caseload and completing administrative tasks with minimal supervision
• Knowledge of theories and good practice around early intervention, asset-based approaches and person-centred working
• An awareness of support services in the city and of mental health self-help resources
• Able to work in a trauma-informed way and to apply trauma-skilled approaches
• Able to work with a high level of autonomy and to use an analytical and problem-solving approach
• Committed to continuous professional development and willing to undertake appropriate training and developmental opportunities
• A high level of competency with IT

General Duties

• Ensure all records and client data are managed in line with NHS Lothian’s Data Management and Information Governance policies
• Comply with all legal and regulatory requirements such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• To act in accordance with the charity’s Safeguarding procedures
• To follow all lone working and team safety procedures
• To participate in regular supervision, appraisals, team and business meetings
• To undertake induction training and any other training appropriate to the role
• To work in accordance with the charity’s policies and the local operating procedures of Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership
• To represent and promote Change Mental Health within the Thrive Welcome Team and at external meetings and forums as required

This job profile and list of duties is not exhaustive and serves only to highlight the main requirements. The line manager may stipulate other reasonable requirements and projects commensurate with the general profile and grade of the post.

All successful candidates will require a PVG Membership. Please be aware that it is classed as an offence if you apply for this role and are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children or vulnerable adults.

Benefits:

• 24/7 access to an award-winning Employee Assistance Programme providing free legal, financial, and medical advice as well as support with life’s challenges
• A 35-hour working week, enhanced sick pay & season ticket loan.
• A great work life balance with flexible and blended working environment.
• Access to purchase a Blue Light Discount Card
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Enhanced sick pay and leave entitlements
• Generous 37 days’ holiday
• Paid Mental Wellbeing Days
• Professional development including funded opportunities

Change Mental Health is a leading national mental health charity providing unique support to people with severe and enduring mental ill health. With over 50 years’ experience across Scotland, we believe people affected by poor mental health and illness deserve the highest quality of support in the community and that every person has the right to be valued and to share in the opportunities, challenges, and joys of everyday life.

About the Position

Our Policy and Public Affairs Officer connects with and influences politicians and senior decision makers to make society better for people who have mental health challenges, have mental illness and their families. They shall manage projects that shall lead to improvements in support for those with poor mental health.

Key Responsibilities

In this critical role you will work closely with the Director of Public Affairs and Communications to develop and implement a policy and influencing strategy to ensure that the voices of people we support, and their families are heard in all the places they need to be. You will manage projects related to mental health and provide reports.

You will build powerful relationships with politicians, civil servants and partners and feel comfortable representing the organisation at a range of different stakeholder events. You will love policy and public affairs, enjoy mastering details and offering sound advice. You will respond on behalf of the organisation to consultations and events and will be comfortable doing lots of reading and writing. You will enjoy building powerful and meaningful relationships.

Full job description available below.