Community Connector - Mental Health

Job Summary

NHS England recently announced a new transformation fund to be allocated to pilot sites within 12 Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships/ Integrated Care Systems across the country to test new and integrated models of primary and community mental health care. Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership is one of these successful pilot sites.

Extended appointments with mental health experts from the NHS, social care and specialist third sector organisations, plus access to therapies, physical health checks and pharmacists, are just some of the wider expertise patients will be able to access in their local GP practice and in the community under new ways of working.

Patients will be able to explore the situation affecting their wellbeing whether that is an ongoing mental or physical health problem, loneliness, debt, or other issues. They can then be guided to appropriate resources that may help, including talking therapies, benefits advice, or an introduction to a local community group.

The role of the Community Connector is fundamental to the development of these innovative new teams and mental health services based within networks of GP Practices (Primary Care Networks - PCNs). The role will support the ongoing development and mobilisation of integrated primary care mental health services.

Main duties of the job

Providing a primary care mental health service within this context refers to:

1. First level of intervention
2. Ease of access
3. A multidisciplinary approach working with a range of professionals across PCNs inclusive of GPs, Practice nurses, Mental Health Practitioners, Pharmacists and Clinical Psychologists
4. Coordinating and supporting patients to access a wide range of community services and resources including social care, housing, family, debt and employment counselling that support maintaining good health and wellbeing

Overall, The Primary Care Mental Health Service Will:

1. Be the first port of call for GPs in seeking support for managing their patients with mental health presentations
2. Provide and promote early triage, assessment and formulation of need and care plans, to inform treatment and/or onward bridging to community resources
3. Support and improve access to evidence based interventions for people with serious mental illness
4. Helping people to focus on achievable goals and access local community resources
5. Provide brief therapeutic interventions
6. Support completion and delivery of actions identified in physical health checks for people with serious mental illness

About Us

Catalyst is a non-profit organisation working with people who are dealing with issues associated with their mental health and wellbeing, and/or drug and alcohol use. We believe in peoples ability to change and are proud of our non-judgmental ethos.

Date posted: 10 April 2025

Pay scheme: Other

Salary: £30,280 a year

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 12 months

Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number: B0580-25-0006

Job locations:

Unit 2 Nankeville Court, Guildford Road, Woking, Surrey, GU22 7NJ

Job Description

We are a non-profit organisation working with people to support their health and wellbeing. Established for over 30 years, we have provided services alongside a variety of statutory and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) colleagues in Surrey and its borders. We believe change is achievable when offered by a flexible, respectful, inclusive and a non-judgemental approach.

They are currently looking for a Community Connector Mental Health Professional to support GP Surgeries.

Salary: Up to £30,280 Per Annum

Hours: 35 hours

Duration: 12 month FTC

Company Benefits: 26 days annual leave (rising with service) + bank holidays + 1 extra days leave on your birthday, Pension, Access to Simply Health, Blended working, Employee discount programme and more.

Location: East Waverley / Hybrid

This is an exciting opportunity as NHS England recently announced a new transformation fund to be allocated to pilot sites within 12 sustainability and transformation partnerships / integrated care systems across the country to test new and integrated models of primary and community mental health care.

The role of the Community Connector is fundamental to the development of these innovative new teams and mental health services based within networks of GP Practices (Primary Care Networks). The role will support the ongoing development and mobilisation of integrated primary care mental health services.

You will take a multidisciplinary approach working with a range of professionals across PCNs inclusive of GPs, Practice Nurses, Mental Health Practitioners, Pharmacists and Clinical Psychologists. Being the first port of call for GPs in seeking support for managing their patients with mental health presentations, providing an early intervention and promoting early triage, assessment and formulation of need and care plans. You will be co-ordinating and supporting patients to access a wide range of community services and resources including social care, housing, family debt and employment counselling and many other services helping individuals to focus on achievable goals.

This post is subject to a DBS check. Please note past drug and/or alcohol or criminality history will not necessarily discount you from undertaking this role.

Our ideal applicant will have/be:

• A Diploma or degree in appropriate subject (Counselling, Psychology, Mental Health, Social Work, Health and Social Care etc) and / or community experience of drug, alcohol, mental health work
• Good communication skills both written and verbal
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Ability to travel around the area required for the role, own transport is ideally preferred

Person Specification

Qualifications Essential:

• A diploma or degree in appropriate subject i.e. counselling, psychology, social work, probation, mental health, Health and Social Care (level 3)
• AND/OR a minimum of 2 years community experience of drug, alcohol, mental health work

Desirable:

• If holding a professional qualification to maintain up-to-date professional registration i.e. BACP, HCP, BPS (or recognised equivalent)

Experience Essential:

• community experience of drug, alcohol, mental health work
• Knowledge and understanding of community working, lone working, and ability to maintain safety whilst working in the community
• Ability to manage any challenging behaviour, anger and verbal aggression from patients

Desirable:

• ...

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.

Employer details

Employer name: Catalyst Support

Address: Unit 2 Nankeville Court, Guildford Road, Woking, Surrey, GU22 7NJ

Employer's website: https://www.catalystsupport.org.uk/