Health and Wellbeing Support Worker

NHS; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the NHS as a Health Inclusion Outreach Worker, focusing on empowering vulnerable groups in Wakefield. You will provide tailored support, facilitate workshops, and collaborate with community services to enhance health and wellbeing. This role requires strong communication skills and a commitment to promoting independence.

Qualifications

• GCSEs in English and Math required.
• Experience in health/social care settings preferred.
• Knowledge of local support agencies and clinical skills beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Manage safeguarding concerns and facilitate support sessions.
• Develop trusting relationships with service users.
• Support a caseload of clients and identify urgent needs.

Skills

Communication skills

IT literacy

Knowledge of local support agencies

Basic clinical skills

Ability to speak an Eastern European, African, or Middle Eastern language

Education

GCSE grade A-C or equivalent in English & Math

Qualifications in health, social care, or related fields

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data management systems

Job description

Work in collaboration with Bevan colleagues to deliver a coordinated and high-quality service that proactively encourages service users to access and engage with community support. To work as part of the Health Inclusion Outreach Team through attendance at shelters, soup kitchens, volunteer/charity sector locations, HMO accommodation, and more.

Main duties of the job

1. Manage safeguarding concerns appropriate to your role and level of training.
2. Plan, develop, and facilitate group and 1-2-1 sessions.
3. Offer comprehensive support to empower people to take control of their health and wellbeing. Provide social, emotional, and practical support tailored to the service users' needs and facilitate access to community services, pathways to recovery, housing solutions, social reintegration, and mental health support. The role is not intended for long-term individual support but to help them understand how to support themselves better by exploring barriers to improved mental, social, and physical health.
4. Contribute to the development of the service and participate in support, supervision, and training as required.
5. Contribute to the education of staff within the network and maintain and grow knowledge of sources of support in the community.

About us

Bevan Community Benefit Society is a growing, progressive, and award-winning social enterprise. We provide a holistic approach to health and wellbeing for vulnerable groups throughout Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield, Calderdale, and South Milford.

Job responsibilities

1. Develop trusting relationships with service users, focusing on their assets and what matters to them, providing personalized help to take control of their health and wellbeing, live independently, and understand the impacts of their lifestyle choices.
2. Undertake holistic client needs assessments using a wellbeing template. Support, training, and supervision will be provided.
3. Support a caseload of clients for whom wellbeing support and mentorship might improve outcomes. Proactively identify people who would benefit and manage your caseload to accommodate urgent referrals, referring out to community support services as needed.
4. With clinical support, develop awareness of when to escalate care to GPs or other professionals, especially when needs are beyond the scope of the health and wellbeing support worker (e.g., mental health needs requiring qualified practitioners).
5. Understand when to undertake clinical skills and assessments and provide clinical skills outside of a clinical setting (e.g., phlebotomy, baseline observations, spirometry).
6. Provide clinician-led care under supervision (e.g., wound care, vaccinations).
7. Maintain personal and professional development, identifying own training needs.
8. Attend team meetings, away days, and similar events.
9. Participate in supervision sessions and annual appraisals.
10. Work as part of the team to seek feedback, improve services, and contribute to planning.
11. Undertake tasks consistent with the role, ensuring timely and effective delivery.
12. Ensure compliance with policies on health and safety, safeguarding, data protection, confidentiality, and equal opportunities.

Person Specification

Additional Requirements

• Commitment to an enabling, solution-focused approach promoting independence.
• Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues and partner organizations.
• Commitment to personal and professional development.
• Promote equality and anti-discriminatory practices.

Qualifications

• GCSE grade A-C or equivalent in English & Math.
• Qualifications in health, social care, or related fields.

Experience

• Experience working with people with multiple health and social needs in healthcare or community settings.
• Experience working with inclusion groups, including asylum seekers, refugees, homeless individuals, and Gypsy, Traveller, Roma communities.
• Experience assessing needs and working within time-limited interventions.
• Experience planning, facilitating, and evaluating self-help workshops/groups.

Skills & Knowledge

• Knowledge of local support agencies and commitment to updating this knowledge.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• IT literacy, including Microsoft Office and data management systems.
• Ability to speak an Eastern European, African, or Middle Eastern language.
• Knowledge of the biopsychosocial framework and trauma-informed care.
• Basic clinical skills: wound care, phlebotomy, baseline observations.
• Ability to recognize and escalate signs of deteriorating health or urgent needs.

Additional Requirements

• Valid UK driving license and use of a car.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post requires a DBS check due to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.