Mental Health Support Worker, Spelthorne

Catalystsupport; Ashford; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

Catalystsupport is seeking a part-time support worker to deliver compassionate emotional assistance to clients experiencing mental health challenges across various food bank locations. The successful candidate will have experience in community mental health, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work flexibly, contributing to clients' wellbeing and access to necessary mental health services.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year community experience in mental health or behaviour change work.
• Experience presenting to groups and working with those in crisis.
• Understanding of safeguarding and GDPR legislation.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate emotional support during food bank visits.
• Assess and identify mental health needs of clients.
• Collaborate with relevant agencies to support client care.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Time Management

Empathy

Communication

Self-Motivation

Education

NVQ level 3 in mental health, counselling or social care

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Based at one or two of the foodbank locations, travelling to the others to provide support as necessary:

• Bags of Food, Jubilee Church, Shepperton
• St Saviour’s Foodbank, St Saviour’s Church, Sunbury
• Salvation Army Foodbank, Ashford
• Stanwell Foodbank

Hours Part time – 28 hours per week, across 5 days

Charity It’s not just about what we offer, but how we offer it.

Catalyst is a non-profit organisation working with people to support their health and wellbeing.

Established in Guildford for over 30 years, we provide services alongside a variety of statutory and VCSE colleagues in Surrey and its borders.

We believe change is achievable when offered by a flexible, respectful, inclusive and a non-judgemental approach.

Our values are Kindness, Integrity and Commitment.

Project Community Connections is a partnership contract funded by Clinical Commissioning Groups and Surrey County Council. The Catalyst Community Connections team works with a range of other partners to collectively offer a wide range of mental health support and wellbeing activities.

The Catalyst service is open to adults within Northwest Surrey, Guildford and Waverley and Surrey Heath and Farnham CCG areas, who want to maintain or increase their sense of wellbeing. As such any person wanting support to improve their mental health and wellbeing and/or prevent an existing mental health problem worsening can refer to the service.

Purpose of Job

• Offer compassionate, basic emotional support to individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
• Help clients to identify their immediate needs and provide reassurance during food bank visits.
• Assess and identify the mental health needs of the foodbank clients and to navigate the mental health system to ensure access to the appropriate services to meet these needs.

We are seeking an enthusiastic candidate who is passionate about improving access to mental health services.

This post is subject to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level. Please note past drug and/or alcohol or criminality history will not necessarily discount you from undertaking this role.

Key Activities:

• Work with all foodbanks in Spelthorne as required.
• Offer compassionate, basic emotional support to individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
• Help clients to identify their immediate needs and provide reassurance during food bank visits.
• Assess when individuals require professional intervention and refer them to appropriate mental health or social care services.
• Collaborate and build strong relationships and networks with relevant colleagues and agencies from the statutory and voluntary health, social care and wellbeing sector to support clients. E.g., mental health services, GP’s, social care teams and other support services.
• To plan, organise and prioritise the workload appropriately to make the best use of time.
• To liaise and share information which may be complex and sensitive with others involved in their care in line with relevant policies.
• Maintain accurate service user records to enable the collection of statistics for regular reporting as required by the manager.
• Attend and participate in identified training, staff appraisal process, clinical supervision and regular continued professional development opportunities.
• Provide basic mental health awareness to food bank staff and volunteers as required.
• Comply with Data Protection Act and Information Governance Protocols.

General terms of reference:

In carrying out the above duties the post holder will:

• Work collaboratively across the organisation to offer support to all main functions.
• Be committed to the role and support Catalyst to be the most efficient it can be.
• Be someone who believes in fairness and conducts themselves with integrity.
• Work flexibly across operational sites, including working from home arrangements in agreement with your line manager, as required which may include evening and weekend work.
• Be motivated to improve personal performance, outcomes, contribution, knowledge and skills.
• Be professional when partaking in Management, Trustee Board and other work-related team meetings; appraisals, workforce development and supervision processes.
• Represent Catalyst at external agencies/meetings and support our values and the culture of Catalyst.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade of the post.

Catalyst operates a no smoking policy which also permits the smoking of e-cigarettes.

Person Specification

Qualifications and experience

NVQ level 3 in mental health, counselling or social care, or equivalent knowledge and experience

X

Experience of working with individuals with complex mental health needs and some experience of working with individuals who are in crisis X

Experience of working effectively as part of a team X

Awareness of safeguarding and GDPR legislation X

A minimum of 1 year of community experience of mental health, wellbeing, and/or behaviour change work with adults X

Experience working in a community setting X

Experience of presenting to groups of people e.g., group work with clients X

Knowledge and skills

Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to utilise them to communicate effectively with clients and within a multi-disciplinary and team based working environment X

Excellent time management and prioritisation skills X

Ability to work independently, without direct supervision and to organise a varied workload, meeting competing demands. Postholder will need to take initiative and work in a self-directed manner X

Postholder will be required to possess a full driving licence and a car. There is a requirement to travel across the Spelthorne area as part of the role. X

Knowledge of therapeutic activities to improve individuals’ coping skills e.g., anger, anxiety, stress management, assertiveness or relaxation X

Ability to self-motivate and demonstrate a positive attitude with clients and within the work environment X

Reliable and consistent in approach, demonstrating empathy and open communication style with all volunteers, employees of the Spelthorne Foodbanks and external agencies X

Empower clients to make decisions about their situation and apply knowledge and skills where appropriate X

Information Technology

IT literate with ability to use electronic systems, such as Word and Excel/IT systems used for recording client data X

We acknowledge the unique contribution that all Catalyst 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 and any physical disability or history of mental health or additional problems.

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.

Please note:

• This job description may be varied from time to time as agreed by the post holder and line manager.
• This job description is subject to annual review.