Job summary

PALMS is expanding again and we are seeking to appoint a number of motivated, committed Outreach Workers to contribute to the development of a Crisis Team for the PALMS' population.

PALMS has longstanding commissioning arrangements to provide input to Children and Young People (CYP) on three distinct pathways of tailored intervention: 'standard', 'heavy' and 'intensive'. There has been an increase in the number of CYP presenting in/at risk of going into crisis; These children and families require a significant amount of clinical input to enable de-escalation, reduce risks and decrease the likelihood of being placed out of county.

Main duties of the job

Throughout 2020/21 PALMS have been able to collect robust data on the time and skills required to meet the needs of CYP presenting in crisis and demonstrated significant positive outcomes for CYP and their families. In addition, PALMS has been able to evidence the importance of a MDT approach to support these CYP. Simultaneously, Hertfordshire is committed to realising the vision of the long term plan. PALMS have therefore been provided with additional funding to support the PALMS' population who are at risk of, or at, crisis.

The PALMS' crisis team will include an Administrator, Clinical Psychologist, Consultant Psychiatrist, Outreach Workers, PALMS' Urgent Responders and/or Mental Health Practitioners and a Specialist Positive Behaviour Analyst. This MDT will work collaboratively and in collaboration with the wider PALMS' MDT to support these CYP as well as working with colleagues in the existing Hertfordshire crisis service C-CATT (CAMHS Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team).

About us

Alongside supporting these CYP and their families, the work of the team will provide decision makers with evidence informed options and clear recommendation for developing and delivering an effective multiagency crisis service that is responsive to needs within Hertfordshire and which fully meets the vision of the long term plan.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The ideal candidate will be able to:

• Work directly with families, carers and other agencies to support them at times of high distress.
• Contribute to the formulation and development of individual intervention plans and risk assessments and implement agreed aspects of these plans in conjunction with PALMS colleagues, other agencies, children and young people and their families.
• Use initiative and practice autonomously, within parameters of the role, to ensure agreed goals and outcomes are achieved following multidisciplinary assessment and as part of the care planning process.
• Maintain a high degree of professionalism when working in settings where there is a highly emotive atmosphere.
• Be flexible in their approach and have resilience under pressure
• Work both in a team environment and autonomously

We can offer you:

• Regular clinical and professional supervision
• Regular appraisal, personal development planning and opportunities for continuing professional development.
• Regular opportunities to meet as a team
• Regular CPD and Peer Reflection
• Opportunities to work closely with a multi-disciplinary team and learn from other evidence based frameworks and approaches.
• Involvement in service development
• Opportunities to provide line management and clinical supervision to other members of the PALMS team

The post is permanent and PALMS are a flexible service, therefore part time / job share would be considered. There are a number of part time and full time roles within the team as well as the potential with some roles, to work in the full PALMS MDT.

The majority of the work within the crisis team will be in the community across the county and as such, a full valid driving license and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010). Outreach Workers will ideally be aligned to bases in either the North and East or South and West of the County depending on need.

If you do not meet both criteria, it is unlikely that you will be shortlisted for this role.

We are committed to supporting flexible working options for staff, wherever possible, and welcome discussions on flexible working patterns to support our staff to maintain a healthy work life balance.

Closing date for applications will be midnight on 11th June 2023 with interviews running 23rd June 2023. Interviews will be run either in person at one of our bases or using Microsoft Teams, full details and instructions will be provided to successful candidates.

Person Specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant Post graduate study (E.g. Clinical Psychology, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Social Work) or be able to demonstrate further skills based trainin
• Evidence of ongoing professional development

Desirable

• A professional qualification relevant to mental health practice e.g. nursing, social work, occupational therapy, or equivalent field.

Experience

Essential

• 12 month minimum experience in mental health care setting or behavioural setting (E.g. inpatient, community, residential).
• Experience of working with parents/carers
• Experience of working with CYP with autism and/or learning disability
• Skills to provide on-going assessment, monitoring of mental health and behavioural needs
• Previous work with children and young people, either directly/indirectly (or personal experience of providing care)
• Experience of working with individuals who have mental health concerns and challenging behaviour

Desirable

• Experience of using observation to contribute to the assessments of children
• Experience of behaviour data collection
• Experience of service quality monitoring
• Experience of working therapeutically with parents/carers/families of children and young people
• Experience of supporting them to implement behaviour strategies and/or skills teaching programs.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary Team
• Experience of autonomously carrying out assessments in order to determine the most appropriate intervention plan.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Understand a range of communication styles when working with children and young people
• An understanding of the impact of Learning Disability, Autism and mental health difficulties and challenging behaviour on family life
• Ability to empower parents/carers and to gradually fade out the need for direct support.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
• An understanding of the principles of risk assessment and risk management planning.
• Ability to plan and organise own workload and time.
• Ability to evidence understanding and importance of safeguarding and child protection
• Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
• Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and /or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.
• The ability to use email and internet

Desirable

• Experience with children and/or young people in crisis.
• Ability to integrate complex clinical information into a coherent formulation.

Other

Essential

• Hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

812-23-PALMS-IIT-OW-A