A recent evaluation of the role of employment advisors in NHS talking therapies, has shown improved mental health for patients where there is a combined offer of employment support and psychological treatment. In light of these outcomes we are excited to confirm our plan to expand our employment offer in TALKWORKS, Devons NHS Talking Therapies Service. The expansion enables us to appoint an employment advisor within our North Devon Team.

The employment advisor role will involve working alongside a team of therapists to ensure that a personalised package of combined psychological treatment and employment support is available to all patients who require support with remaining in employment, returning to employment following a period of absence or seeking new employment.

We are looking for enthusiastic person who has a commitment to our local services. The service covers a large geographical area and we strive to maintain a strong and healthy team culture. This position will cover the north Devon locality of TALKWORKS and some travel will be required when developing links within the community and supporting patients accessing employment support. The base for the role will be in Barnstaple. We welcome applications from positive and motivated individuals who have a keen interest to contribute towards developing and shaping the employment support offer within our service.

Please note that post will be subject to a DBS check during the recruitment process.

Main duties of the job

• To provide information, advice and guidance to all NHS Talking Therapies patients who choose to receive employment support. This may include supporting people to remain in, return to and gain employment.
• To collaboratively establish employment goals with patients and produce a personalised action plan to help them to achieve these
• To empower patients to make better decisions about their working lives through improving communication with their colleagues and managers in the workplace.
• To work closely with external employment related services including Jobcentre Plus, Work & Health Programme providers, employers, trade unions and employment agencies

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile making time for people challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached JD which details the person specification for the role. This is attached to the vacancy.

Person Specification

Physical Skills

Essential

• Ability to travel independently within the North Devon locality in accordance with Trust policies and service need.

Qualifications

Essential

• A degree in a relevant area or equivalent experience in employment advice or mental health

Desirable

• Evidence of further qualification or professional CPD relating to employment, employment law, and or mental health NVQ 4 in Advice and Guidance Certificate in Coaching skills

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

Essential

• Ability to self-reflect, whilst working with patients, in own personal and professional development and in supervision Skilled at developing good rapport with patients and enabling them to find their own solutions

Experience

Essential

• Experience of providing vocational/employment support as part of a prior role.

Desirable

• Experience of supporting people with MH conditions into vocational/employment activities. Understanding of the employment needs, barriers and difficulties faced by people with MH conditions. Experience of working in a service where agreed targets are in place, demonstrating specific outcomes Experience of assessing, planning and facilitating activities that focus on recovery and vocational skills. Experience of working with interpreters Experience of working within a multi disciplinary team

Planning and Organisational Skills

Essential

• Ability to set clear SMART employment goals with patients Able to communicate clearly and persuasively both verbally and in writing Basic IT skills including word processing, excel and data base packages Ability to carry out a range of evaluation and monitoring techniques

Communication and Working Relationship Skills

Essential

• Effective written and oral communication skills. Organisational skills. Ability to prioritise and plan own caseload. Ability to assess individual strengths in relation to employment. Ability to adapt activities to be appropriate for the needs of an individual client. Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets. Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to collect and report data to support service performance and evaluation Able to work in accordance with the Staff Compact and Trust Values and Behaviours. A caring, responsible and positive approach. Reliable, trustworthy and enthusiastic Motivated and innovative. Committed to continual quality and service improvement. Self-aware and committed to continual professional and personal development. Able to accept and respond positively to feedback from supervision. Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities.

Desirable

• Ability to negotiate with employers on behalf of service users. Ability to be flexible, open and creative in problem solving. Ability to work as part of a multi disciplinary team

Knowledge

Essential

• Essential The post holder will have a good understanding of return to work planning. Knowledge of the secondary effects on the individual that could be caused by their mental health experience, including loss of employment. The EA will also be aware that many individuals with mental health conditions may also have primary or secondary health conditions and disabilities. knowledge to understand the work implications of conditions, confidence, fear of failure etc. Knowledge of employment and disability related benefits. Knowledge of the employment /education needs and possible difficulties of people who experience mental health problems.

Desirable

• Knowledge of and guided by the Job Centre Plus Employment, Health Condition and Disability guide notes. Awareness of the needs of people with MH conditions. The issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on MH. Current awareness of Government employment/training schemes Working knowledge of community resources. Knowledge of employment law and the Equality Act 2010. Knowledge of evidence based interventions to support people with common MH problems remain in, return to & gain work

Employer details

Employer name

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Nhs Devon

109 Boutport Street

Barnstaple

Devon

EX31 1TA

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

C9369-24-0702