Creative, Innovative and Breaking the Stigma

We have an opportunity for a Band 7 Senior Practitioner in the Rough Sleepers Mental Health Project (RAMHP) to work in the London Borough of Hackney.

We are looking for a Mental Health Professional (Mental Health Nurse/ Mental Health Social Worker/ Occupational Therapist) who is a trained AMHP to join the RAMHP team to work across Hackney, to support this complex and vulnerable group of service users.

This role requires an understanding of the health needs of rough sleepers and the challenges homeless people face in health settings.

We are looking for an established clinician with excellent communication skills, advanced assessment knowledge, and a sound clinical background that will support you to liaise effectively with service users and other stakeholders. You will be an active member of the multidisciplinary team and hold a caseload, providing expert bio-psychosocial assessment and support to rough sleepers referred by the Street Outreach Teams. You will be creative in how you engage and support people who have complex needs.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity or to arrange a visit please call Hilary Neal, operational lead, on 07970 650 805

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will work directly with the Hackney Street Outreach Team, providing advice and guidance, supporting risk management and knowledge about health and social care legislation.
• The post holder will be an active member of the multi-disciplinary team providing care and support to rough sleepers referred to the service by the street outreach teams.
• The post holder will work with people who are rough sleepers who are experiencing mental health problems. They will provide assessment and link in with other advocacy and support services in the non-profit sector as well as helping existing services work together more effectively so that homeless people are identified, assessed, supported and directed so that their recovery is sustained.
• To formulate and agree care plans and safety care plans. To work in line with the principles of trauma informed care including demonstrating an understanding of the impact that past traumatic events might have on service users, and a commitment to providing interventions that minimize the risk of re-traumatization.
• To have an understanding of the challenges homeless people face in health settings.
• To promote a person centred service and maintain a recovery focused ethos.
• Communicate across organizations using techniques such as negotiation, motivation and persuasion to ensure the role is effectively carried out.

About us

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Job description

Job responsibilities

• To manage a caseload of rough sleepers with complex needs as agreed with line manager and within the service acceptance criteria. To conduct assessment, liaison and brief treatment, ensuring that lines of communication are effective and regular reviews are in place.
• To keep accurate up-to-date records of all contacts with service users and communications with other professionals involved in their care ensuring that electronic records are updated regularly and distributed as appropriate.
• To maintain and develop collaborative working relationships with service providers from a wide range of agencies.
• To develop and maintain a high standard of practice based on a comprehensive assessment through the use of a range of psychosocial and clinical approaches.
• To establish joint and/or co-working practice for clients with other team members and /or external service providers as appropriate.
• To fully participate in the assessment and care of rough sleepers with mental health needs, implementing appropriate interventions with them and their carers, based on up-to-date theory, the practice model of the service and relevant other guidance
• To undertake risk assessments with team members and health professionals from other agencies, recording and sharing information as necessary and within confidentiality guidelines, in manner which is timely so as to ensure the safety of the service user and others.
• To visit rough sleepers in an environment that suits them, on the street, day centre, work and recreational centres (as appropriate) to engage and encourage participation in treatment and in all aspects of daily living.
• To liaise closely and attend meetings and ensure colleagues from voluntary organisations are invited and attend relevant meetings. All parts of the system are communicating.
• To deputize for the team manager at meetings in Hackney as designated by that manager
• To joint work with team members and colleagues from statutory/non-statutory agencies, either through direct client contact or in a clinical consultation capacity.
• To provide information to assist service users in making informed choice regarding opportunities and services available to them and to assist them in accessing the required services, support and entitlement.
• To involve families and carers in treatment plans where appropriate and with the service users consent. This may require direct family interventions. Ensuring services are provided within guidance of Children and Carers Act.
• To attend and fully participate in own regular clinical and case management supervision.
• To ensure effective communication and working relationships both within the team and with colleagues from other areas of the ELFT, Social Services and other agencies.
• To actively participate in team meetings and other forums as necessary.
• To practice in accordance with all ELFT policies, procedures and guidelines at all times.
• To notify the Operational Lead regarding any serious incidents, environmental risk or complaints regarding the service, ensuring that any complaints or serious incidents are dealt with sensitively and in accordance with trust policy.

Person Specification

Education/ Qualification/ Training

Essential

• Relevant clinical qualification (RMN, Social Worker, OT)
• Active registration with relevant clinical body Evidence of post qualification clinical training, regular updating and ongoing development of role and skills
• The post holder will be required to have short specialist courses to Masters Level or equivalent relevant to the post
• Evidence of continual professional development
• Mentorship Training or equivalent

Desirable

• Higher Education qualification in Community Mental Health
• Recognized post graduate qualifications in care of the adult with mental health problems

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a multi - professional team
• Understanding of the skills needed to supervise members of a multi-disciplinary team plus experience of supervising professional staff (this might include trainees)

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• Ability to undertake bio-psychosocial assessments in a professional and sensitive manner, using advanced clinical reasoning
• Ability to communicate with service users and colleagues across agencies effectively
• Ability to communicate complex and nuanced information both verbally and in writing
• Ability to negotiate and lead across professional boundaries
• Ability to manage the anxieties of organisations that come into contact with rough sleepers
• Ability to challenge traditional methods of practice in a constructive manner
• Ability to identify best practice and develop action plans to resolve poor practice
• Ability to manage challenging behavior/crisis intervention
• Ability to manage own time and work independently, prioritising work as required.
• Ability to chair clinical meetings to ensure productive outcome achieved
• Knowledge of the presentation of mental health problems in adult mental health
• Knowledge of current best practice in support to adults with mental health problems
• Knowledge of the Recovery Framework and its application when working with service users with rehabilitation needs
• Understanding of relevant legislation including Mental Health Act 1983 as amended 2007, Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Understanding of the principles Care management and the local requirements for commissioning care packages.
• Understanding of the principles and practice of adult safeguarding
• Understanding of the principles of clinical governance
• Understanding of the key issues in the modernization agenda for health and social services
• Understanding of working across organisational boundaries
• Understanding of clinical audit and research in Mental Health Care Adults

Desirable

• Understanding of Housing Act 1996 (part 7), Homeless Reduction Act 2017 and Human Rights Act 2000

Other

Essential

• Genuine commitment to providing services which ensure equal opportunity and fair access
• Genuine commitment to the principle of person centred care
• Commitment to Equal Opportunities

Employer details

Employer name

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Mile End Hospital

Bancroft Road

London

E1 4DG

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

363-TH6820760-A