Community Connector

Job description

Your experience of working in the mental health field has given you a good understanding of community working and lone working plus a proven ability to break down stigma and the barriers associated with working with the client group. All you need is the perfect environment to put your skills to great use. Welcome to Richmond Fellowship as a Community Connector.

NHS England recently announced a new transformation fund to be allocated to pilot sites within 12 Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships/Integrated Care Systems across the country to test new and integrated models of primary and community mental health care. The Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership is one of the successful pilot sites, and Richmond Fellowship are proud to be part of this partnership. We are recruiting for a Community Connector who will be based at Redhill but will also cover Merstham and Reigate area.

The role of Community Connector will be fundamental to the developing of these innovative new teams and mental health services based within networks of GP Practices (Primary Care Networks). Indeed, whoever takes on this particular challenge will be instrumental in supporting the ongoing development and mobilisation of integrated primary care mental health services in the future. Along the way, you'll work jointly with a Mental Health Practitioner to conduct assessments. We'll also rely on you to help patients identify their socially determined needs and goals, provide self-management tools and develop personal support plans. Delivering a range of motivational and structured psycho-social interventions, promoting independence through an enabling asset based approach and developing effective relationships with a range of agencies to facilitate a 'joined up' approach - these are just some aspects of this vital role.

As well as proven relevant experience, you'll need an appropriate diploma or degree i.e. in counselling, psychology, social work, probation, mental health, Health and Social Care (level 3), NVQ's level 3+ and/or community experience of drug, alcohol, mental health work. You'll also need the ability to work co-operatively and flexible as part of a multidisciplinary team from a service hub in one of three locations, and be willing to travel to and from a number of different locations on a daily basis. Comfortable working to the confidentiality, consent, information sharing and safeguarding policies of the integrated service, the ability to manage any challenging behaviour, anger and verbal aggression from patients is important too. And, it goes without saying that you have excellent communication skills and are proficient in the use of office IT.

We are committed to increasing our diversity and we would welcome applications from those with lived experience and/or who are from a BAME background.

A full driving licence, access to a vehicle and insurance for business would be helpful for this role, which is also subject to a 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.

The salary for this post is £24,913 per annum.

This a permanent full-timer role requiring the post holder to work 37.5 hours per week with occasional out-of-

hours and or/weekend work.

Recovery Focus is committed to working towards equal opportunities and we select staff solely on merit irrespective of race, colour, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, social class, religious belief, disability or history of mental health or addiction problems. If you need support to apply for the role or adaptions at interview please contact the recruitment team to discuss.

It is a mandatory requirement of the application process for this post that candidates submit a CV and Supporting Statement, thus only candidates that provide this, and who meet the essential criteria within the person specification, will be considered for an interview.

Closing Date for applications is 7 December 2021 (We reserve the right to close vacancies before the specified closing date, should a large number of applications be received)

So, are you ready to take on this rewarding role that comes with some really great benefits?

Richmond Fellowship is part of Recovery Focus, a national group of charities highly experienced in providing specialist support services to individuals and families living with the effects of mental ill health, drug and alcohol use, gambling and domestic violence. We know that recovery can look and feel very different to each and every one of us. But we also know that if we provide the right support, at the right time, we can inspire recovery nationwide and that recovery is possible for everyone.