Mental Health Together Navigator

Job responsibilities

Porchlight is a strategic partner for Kent & Medway service, Mental Health Together (MHT); this is the transformed multi-agency offer, which brings all the services and agencies that support people with varying mental health needs much closer together. This ensures that people get the right care, without having to navigate service boundaries and without repeatedly telling their story. The Mental Health Navigator is a key role which is part of a joined-up model of care which bridges the gap that currently exists between primary (i.e. GPs) and community mental health (i.e. KMMHT). It will support people with complex mental health needs by:

Providing someone with support in a person-centred, holistic way

Delivering needs-led and personalised trauma-informed care.

Removing barriers to access, and thresholds across services working together

Involving those using services and carers as equal partners in their support

Building in involvement and co-production at all levels of service design delivery

Youll be one of the first people that those using Mental Health Together will meet, so youll have a strong commitment to ensuring that this first experience is positive, being a good communicator as well as showing compassion.

As part of one team of professionals from across different organisations that make up Mental Health Together, youll value partnership and collaboration, recognising the different skills and understanding that each person brings to the team.

This role is perfect for individuals with significant experience of working within a community mental health and or wellbeing setting, working with individuals with complex mental health needs to help them achieve their goals. As well as understanding of how mental health systems work, you will have good insight into local services and support, and how social factors can affect mental health.

Do you have significant experience within a community mental health and wellbeing setting?

Do you have the ability to listen to and understand people with complex mental health needs to find out what is important to them, and then make a plan together that they can achieve?

Do you value working as a team to get the best possible outcomes for people, particularly where things have not always worked in the past?

Do you feel passionate about improving peoples experience of mental health services?

Main responsibilities

1.Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to manage referrals and ensure people receive the most appropriate support.

2.Make initial contact with individuals by phone to identify needs and priorities.

3.Complete person-centred assessments at initial Mental Health Together appointments using DIALOG+.

4.Develop an initial personalised support plan outlining next steps to meet needs and aspirations.

5.Consider the wider social factors affecting mental health and identify services that may provide appropriate support.

6.Work collaboratively from locality hubs to agree the most appropriate services and interventions following assessment.

7.Deliver agreed low -intensity structured psycho-social interventions, which may includeCBT- or DBT-informed support, with training and supervision from clinicians where required.

8.Manage a caseload effectively, recognising when to seek input from the wider team or specialist services.

9.Identify, assess and manage risk and safeguarding concerns, escalating appropriately.

10.Work independently in the community, building professional networks and knowledge of local assets to support individuals in achieving their goals.

11.Maintain timely, accurate and up-to-date records across Mental Health Together systems

Other Duties

Work collaboratively with other Porchlight services to share and embed best practice around mental health support.

Undertake and participate constructively in induction, supervision, appraisal and relevant training, and contribute positively to good team relationships and continuous improvement of services

Represent Porchlight professionally at external meetings and forums in the local area, as required, maintaining positive relationships with key stakeholders

Maintain confidentiality in line with organisational policy in relation to those using our services, staff and business sensitive information.

Any other requirements to ensure effective delivery of the service, within reasonable expectations

Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Ability to engage, motivate and support clients and carers where appropriate.
• Use verbal and non-verbal skills to de-escalate distress and anger.
• Support clients to make informed decisions and achieve agreed goals.
• Positive, flexible and strengths-based approach to mental health support.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with partners, managers and providers.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including contributing to multidisciplinary meetings.
• Ability to manage competing demands and maintain accurate electronic records.

Desirable

• Awareness of long-term physical conditions affecting wellbeing.

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential

• Be able to display an awareness, understanding and commitment to the protection and safeguarding of young people and vulnerable adults.
• Have an understanding of and be able to demonstrate a commitment to Equal Opportunities and Diversity.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of delivering mental health and wellbeing interventions in a case management approach.
• Experience supporting clients with complex needs and multiple barriers in health and social care settings.
• Highly organised, with strong planning skills and ability to meet agreed targets.
• Understanding of inclusion, mental health and trauma-informed practice.
• Knowledge of housing, health and social care systems, and the application of wellbeing and prevention.

Desirable

• Experience ...