Employment Advisor

Communication and Working Relationship Skills Offer patients support agreeing a written action plan with the person detailing the steps to be taken to either get back into or retain employment and the appropriate support route. Including abilities, work solutions, preparation for work, disclosure. The action plan should also be SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time bound). Advocate on behalf of the patient with prospective employers if necessary, aiming to identify work solutions that will overcome or minimise difficulties within the workplace.

Establish any return to work issues, potential behaviour in the work place, possible work solutions. Employer awareness of the implications under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, health conditions and employment reactions. Interactions with supervisors and colleagues. Development needs and in work support Develop in-depth knowledge of the local labour market, local support and new initiatives, taking into account the needs of the patient to support effective interventions.

Including specialist schemes to help with retaining or finding employment. Be able to sensitively deal with confidential and complex information regarding an individualshealth, education and employment history. Work closely with the person using the service ensuring appropriate, prompt, pro-active andclear communication at all times. Following DPT policies, respond to requests for general information regarding mental health andemployment, this may be from employers and members of the public Develop effective working relationships with a range of other agencies who might be better ableto help individuals to achieve their employment and/or education goals for example, local colleges, training providers and external supported employment services.

Advocate on behalf of the patient with prospective employers if necessary, aiming to identify work solutions that will overcome or minimise difficulties within the workplace. Analytical and Judgemental Skills Analyse job tasks and match with an individuals ability to do the job and any work solutions that may be required to develop the match. Consider a range of options available for a patient. To appropriately escalate any concerns following the identification of risk and safeguarding by adhering to TALKWORK risk management guidance.

Planning and Organisational Skills Provide a service that is flexible as far as possible in terms of service working hours, enabling, where possible, at least one working session to be run outside 9-5 hours. Be responsible for organising and planning own caseload and managing clinical/non clinical timeeffectively to fit with service needs and demands Prepare, organise and run training for employers, others in learning and work organisations and care staff about learning, work and mental health issues. Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy To manage a caseload of people who have experienced mental health problems and who wish to retain, return to or regain employment, using evidence based interventions. The work will be led by and focus on the aspirations of the service user.

Considering their strengths, difficulties and employment assets in order to offer the most effective support. Conduct an assessment, discussing the persons job goals and any concerns regarding their capacity for work. It is important at this point to establish a job goal (they may wish to change roles or find a job), job tasks gathering evidence about the individuals abilities including previous work experience (it could be that a role they did previously may be more suitable). Also important is their confidence to perform tasks and any factors that may be issues for employment and whether the individual has or could develop strategies to address them.

Where appropriate provide help to find the right job and provide advice and support on training and also how to prepare for employer interviews. Aim to identify work solutions that will overcome or minimise difficulties within the workplace. In particular establishing any return to work issues, potential behaviour in the work place, possible work solutions. Provide the patient with appropriate tools to enable them to ensure that their needs are met within the workplace.

Support to either self-advocate or source an appropriate advocate. Be aware of the impact on an individual who is experiencing mental health issues, including loss of confidence, fear of failure etc. Be aware that many individuals with mental health conditions may also have primary or secondary health conditions and disabilities. Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation To contribute, alongside fellow Employment Advisors, Employment Support Coordinators and TALKWORKS leadership, to the development of policies to guide the work of EAs Ensure there is easily accessible written and electronic information for all the team and peopleusing the service about