Vocational Specialist

Job summary New Leaf is a vocational rehabilitation service, supporting people with a history of trauma or a mental health diagnosis to develop their skills and self confidence, with the aim of moving into volunteering or employment.New Leaf is set in a beautiful, 35 acre site overlooking the Exe estuary with an orchard and allotment, a range of glasshouses and polytunnels and a well equipped wood workshop.The vocational specialist role is pivotal in the team, supporting our service users to identify and meet their personal goals in order to reach their full potential and we are excited to be able torecruit a full time, experienced, confident but empathic occupational therapist, RMN or social worker to join our service.As part of your role, you will be responsible for completing assessments, assisting with goal planning, supporting reviews and working closely with people to identify the right volunteering or employment opportunities in line with their aspirations.You will need to have excellent practical, organisational, communication and IT skills in order to have an oversight of the caseload at New Leaf .Being able to demonstrate creative thinking and problem solving alongside working effectively as part of this small team are also essential qualities.You will be offered regular supervision and support by the vocational services manager who will work closely with you to support your induction and ongoing development.Please contact the recruiting manager for further information.
Main duties of the job As the key clinician on site, you will be responsible for showing people who are interested in applying for placements, around the site prior to application.Have a good understanding of mental health and associated risks.You will complete assessments with applicants, discussing suitability with the team at caseload meetings which you will lead with the service manager.You will be ensuring all documentation regarding service users is recorded on the patient notes system in a timely manner and effectively communicate with individuals to support their attendance on placement.Supporting individuals to identify person centred SMART goals, ensuring these are updated to reflect achievement and self efficacy.An important part of the role is to understand the person and their hopes for the future, assisting them to identify volunteering or employment opportunities which they can transition into at the end of their placement.Networking with a range of stakeholders to support the expansion of volunteering opportunities available and raising the profile of the service to support referral rates.
About us About Devon Partnership TrustWe 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 doOur valuesWe 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 To work with and support people who wish to access the services of New Leaf.
The post holder will be required to offer informal visits for people wishing to apply to New Leaf.
The role will require the person to promote the services of New Leaf across DPT.The post holder will provide initial assessment and action planning for newly accepted applicants to New Leaf and will provide on-going clinical support, advice and guidance to the New Leaf team about the mental health and occupational needs of individuals using the service.Duties and ResponsibilitiesCommunication and Working Relationship Skills:Take an active part in the New Leaf team clinical meeting each week, supporting the team to gain a fuller understanding of the needs of people using the serviceTo lead the New Leaf clinical meeting in the absence of the VRS managerLiaise with Care Co-ordinators over complex issues requiring sensitive handling if requiredLiaise with relevant Workways team when someone is ready to start job searching to ensure timely and appropriate handoverLiaise with relevant Workways team when someone needs active job retention support to ensure timely and appropriate handoverLiaise with voluntary services to signpost people who may purely want voluntary work when moving on from New LeafTo lead informal group visits to New Leaf for individuals who are interested in accessing the service.Analytical and Judgemental Skills:Be responsible for assessing the suitability of New Leaf for all applicants.Make recommendations to the New leaf team about the required plan of action/intervention for each person using the service.Planning and Organisational Skills:Arrange and attend all New Leaf reviews for relevant people using the service.Lead those reviews to ensure all present are able to contribute and that an updated plan of action/intervention is agreed uponPlan and prioritise own caseload in conjunction with Vocational Services ManagerPlan and implement agreed groups relevant to the people using the service as agreed with the New Leaf Team managerResponsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and TherapyMonitor peoples progress between reviews and working closely with and advising the Responsibility for Policy and Service Development ImplementationResponsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources: Responsibility for Human Resources, Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties Responsibility for Research and Development Person Specification Experience Essential EXPERIENCE Substantial experience of working in a mental health or employment specialist role Desirable Experience of working in a range of jobs Experience of running groups Personal experience of mental health issues Qualifications Essential QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING Degree in either occupational therapy, mental health nursing or social work KNOWLEDGE A detailed knowledge of the employment needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems.
Understanding of current mental health services An understanding of the current research and thinking about vocational rehabilitation services Understanding of the practice of Individual Placement and Support Understanding of the practice of job retention Understanding of Recovery principles Experience of the practice and principles of risk assessment and positive risk management ANALYTICAL AND JUDGEMENT SKILLS Can demonstrate a Recovery focus, committed to people who use the service being able to find appropriate work Can provide assessment of the mental health, risk and vocational situation of people applying to use the New Leaf service Problem solving and lateral thinking skills, being able to think on the go, address problems as they occur and work in a solution focussed way Ability to work on own initiative, being able to take appropriate decisive action when working with people who use the service Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own performance, being aware of own strengths and weaknesses and address these Professionalism, at all times present self and represent the team in a professional and appropriate manner and be able to maintain professional boundaries PLANNING AND ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS Excellent organisational skills, can be relied upon to produce work in a timely manner Good self-management skills, balance the demands of team working Punctual Plan groups for people using the service as required PHYSICAL SKILLS Mobility throughout the geographical area Competent levels of IT skills Word Processing/E-mail/Internet/PowerPoint/Excel OTHER Commitment to CPD An Enhanced DBS Check will be required for this role Desirable QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING Certificate in Coaching skills KNOWLEDGE Current awareness of relevant Benefits Current awareness of Government employment/training schemes Working knowledge of Equality Act Working knowledge of employment law Good understanding of health and safety at work issues COMMUNICATION SKILLS Motivational interviewing skills