Group Co-ordinator

**GROUP CO-ORDINATOR (part time)**

Express Group Fife is an established mental health charity with a network of social groups throughout Fife. The aim of the groups is to promote positive mental wellbeing by providing a safe place for sharing experiences and peer support. This aim is as relevant today as it was in 1977, when Express Group Fife started to operate, and the number of people living in the community with mental health problems is as large as ever.

We are looking to recruit a Group Co-ordinator to cover support groups in St Andrews, Methil, Tayport and Cupar.

Many people in East Fife face mental health challenges. Our groups strive to be a place of community and support, bringing people together, reducing isolation and loneliness, improving general wellbeing. They offer a wide variety of activities such as board games, puzzles, bingo and arts&crafts amongst others.

We are looking for someone who is caring, proactive and organised to host these groups in East Fife. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you

There are 4 elements to the service:

- To run weekly groups with support from the caseworker and manager,
- To be proactive in running the groups - to make sure the groups are interesting and relevant to those who attend,
- To provide emotional and practical support to group attendees,
- To arrange and serve a basic healthy lunch.

The hours are 18 per week. Most of that time is to be used for the group facilitation between 9am and 1pm, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The rest of the time is to be used for outside the group duties, e.g. shopping, admin.

Permanent contract, salary £21,840 per annum pro rata (£12 p/h; we are a Living Wage Employer, salary increase due in April).

JOB PURPOSE

Co-ordinate and manage day support groups for people who have had or are currently experiencing mental health problems.

MAIN ROLE

Co-ordinate, manage, monitor and review the development of the groups in order to make them interesting and relevant to the people who attend.

Ensure the efficient use of resources in order to operate effectively on a day-to-day basis and highlight potential problems to the Manager.

Provide emotional and practical support to service users with high support needs.

Enable provision of a basic healthy lunch.

MAIN DUTIES AND TASKS

Monitor the wellbeing of service users, reporting any changes and/or deterioration in their condition immediately to the appropriate Case Worker/Manager and/or appropriate agencies.

Ensure the carrying out and maintaining at all times Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995 and Food Safety (Temperature Control) Regulations 1995.

In the absence of a volunteer cook, prepare a simple lunch for those attending the group.

Involve group service users in the process of organising group activities and implement a stimulating and appropriate range of activities to meet individual and group needs with a view to encouraging independence.

Provide emotional and practical support to service users with high support needs.

Identify and link with other groups and individuals who can contribute to the content of the group meetings.

Establish good working relationships, and maintain close links with case workers and relevant personnel at the various day support venues, and any other relevant agencies and organisations linked to the service users and groups.

ADMINISTRATION

Prepare daily and monthly report sheets for each group and keep an up to date register of all service users.

Carry daily cash float for shopping, completing a daily/monthly sheet and returning paper work and cash balance to the office every month. Please note that full responsibility for the correct balance at the end of each working day/month (for days you were directly responsible for groups) will be yours.

Provide the Manager with regular reports about the progress of the groups and inform her/him of any difficulties or concerns which may arise.

Undertake any other relevant tasks as needed and requested by the senior staff and/or Board of Directors, to ensure the aims and objectives of Express Group Fife are achieved.

VOLUNTEERS/STUDENTS

Work along with, and provide ongoing support and guidance to volunteers and students involved in assisting at the groups.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Participate in all activities/training sessions, designed to improve personal and professional skills and knowledge. Please note that these sessions may take place outside normal working hours, with time off in lieu given.

SUPERVISION/TEAM MEETINGS

Attend and participate in staff support and supervision sessions and team meetings as directed by the Service Manager.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Express Group Fife operates on the principles behind The National Support Standards. The main principles are: DIGNITY, PRIVACY, CHOICE, SAFETY, REALISING POTENTIAL, EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY. As our support approach is based on these standards we look for the following skills and quali