ARMS Practitioner

Job summary

As an At-Risk Mental State Practitioner at Aspire, you will play a pivotal role in developing and implementing the ARMS pathway and early intervention ethos within our organization and wider communities in Leeds. This multidisciplinary position focuses on innovation, best practices, and community engagement to identify individuals at risk of severe mental health difficulties.

Main duties of the job

Main duties:

Utilize current principles and evidence-based practices to assess individuals for suitability for the ARMS pathway.

Provide individual, family, and group-based support, considering diverse backgrounds and needs.

Conduct initial triaging and assessments using validated measures to identify 'at-risk mental states'.

Assess clinical risk, initiate risk management plans, and empower individuals and their networks to manage risks effectively.

Coordinate care for individuals on the ARMS pathway, focusing on recovery-oriented collaborative planning.

Engage proactively with at-risk communities to improve access and acceptability of services.

Reduce stigma around severe mental health experiences through community engagement.

Participate in data collection and audits to assess performance and outcomes.

Promote client and carer involvement in all aspects of service delivery.

Provide consultation, teaching, and training to the wider team and external organizations.

About us

Inspire North aims toprovide a high-quality customer service adhering to the principles of bestpractice, promoting equal opportunities and working positively with diversity. InspireNorth is an ambitious, forward-thinking organisation and you must be committedto developing and enhancing the services we provide.

Community Links aspart of the Inspire North Group is a provider of mental health support servicesto socially excluded groups working with vulnerable and disadvantagedindividuals and families. We deliver a range of creative services inpartnership with organisations who share our values across sectors andcommunities.

The organisationexpects all its employees to carry out their duties in a professional mannerwith a client focus, ensuring that respect and courtesy is shown to them,colleagues, other service providers and all those in contact with theorganisation. You are expected to upholdthe values and ethos of the Inspire North Group at all times.

We are proudly and actively anti-racist and as such,you are expected to drive the anti-racism agenda forward.

Job description

Job responsibilities

OUTLINE OF POST:

This role is a key part of the multidisciplinary team in developing the ARMS pathway and early intervention ethos within aspire and other services/communities in Leeds. The focus is on being innovative and attending to best practice which would include providing direct input to individuals and families/social networks; contributing to meetings, service development plans and teaching/training; liaising and working with the wider aspire MDT; and proactively engaging communities in enabling the early identification of people who may be at risk of experiencing voices, visions, extreme suspiciousness and other severe mental health difficulties to a degree that would meet the criteria for psychosis.

In this role you will work with the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to assess people and determine their suitability for the ARMS pathway. You will also provide a supportive and responsive service to people on the ARMS pathway, meeting their needs through a team approach that will involve care coordination of complex clients and other therapeutic activities, such as facilitating network meetings, the development of groups and social recovery-orientated activities.

MAIN TASKS:

1.

Have a working knowledge of current principles, evidence-based practice and service provision within the context of an ARMS service and the broader Early Intervention in Psychosis field.

2.

To work jointly with and provide advice to other team members in the provision of individual, family/social network-focused and group-based work, being sensitive to the needs of different ages and individuals/families from a range of racial, ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds.

3.

To undertake initial triaging and assessments using validated measures ( CAARMS; Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental State) to identify people with an at risk mental state, and formulating and care planning their presenting issues, signposting to alternative services where appropriate.

4.

To assess clinical risk, proactively initiate and review risk management plans, and facilitate interventions that empower the service user and/or the family/social network to reduce and manage risk behaviours.

5.

To care co-ordinate individuals on the ARMS pathway and their families/social networks to prevent the escalation of difficulties and minimise the need for future service input, through recovery-orientated collaborative care planning that empowers people to get their basic needs met ( housing, income) and develop a meaningful life ( meaningful support networks, occupation/activity, education and training).

6.

Take a proactive approach to working with communities, especially those known to be at risk of accessing services with psychosis. Consider current and historical barriers to accessing services and contribute to improved access and acceptability of the service to different communities. This could happen in different arenas, including community drop-ins, faith organisations, primary care settings, educational establishments, youth services, voluntary and statutory services.

7.

Aim to reduce stigma and discrimination in communities/society around the experiences that get labelled psychosis by actively engaging communities and facilitating a two-way exchange of information around ideas and responses to severe forms of distress.

8.

To participate in the collection of performance and outcome data, and relevant audits.

9.

Promote client and carer involvement in all aspects of the service.

10.

To provide the wider aspire MDT and other organisations with consultation, teaching and training, which supports them in understanding the ARMS pathway and assessing those who might be suitable for the ARMS pathway.

11.

To comply with the Professional Codes of Conduct and to be aware of changes in these, including maintaining appropriate professional boundaries at all times.

12.

Adhere to and keep up-to-date with relevant policies, guidelines, legislation, procedures and practices, including the safeguarding of all adults and children.

13.

Participate in regular supervision, team meetings and other meetings as required, including where appropriate take a lead in meetings.

14.

Represent Community Links in a knowledgeable and professional manner at all times.

15.

Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.

16.

Identify own training and development needs in conjunction with your line manager and participate in training opportunities as directed, including any professional registration requirements.

17.

Partake in Inspire Norths annual Personal Development Review system.

You may, be required to perform any other duties as the organisation may reasonably require. You undertake to work to the best of your ability and use your best endeavours to promote, develop and extend the groups business and interests.

Please note this job description is intended to provide a guide to the general duties and responsibilities of the role the post holder is expected to adopt a flexible approach to the tasks. It should not be regarded as a contractual document. It will be reviewed regularly and may be varied at the discretion of Inspire North.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Possess a relevant professional qualification to degree or post-graduate level ( OT, Social Work, RMN) and/or equivalent significant experience in mental health

Approach

Essential

Demonstrate a commitment and enthusiasm for working with our client group. Demonstrate understanding and commitment to equal opportunities and diversity. Demonstrate a commitment to enabling and empowering clients to become actively involved in Inspire North and its Associated Companies. Able to build and maintain relationships whilst maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. Demonstrate a willingness to participate in shaping the future of the organisation by taking on responsibilities and projects in addition to core workload. Positive attitude towards training and Continuous Professional Development. Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to our anti-racism agenda.

Knowledge and skills

Essential

An understanding of the principles of Early Intervention, including At-Risk Mental State pathways. Good interpersonal skills including listening and displaying empathy. Able to work collaboratively, flexibly and imaginatively with clients, family/social networks, colleagues and other service providers, using open and honest communication. An understanding of clinical risk assessment and management, including therapeutic risk taking. Good verbal, written and numeracy skills sufficient to be able to make accurate written records and to convey complex information. Good technical literacy of Microsoft Applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook. Have access to a car for work purposes and hold a full current UK driving licence.

Desirable

Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health. Language skills Urdu, Polish, BSL, etc.

Experience

Essential

Experience of working as a part of an MDT in a mental health setting. Experience of managing a caseload, such as using the Care Programme Approach. Experience of mental health either as a service user, carer, worker or volunteer.

Desirable

Experience of working in an ARMS/Early Intervention service and/or applying the principles and model of early intervention. Experience of working with adolescents and/or working or liaising with the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). Experience of working within a CQC regulated service.

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