Engagement Worker

Job summary

Working within the 'Reach' (IIRMS) Service (Integrated Intervention Risk Management Service) as part of the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) pathway.

The IIRMS team sits under the umbrella of Forensic mental health services.

The post holder will work with offenders who have been referred into the Reach Service and are resettling into the community following imprisonment or whilst on a Community Order.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will support service users who are likely to be deemed 'hard-to-engage', to access and utilise a range of community services in order to improve their use of these resources, which is likely to improve their mental health, social difficulties and reduce the risk of re-offending. The post holder will actively engage and work with a number of individuals with offending histories who are likely to have a wide range of mental health problems, along with co-existing complex needs, including substance misuse, significant risk histories, social exclusion, lack of meaningful activity, relationship difficulties, skills deficits ( problem solving, social / communication skills) and who at times, may present with extremely challenging behaviours. The post holder will give support to service users enabling them to access a wide range of services that can provide help and advice with health, housing, social exclusion, education / training, employment, debt management and specific services for females ( the Nelson Trust). The post holder will be expected to develop a good knowledge of community resources for service users to access as appropriate.

All work will be supported by the 'Reach' IIRMS & OPD staff, be fully risk assessed and managed with procedures in place for lone working. The post holder will provide support to the Reach & OPD colleagues in the provision of psycho-education and low level emotional regulation skills training.

About us

As an organisation, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust offers employees a wide range of benefits including flexible working, NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance and a commitment to career development.

You will be eligible for our Blue Light Card and a wide range of NHS exclusive shopping & leisure discounts.

We are proud of our skilled, diverse workforce and as an inclusive employer we welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Working in Somerset enables you to enjoy the idyllic countryside, areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.

There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable.

Somerset offers the countryside and the cosmopolitan - there is truly something for everyone

Job description

Job responsibilities

Maintain effective time management tools when taking responsibility for a caseload of service users.

To liaise with OPD/Reach staff along with an extensive number of external agencies in the provision of support and interventions for identified health and social needs.

The post will require access to transport in order to attend appointments throughout the county.

To carry out all own administrative duties, which may require lengthy periods of time at a desk or computer, using hard copy and electronic records systems.

To undertake visits, in a range of locations, including offices and carers homes. Visits may be prolonged, and concentrated, particularly during initial visits.

There is occasional exposure to hazardous/highly unpleasant environmental conditions when home visiting and the post holder is likely to be exposed to individuals with challenging behaviour or those who are in crisis, are emotionally distressed and who can become verbally aggressive.

Risk assessments to be carried out, as necessary, as the nature of contacts with service users requires that work is predominantly undertaken alone, inline with lone working policy.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

oMinimum Level 5 health related Qualification which may include, Higher National Certificate NVQ level 4 or 5 Foundation degree, Higher National Diploma, Diploma in Higher Education

Desirable

Evidence of continued learning Psychology degree

Knowledge

Essential

To have knowledge and experience of a wide range of health and social care community resources Ability to work proactively alongside people to help meet identified goals and needs. Experience of working autonomously and managing an individual caseload. Experience of working with people who are difficult to engage How to deal sensitively with distress, disturbance and unpredictability Risk assessment and management skills

Desirable

Experience of working with people with drug and alcohol problems Experience of working with people who have had contact with the Criminal Justice Service

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