Mental Health Caseworker

Job Summary:

The aim of this project is to remove barriers to mental health recovery and/or risk factors for future poor mental health, by addressing the underlying issues with debt/finance, housing, employment, relationships and so on. The Mental Health Project Caseworker will deliver advice to people with mental health issues, on these areas, which are core advice areas for Citizens Advice.

The role will link with three other projects across Hampshire to build on a successful pilot project established in Melbury Lodge in Winchester.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Building excellent working relationships with the staff at Elm House and Hollybank, to ensure the project successfully embeds learning from the previous (similar) service, and provides effective support to staff and patients

2. Working collaboratively with other partner agencies to ensure the project complements and supports other activities, to achieve the best outcomes for people using the service, referring into other sources of support as appropriate

3. Identifying and addressing a range of advice needs (within the remit of Citizens Advice) in inpatients within Elm House and Hollybank both whilst they are inpatients, and following discharge, to ensure advice needs are met

4. Further developing and adapting the model for delivering this service, to maximise its impact and effectiveness. This will involve testing delivery models and adapting these based on learning on a continuous basis throughout the project. It will also involve developing and managing a process for monitoring and evaluating the impact.

5. Developing mechanisms to effectively support clients after discharge, ensuring that their advice needs are met and they do not ‘fall between the gaps’ in services

Personal Responsibilities:

1. Build effective working relationships with the staff team at Elm House, and other project partners, to initiate the project, review progress, capture learning and develop the model in an ongoing way, to maximise impact and effectiveness

2. Develop effective processes for monitoring, evaluation and learning from the project

3. Attend Elm House and Hollybank to provide face-to-face advice sessions for inpatients. The frequency and duration of these sessions will be reviewed in an ongoing way (and be adapted as needed).

4. Provide advice remotely (e.g. by phone or email) to clients (either current inpatients on the ward, or following discharge)

5. Ensure the effective recording of advice outcomes and referral/signposting

6. Ensure all advice delivered is high quality, and adheres to all Citizens Advice standards and requirements, including GDPR

7. Maintain records for the purpose of project outcomes & impact, information retrieval, statistical monitoring, and report preparation as required

8. Review and make recommendations for improvement to the project’s outcomes in an ongoing way throughout the project

9. Use IT and case management systems effectively for statistical recording, record keeping and documentation production as required

10. Keep up to date with policies and procedures relevant to the role

11. Keep up to date with relevant legislation, case law, policies and procedures relating to relevant advice issues and undertake appropriate training

12. Attend relevant internal and external meetings as agreed

13. Carry out any other tasks that may be within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery of the project

14. Demonstrate commitment to the aims and policies of the Citizens Advice service, including equal opportunities policies

Abide by health and safety guidelines and share responsibility for own safety and that of colleagues

General Requirements:

· Ability to communicate effectively in English in both oral and written.

· Sound IT skills including the ability to enter data quickly and accurately.

· Demonstrate commitment to the aims and policies of Citizens Advice.

· Encourage good teamwork and lines of communication between all team members.

· Quality and Compliance in work standards.

· Ability to prioritise own work, meet targets and manage workload in a pressured environment.

· Adhere to health and safety guidelines and share responsibility for own and colleagues’ safety.

Carry out any other tasks that may be within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery of the project

Educational/Professional and Technical Experience/Knowledge/skills:

Please note that prior experience of advice delivery with Citizens Advice would be beneficial but is not an essential requirement for this role. Training will be given to those new to advice delivery or to Citizens Advice.

1. Experience of supporting people with mental health conditions, and motivation to provide expert help to people experiencing mental ill health

2. Ability to deliver high quality advice and casework

3. Willingness to deliver advice in person in Elm House, Havant

4. Ability to work effectively in partnership with external agencies, to develop and deliver the most effective service to clients

5. Able to demonstrate a commitment to the aims and principles of Citizens Advice, including equality and diversity

6. Ability to manage time, and prioritise effectively to meet client needs and achieve project aims

7. Effective oral and written communication skills, particularly in explaining complex issues in plain language and building engagement with vulnerable people

8. Ability to use and manage case recording systems to meet funder and reporting requirements

9. Confidence with IT systems to include case management, referrals systems and secure information management

10. Ability to give and receive feedback objectively and sensitively and a willingness to challenge constructively

To request a job pack please email rachel.buxton-griffiths@cahavant.org.uk