Support Time and Recovery Worker

Job summary

We are looking for a Support, Time and Recovery Worker to join the Devon Community Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Team, based at one of the Devon and Torbay Probation offices, but also working across the county.

The role is dynamic and challenging and you will often work without direct supervision so we are looking for someone confident and capable, ideally with experience of working with individuals who have had contact with the Criminal Justice System.

You will work collaboratively with individuals to provide psychologically-informed support with practical concerns or difficulties that might be affecting mental health, emotional wellbeing, social inclusion, community integration, vocational opportunities and development of practical skills.

You will work alongside practitioners in probation and community settings but will also have contact with individuals whilst in prison or Approved Premises. You will work as part of a friendly, compassionate and committed multidisciplinary team.

You will have the opportunity to contribute your skills, knowledge, and ideas to work responsively and pro-actively with clients but also to support the development and progress of the service.

We will offer you the supervision, training and development support you need to begin a fulfilling career. In return, you will need to be motivated, flexible and eager to learn.

We welcome applications from all diverse cultural backgrounds.

Main duties of the job

A key part of the role is supporting individuals to access relevant services in the community so the ability to advocate and liaise appropriately with other professionals and community services is vital. Working in a psychologically and trauma-informed way is at the heart of our service.

You will actively engage with individuals with sexual and/or violent offending histories, combined with possible mental health struggles, personality difficulties, learning difficulties/disabilities, neurodivergence and vulnerabilities linked with traumatic and adverse childhood/life experiences.

Our clients can have co-existing complex needs including homelessness, substance misuse, significant risk to self or others, experience of social exclusion and may present with behaviours that can feel extremely challenging.

You will work with others in the team including Assistant Psychologists, Peer Support Workers, Senior Mental Health Practitioners, Psychologists and Probation Practitioners to obtain the best outcome for our clients.

The role will include providing 1:1 support giving advice, information and/or support to access a wide range of agencies and services that can provide support and advise with issues such as housing, social isolation and exclusion, debt management, training, education and employment.

You will support in the development and delivery of psycho-educational groups and social group activities. The ability to be mobile and have your own means of transport is essential.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We 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 do

Our values

We 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

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details on this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Knowledge of mental health and/or social care practice acquired through NVQ Level 3, PLUS training to diploma level or equivalent, equivalent knowledge obtained through short courses OR relevant work based experience.

Must already hold or be willing to obtain the Care Certificate within the first 3 months of employment.

Desirable

Additional formal and experiential training in working with adults who have complex needs.

Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care.

Skills

Essential

Communication and Working Relationship Skills

IT Skills

To be computer literate in Microsoft Office

Good listening skills and ability to deal with complex or sensitive information.

Ability to communicate with a wide range of service users, carers, professionals from and in various settings (verbal & written).

Group working /facilitation skills.

Analytical & Judgement Skills:

Able to own problems and get involved in the solutions.

Ability to work without direct supervision.

Ability to use own initiative and to work independently.

Ability to assess situations quickly and decide upon the appropriate course of action.

Physical Skills

The ability to be mobile across a large geographical area.

To be able to respond promptly to physical and mental health emergencies, to think quickly and to deal with situations in a calm and sensible manner.

Knowledge

Essential

A basic understanding of the term personality related difficulties/disorder and the impact of traumatic and adverse childhood/life experiences on individuals.

Knowledge and understanding of drug/alcohol misuse, how this behaviour affects individuals and drug treatment interventions.

Understanding of the issues and concerns of mental health service users, people in prison and people on probation.

An awareness of relevant organisations working with the client group Probation, Housing Services, Drug & Alcohol services.

Desirable

A basic awareness Mental Capacity Act (2005).

Experience

Essential

At least 1 years experience of working with people with complex co-morbidities and vulnerabilities mental health, learning disability, ADHD, autism, offending behaviours, substance misuse, homelessness, debt etc.

At least 1 years experience of working with people who it is more challenging to engage, as a result of their life experiences, vulnerabilities, ways of relating OR who employ risk behaviours towards others and/or to self.

Ability to assess and manage risk.

Lone working with people who use services.

Desirable

Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment.