Role profile forthe position ofMental Health Employment Specialist

Context of Role

This role will be part of new team delivering support to those with multiple and complex barriers to sustaining employment under the Active Inclusion strand (1.4) of ESF funding in London. As such we are looking for a candidate with a back ground in supporting those with mental health to help develop a service offer that will include a range of condition management therapies that we can deliver internally or work with a range of stakeholders to access for our customers.

As lead partner for this programme in a partnership of 9 housing associations this role will also provide expertise and guidance to our specialist advisers in developing the individual action plans required for each customer. The successful candidate will be expected to be able to develop and deliver training to our staff and potentially customers to improve awareness of mental health as well as supporting our In work support officer to encourage our employers to make reasonable adjustments where possible in the work place. The role is not envisaged to have a caseload of customers themselves but to work with our delivery staff to develop our service offer to meet the needs of those customers who are looking to move towards employment whilst also managing mental health conditions.

Key responsibilities

Specialist Provision

To be the lead authority for all staff delivering Love London Working on issues relating to mental health and how this impacts on participant employability

To support the rest of the LLW team to be able to provide industry leading support to programme participants

To network with London Mental Health trusts to ensure our provision incorporates industry best practice

To deliver training and information briefing sessions for LLW staff To develop a range of provision targeted at supporting those with mental health barriers to engage

with the Labour Market To have a strong knowledge of provision in London aimed at supporting LLW participants with

mental health barriers into employment

Participant Support

To support advisers and the in work support officer to prepare individuals for a return to work through assessing each customer’s individual employment needs through vocational profiling/assessment and refer the person to other support if they have particularly complex barriers

To offer the customers support by agreeing a written action plan with the person (usually through their caseload adviser) detailing the steps to be taken, in relation to management of their mental health condition, to either get back into or retain employment and the appropriate support route.

The MHS will develop in-depth knowledge of the local labour market, local support and new initiatives, taking into account the needs of the client to broker effective interventions and reasonable adjustments as required. This will include advising our delivery team on specialist schemes to help with retaining or finding employment.

To provide outreach services as

necessary to individuals when they appear to

disengage from the service. Maintain some contact with individuals even without a vocational focus if necessary to sustain engagement

To support advisers and in work support officer to provide individualised, support to participants with mental health barriers once they have returned to work to assist them in sustaining employment

To support advisers and in work support officer to assess individuals support needs related to work which might typically include help with benefits, travel to work, graded return to work etc.

To develop good working relationships with other organisations that may be better able to help some individuals to achieve their employment goals for example, pathways to Work providers, local colleges and training providers

General

Other duties which are broadly consistent with the job description and level of the post To work flexibly and participate in any other activities commensurate with the responsibilities of the

role as required from time to time Ensure compliance with the organisation’s Equality and Diversity policy and relevant legislation Actively follow the Clarion’s Health & Safety Policy, Procedures and Safe Systems of work Ensure compliance and awareness of the organisations safeguarding procedures Other duties which are broadly consistent with the job description and level of the post Provide cover within the team as required

Experience and pre-qualification criteria

Essential

Professional knowledge of mental health concerns and needs Knowledge and understanding of the barriers to training and employment faced by disadvantaged

individuals and how they can be overcome Working knowledge of databases Knowledge of Word, Excel, Outlook and Internet Excellent customer care and interpersonal skills Ability to liaise at different levels within an organisation Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines and targets Strong partnership development & networking skills Ability to build team morale and generate ownership, to achieve agreed objectives Excellent organisational skills Commitment to continuous improvement

Desirable

Graduate level education Experience supporting those with mental health barriers to securing or sustaining employment Ability to manage change and work flexibly