Children and Young People Directorate
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Participation Worker (CAMHS)
Pay Band:
4
Department/Base:
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Specialism (CAMHS)
Directorate:
Children & Young People Specialist Services
Responsible to:
Identified Clinician/Team Lead/Operations Lead
Accountable to:
Service Manager
Job Summary:
To support and assist in the involvement of
children/young people, and their families/carers, who are
engaged in services delivered by CAMHS, across the
county, including participation in own care as well as
service development. To develop and introduce patient
participation groups, a peer support group, and other
participation activities. To consolidate and develop
information received from patient feedback information,
and provide this in a way that will assist management in
the development of a patient and carer informed service.
Key Responsibilities:
To work according to CAMHS practices, ethos and responsibilities.
To be the first point of contact for queries from clinicians, managers, families /
carers regarding patient involvement within CAMHS.
To assist the clinicians in CAMHS by providing opportunities for children, young
people and their families/carers voices to be heard within a participatory model,
under the direction of management.
To plan and deliver individualised and group opportunities for children, young
people and their families/carers to provide feedback on planned service
developments.
To regularly review and update the information provided to children, young
people and families/carers to ensure it is appropriate and useful for these groups,
in conjunction with the groups concerned.
To develop processes and opportunities for children, young people and their
families/carers to be actively involved in recruitment of staff within the service.
To develop and facilitate a peer support group, including the use of peer mentors,
under the direction of senior clinical staff.
To support children and young people to engage in wider involvement activities
across the local arena, including attending or presenting at local/national
conferences or stakeholders events, under the guidance of management.
To support the training of children, young people and their families/carers to
develop tools to allow effective consultation with all CAMHS service users when
required.
To work under the direction of senior staff to identify projects and work streams
for children, young people and their families/carers to be involved in, and to
promote participation as a key factor in service development.
To monitor patient related outcomes using accepted outcome measures, and
ensure these outcomes are fed back to children/young people and their
families/carers appropriately.
To facilitate improvements in levels of service user feedback across the service,
using feedback processes such as ‘I Want Great Care’ and You Said, We Did
processes, under the direction of management.
To support the learning of apprentices in the Service by allocating appropriate
duties and by providing supervision, support and feedback to aid development
Support and supervise the development of apprentices within this area.
Communication Requirement
To maintain a high standard of confidentiality and work within the Trust’s Policies
and Procedures.
To be able to communicate complex, sensitive and contentious information
effectively with a range of people, including children/young people,
families/carers, colleagues and other professionals where barriers to
understanding may be present.
To be able to communicate effectively in a group/workshop scenario. This may
include up to 20 participants utilising, training, empathy and re-assurance skills.
To employ a range of non-verbal communication skills that are non-judgemental
and appropriate to the situation.
To recognise potential areas of conflict or difficulties in groups utilising de-
escalation and negotiation skills. Know when to resolve and which channels to
refer to if outside own scope and feedback to line manager as necessary.
To work in partnership with other services, i.e. Child Social Care, Voluntary
Service etc.
To assist with clerical duties when required e.g. collation of data, appointment
booking, maintaining an up to date waiting list, sending questionnaires etc.
To ensure the timely, accurate and comprehensive keeping of client records, in
line with Trust Policies and Procedures.
Analysis, Planning & Organisational Analysis Requirements
Analyse data collected from ‘I want great care’ and regular questionnaires to
provide reports and recommendations for managers on areas in need of service
development
Respond to queries regarding the CAMHS services as part of involvement
groups.
Plan, organise and evaluate participation events. Plan and monitor projects and
work streams to ensure successful outcomes.
Assess risks as part of development and monitoring of the peer support mentors
and when working with service users and families as part of involvement
activates.
Personal Development
To participate in the Trust’s Supervision and Appraisal processes.
To attend identified supervision, peer support, clinical and team meetings, as
appropriate.
To provide support for CAMHS under the supervision and guidance of a senior
member of staff.
To monitor own interventions and effectiveness, sharing this information with
others.
To provide and respond to feedback constructively and appropriately, raising any
issues where appropriate to clinical supervisor or line manager.
To accept personal responsibility for the actions and quality of own work, liaising
with other senior staff
To be aware of Trust wide and national initiatives within area of work and
participate as required.
To integrate theory/knowledge into clinical practice.
To demonstrate up to date knowledge, skills and continual improvement by
identifying own strengths and weaknesses, taking responsibility for own
continuing development with support of senior staff, participating in self-study,
learning opportunities, individual and peer supervision, acting as a role model for
students, where appropriate.
To ensure up to date personal awareness and knowledge of Trust wide issues
and directives, applying the knowledge in the workplace, including attending
appropriate directorate briefings and meetings.
To participate in relevant training as required.
Health and Safety
To show awareness of safety issues and risk assessment in all areas of work,
including community working.
To maintain a safe working environment, in line with Health and Safety
legislation.
To be vigilant of security issues across the building.
To report lost swipe cards to main reception.
To report maintenance issues to main reception or estates.
To be aware of the fire evacuation procedure for the building.
Management Responsibilities
To assist in the management of patient involvement activities, and to
assist/provide feedback as appropriate to the relevant parties.
To be responsible along with other CAMHS staff for the training of new staff and
students.
Securely handle cash when ordering / purchasing supplies to support the running
of participation events
Develop criteria to select mentors for peer mentoring. Assess skills and suitability
and provide training for mentors to ensure they successfully and safely deliver
the requirements of the role. Provide on-going supervision of mentors.
Based on feedback from participation events propose changes to working
practices or procedures in CAMHS to improve the patient experience.
Clinical Skills
To use professional skills and knowledge to develop and maintain effective
communication with children/young people and their families/carers, whilst
developing and maintaining professional boundaries.
To be young person and family focused, working collaboratively with key partner
organisations, clinicians and other practitioners within the multi-disciplinary team.
To assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the
service as required
To effectively manage and prioritise own day-to-day work schedule with support
from rest of the team.
Provide straight forward clinical advice to young people and families as part of
involvement sessions and work
To be an effective team member, working alongside other administration staff
and clinical/managerial colleagues.
To be flexible and adaptable in approach to all work duties.
Information Processing
To use Microsoft Office programmes, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and
Excel on a daily basis.
To utilise available information technology and communication systems within
area of work.
To update and maintain correct patient record data for service users, including
amendments to personal details.
To maintain information regarding appointments on a daily basis, and to ensure
that electronic calendars are kept up to date and in good order.
To gather information, and assist senior staff to evaluate the information
provided.
To collect accurate and timely data/information through surveys and audits to
contribute to the development of service standards and procedures. It is
anticipated research activities will be conducted at least monthly.
Education, Experience and Workforce Development
To demonstrate an awareness and understanding relevant to working in a Child
and Adolescent Mental Health setting.
To demonstrate an awareness and understanding of national and local health
promotion issues, and incorporate them into own work.
Other Specific Roles
To be able to work weekends and evenings, as required.
To be able to travel easily across county, and to work from a variety of CAMHS
sites, and community settings.
To assist with the cover of colleagues during absence due to sickness and
holidays, where appropriate.
To apply a flexible approach to the job to meet the changing needs of the
Directorate and Trust
Such other duties appropriate to the grade and the needs of the department, as
agreed between the post holder and the Line Manager from time to time.
Effort Factors
This post may require lengthy periods of sitting at a desk, or in consultation with
young people and their families.
This post requires the ability to drive and access to a vehicle.
This post requires standard keyboard skills.
This post has regular requirement for periods of prolonged concentration,
particularly when assisting with clinical care plans, risk assessments and
treatment outcome letters and reports.
This post will involve regular exposure to children/young people who may have
experienced significant abuse or trauma.
This post includes working in a variety of settings, and may include exposure to
occasional verbal aggression.
STATUTORY AND MISCELLANEOUS
1.
This post is subject to the terms and conditions of employment of
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust.
2.
No Smoking – In order to protect the health of employees, patients and
visitors, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust operates a No Smoking
Policy. Therefore smoking is prohibited in all of the Trust’s buildings, grounds,
and all Trust owned or leased vehicles.
3.
Annual leave must be booked in conjunction with the team leader/line
manager to ensure that service provision is adequately maintained.
4.
All employees are subject to the requirements of the Data Protection Act and
must maintain strict confidentiality of patient records and the business of the
Trust’s staff, residents, patients and general public which they may learn in
the execution of their duties..
5.
Whilst on duty, the post-holder will be required to wear a name badge issued
by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust; in some parts of the Trust a
security identity badge may be required.
6.
To be aware of the responsibility of all employees to maintain a safe and
healthy environment to patients, visitors and staff.in line with the Health and
Safety at Work Act 1974.
7.
To ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest possible standard and
in accordance with current quality initiatives within the area of work and the
Trust Equal Opportunities Policy.
8.
To have a commitment to identifying and minimising risk, report all incidents
and report to manager any risks, which need to be assessed.
9.
The prevention and control of healthcare associated infections in service
users, staff and visitors is taken seriously by the Trust. All staff employed by
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust are required to adhere to
the Trust infection control policies and procedures and any breach may result
in disciplinary action.
10.
It is the duty of all staff working for the Trust to safeguard children and adults
and undertake safeguarding of adults and children training at an appropriate
level.
11.
The post holder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust policies,
procedures and guidelines. Any contravention of the Trust Policies or
managerial instruction may result in disciplinary action being initiated.
12.
The post holder will participate in the culture of involvement in NHFT. They
will be aware of national and local initiatives in order to promote participation
and involvement with young people and families, and will liaise with the
relevant staff to ensure that involvement opportunities are shared with the
young people and families that they are in contact with.
Professional Registration:
All qualified/professional staff are required to adhere to the relevant Code of Practice
(and other guidance issued by them). It is the responsibility of the individual
concerned to keep professionally registered and updated in accordance with the
requirements of the relevant Code of Practice and to follow guidance issues by the
professional body.
Review of Job Description/Person Specification:
This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, but indicates the key
responsibilities of the post. The post holder may be required to undertake other
duties as may reasonably be required of you commensurate with your grade and/or
hours of work at your initial place of work or at any other of the Trust’s
establishments.
NOTE: This is a description of the job as it is at present constituted. It is the
practice of this Trust regularly to examine employee’s job descriptions and to up-
date them to ensure that they relate to the job as then being performed, or to
incorporate whatever changes are being proposed. This procedure is jointly
conducted by each manager and those working directly to him or her. You will,
therefore, be expected to participate fully in such discussions and, in connection to
them, to re-write your job description to bring it up-to-date if this is considered
necessary or desirable. It is the Trust’s aim to reach agreement on reasonable
changes, but if agreement is not possible the Trust reserves the right to effect
changes to your job description after consultation with you. Appropriate notice of
such changes will be given.
Employee/Manager’s Signature:
I agree that this Job Description is a true reflection of the main duties and
competencies required to carry out my role:
Employee Name: ___________________________________________________
Signature: ________________________
Date: _______________________
Manager’s Name:
Signature:
Date:
__
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job title: Participation Worker
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
TRAINING &
Diploma in Health & Social Care
Certificate in Community Mental
QUALIFICATIONS or NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social
Health Care
Care or equivalent experience
Qualification with Child & Young
Peoples Specialism
EXPERIENCE
Experience of working with
Experience of working with
children/young people or adults
children/young people with
with mental health issues.
mental health issues.
Experience of group work,
Previous experience of working in
managing group dynamics and
a patient participation arena and /
collecting feedback.
or with mentors / volunteers.
Experience of selecting,
supervising and developing others
KNOWLEDGE
High level communication skills
Basic understanding of the
AND SKILLS
(written and verbal) including an
principals of participation.
ability to communicate and work in
settings in which the atmosphere
Ability to organise, implement and
may be emotive.
review participation activities.
Good understanding of mental
health issues.
Knowledge of national policy and
legislation (eg. NSF, Mental
Health Act, Human Rights Act,
NICE guidance).
Good understanding of risk
assessment and risk
management.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Sound knowledge of assessment
and care planning process.
Ability to produce and maintain
good quality written reports, audits
and records
Excellent presentation skills.
Working knowledge of Microsoft
Word, Powerpoint, Excel and
Outlook.
PERSONAL
An ability to interact effectively
An interest in working with
with children/young people.
children/young people with
mental health issues.
An ability to interact effectively
with staff from all disciplines.
An interest in patient participation
and involvement.
Ability to work in a team.
Ability to organise/coordinate
group activities and to run groups.
Ability to work independently,
reliably and consistently under the
supervision of a qualified staff
member.
OTHER
Ability to travel between locations,
as required.
Ability to work evenings and
weekends, as required.
Good self/time management and
organisational skills.
Professional attitude and role
model.
Positive and flexible approach to
work.
Self-motivated and able to work
using own initiative
Problem solving skills.
Creative and innovative.