Richmond Borough Mind (RB MIND)
1. Job Description
Job Title:
Locum Carers Support Worker
Salary:
£12 per hour
Location:
Richmond Royal Hospital and community settings throughout the
Borough of Richmond
Responsible to:
Carers Project Coordinator
Hours:
As and when required. Current short-term requirement is 4 days per week
with a minimum of 3 hours per session
Overview:
Providing and delivering an array of support services for families and friends who are caring for
someone with a mental health problem. The Carers in Mind Locum Support Worker will be responsible
for one to one support sessions, carers support planning, coordinating respite breaks and supporting
the Carers in Mind programme
1. Job Purpose
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To provide a range of support services for mental health carers in the London Borough of
Richmond upon Thames in partnership with the Carers Project Coordinator and to work closely
with statutory and voluntary sector services in order to promote high quality carers assessments.
To develop, expand and maintain a number of mental health carers support groups,
complementary therapies and leisure breaks.
To outreach, contribute and encourage mental health carers to participate in the many other
involvement activities of the Carers in Mind Project including the Mental Health Carers
Development Group.
To work with clients using psycho educational skills in order to promote carer’s recovery
2. Duties and Responsibilities
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To follow up new referrals received and provide initial one to one inductions before referring to
services provided by the project.
To deliver one to one support and guidance for carers families and friends experiencing crisis.
Provide and / or facilitate a range of practical and emotional support services for mental health
carers, families and friends residing in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
To provide information and advice to carers families and friends about services and resources
available that they may be able to access for their wider well being.
To inform and empower carers to be more knowledgeable of their rights and assisting them to gain
access to carers assessment either through the Carers in Mind Project or through statutory
services.
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Sign post or refer mental health carers families and friends to other agencies as appropriate to
their presenting needs.
To champion the service and the needs of mental health carers families and friends amongst other
mental health services including those within primary, secondary and tertiary care.
Assist in the production of leisure breaks, activities and training opportunities that enhance the
emotional and physical well being of mental health carers, families and friends.
To support and co-ordinate volunteers with the Carers Project Coordinator involved with the
Carers in Mind Project that are engaged or involved in providing support, carer breaks and
complementary therapies
Facilitate and recruit members to mental health carers support groups, and assist in their smooth
running
Inform mental health carers on social activities, training and other opportunities for their general
well being.
To engage with a wide range of mental health carers families and friends and increase uptake
from hard to reach communities such as BME, LGBT, older people and young carers
To assist in the production of events, such as the Carers Quiz, the Carers Conference and
consultation events
Keep up to date records of activities and work conducted through the database and report on
outcomes
1. General
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To be independent and self-serving.
To attend all staff meetings and organisational events as required.
To carry out duties as consistent with the nature and grading of the post.
Be efficient, responsible and maintain a high level of personal organisation.
Work at all times to promote equality, diversity and individual rights.
Comply with all organisational policies and procedures, and in particular to ensure safe, fair and
responsible working practices through implementation of RB Mind’s Health and Safety, Equal
Opportunities, and Confidentiality policies
To keep records and statistics to effectively monitor the service, ensuring that all files and
information is kept in accordance with RB Mind’s policy on confidentiality and data protection
To work outside of normal working hours as required by the activities relating to the service (abiding
by RB Mind’s Working Time Directive.
Participate in, and actively contribute to, individual supervision, training and team meetings as
required
Undertake duties in such a manner as to ensure the health and safety of post holder, colleagues,
service users, volunteers and visitors.
Work flexibly, being prepared to perform other duties commensurate with the role
Work in accordance with RB Mind’s Aims, Objectives and Values
This Job Description does not provide an exhaustive list of duties and may be reviewed in
conjunction with the post holder in light of service development.
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2. Person Specification
3.
Dimension
Experience &
Qualifications
Knowledge
Skills &
Abilities
Other
Scope
Essential
Educated to Degree Level or Equivalent
Counselling/Coaching/Social work training
Two years of experience of working within the
field of mental health/statutory or the
voluntary sector.
Experience of providing support to vulnerable
adults.
Experience in facilitating groups either within
a therapeutic or educational setting.
Direct or indirect experience of caring or
working with carers.
Experience of managing and supporting a
team of volunteers
Good Knowledge of the types of statutory
and voluntary mental health & carer services,
nationally and within LBRuT
A sound understanding of issues faced by
mental health carers
Basic understanding of welfare benefits,
legislation and community care pertaining to
carers.
Strong grasp of issues such as equal
opportunities, confidentiality, data-protection
and risk management.
Good Knowledge of the recovery approach
within mental health
Ability to communicate effectively both orally
and in writing at all levels.
Capable of providing empathetic support to
vulnerable adults with well developed
listening skills.
Strong ability to deliver and meet deadlines.
Strong team working skills demonstrating
sensitively to other’s views and ability to show
consideration and empathy.
Capable to work under own initiative, time
manage and prioritize work load effectively.
Commitment and understanding of the
additional issues faced by mental health
carers from minority communities.
Good administrative skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office packages.
Good understanding of IT and database use.
Positive and flexible attitude to work
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Assessed by
Application/
Interview
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E = Essential, D=Desirable
Desirable