Mental Health Duel Diagnosis Support Worker: Sponsorship Available

Job Summary

A rare opportunity has arisen to join a new and successful service that is working to reduce dual diagnosis inequality among the probation population in Cheshire West.

This role is for a Band 4 Mental Health Dual Diagnosis support Worker to work alongside a Band 7 Mental Health Dual Diagnosis Practitioner to work collaboratively with Cheshire West Probation Service and the Local Authority.

The post holder will develop, enhance and improve their knowledge of the interface between Criminal justice and health and social care agencies, developing skills and competencies at all opportunities and support referral pathways for individuals they are supporting to access the most appropriate service to meet their health and social needs, to reduce health inequalities and promote inclusion.

Probation service/Local Authority have secured funding therefore, this is an opportunity to support, develop and implement a new pilot service until May 2025 due to funding.

Post holders will be employed and managed by CWP

Base- Chester and Northwich with an opportunity to work 1 day per week from home.

If you currently work within CWP, a secondment into the role would be considered with your line managers approval.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work under direct supervision of the Band 7 Mental Health/Dual diagnosis Practitioner and with key stakeholders to support clinical input and pathway management of individuals within the criminal justice field.

There will be an expectation that the post holder will be working with complex presentations and offending behaviour to support clinical outcomes.

Excellent communication skills are vital to develop effective working relationships with service users, families, professionals, and other services.

Post holder will build strong links with local services in particular a focus on substance misuse services, police and probation. Supporting interventions, signposting and data collection regarding engagement.

Within this role there will be an expectation to work closely with Drug and alcohol services to develop group interventions to enhance their mental health provision

About us

CWP provides health and care services for local people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care – including the provision of three GP surgeries.

Our aim is to help people to be the best they can be, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We were recently rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission with a Good rating overall.

We offer a variety of roles at all levels, so whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your skills and experience in a new role, CWP is the right employer for you.

CWP are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences.

To support this, we offer up to three weeks induction, dependent on role, with our Prepare to Care programme for all new starters. This aims to give you all the knowledge and guidance to help you grow and flourish with CWP.

We welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

NVQ level 3 with equivalent level of experience and with further professional training either completed or willing to complete within 12 months.

Desirable

Educated to Foundation Degree level, Assistant Practitioner, associate nurse Qualification or Relevant Experience

Knowledge and Expertise

Essential

Knowledge of mild to moderate mental health problems and their presentation and complicating factors
Evidence of further professional development
Knowledge of the types of resources available in the community for service users engaged with criminal justice agencies
Knowledge of common vulnerabilities and complicating factors

Desirable

Personal development within current role
Substance misuse knowledge including harm reduction
Knowledge of criminal justice legislation and services.
o Knowledge of dual diagnosis and associated complexities Knowledge of social inclusion and support networks and the value of same.

Experience

Essential

Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
Experience of working within a Mental Health Team or Social Care team
The ability to work cohesively within a team setting
Experience in a health-related care setting with clients experiencing mental health, learning disability, substance misuse and other vulnerabilities

Desirable

Community mental health team experience
Experience in working with vulnerabilities with a forensic history in community or inpatient settings
Experience of working within Substance misuse services
Experience of working within the criminal justice system

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Closing Date: 06 June 2024