ISLINGTON MIND
27,993 - 30,063 per year (pro rata)
Islington
Full-time
Unit 4, Archway Business Centre
19-23 Wedmore Street London N19 4RU
020 3301 9850
Registered Charity No. 294535
Job Description
Islington Mind is dedicated to promote the preservation and
safeguarding of mental health. We support the recovery process of
people who experience mental distress and provide for the relief and
the wellbeing of their carers.
Job title: Day Opportunities Support Worker -
The Mental Health Recovery Pathway (MHRP) -
Integrated Community Support (ICS)
Overview:
Reporting to:
Job purpose:
The Mental Health Recovery Pathway
(MHRP) is a mental health provision based
across three sites in Islington responding to the
mental health needs of Islington residents; it
offers two pathways – The Integrated
Community Support (ICS), providing day
service opportunities for people with Low and
Medium Preventative Care Needs.
The Integrated Community Support (ICS) Team
Leader
To deliver an excellent mental health provision
for Islington residents experiencing mental
health difficulties. To facilitate drop-in sessions
and group work in Islington Mind’s centres. To
offer one to one support to service users. To
carry out risk assessments and support plans
with individual service users and to measure
impact and recovery outcomes. To support the
smooth running of the service in line with all
policies and procedures.
Hours of work:
Annual Leave:
Salary:
Pension:
Location:
21 per week (Monday 12:30pm to 8:00pm;
Tuesday 9:30am to 5:00pm; and Wednesday
9:30am to 5:00pm)
26 working days per year, plus Bank Holidays
(pro rata) The post is Fixed Term up until the
end of March 2026
£27,993 – £30,063 pro rata (Scales SC4/14 -
SC6/18 of the National Joint Council for Local
Government pay scales)
Islington Mind operates the auto-enrolment
pension scheme and currently employer
contribution is 3% and employees contribution
is 5%
This post is in-person onsite – the post holder
will provide a service from a number of Islington
Mind sites in the borough
Duties And Responsibilities
Day to day centre facilitation and management
1. To facilitate our mental health Drop-in Sessions, in liaison with the
responsible Team Leader.
2. To support the smooth running of our centres at all times, ensuring
they run safely and that all Islington Mind policies and procedures
are followed by service users and volunteers.
3. To support the referral process of new service users, including
facilitating initial risk assessments and needs assessments.
4. To offer one to one support to service users. To carry out support
plans and to measure impact and recovery outcomes (Dialogue+).
5. To carry out health and safety checks as required by the Team
Leader/CIS Manager
6. To enable service users join the vibrant and engaging sessions
offered in each centre by providing staffing support where needed
on the day as directed by the Team leader/ICS manager
Service Delivery
1. To maintain gateway points of access for community experts -
sharing community expertise and skills within the Mental Health
Recovery Pathway
2. To support service users to access external community resources.
3. To support contact with ‘hard to reach’ people (e.g. those that are
not accessing services)
Service User / Carer Involvement and Support
1. To encourage service users to become part of Islington Mind’s Co-
production team.
2. To encourage service users to take part in decision making
processes and in all aspects of service delivery and development.
3. To establish supportive and respectful relationships with service
users and carers; to work in a way that acknowledges the personal,
social, cultural and spiritual strengths and needs of the individual.
4. To support and encourage individual service users and carers to
develop and use self-advocacy skills, develop self-management
strategies, progress to and/or maintain independence.
5. To carry out strength-based assessments and action plans to all
new service users, promoting empowerment, choice and control.
Enabling individuals to identify their own achievable and realistic
goals.
6. To provide direct support as required including liaising, at the
request of the service user, with external agencies such as the
Department of Work and Pensions and GP clinics
Volunteers- Mentors support
1. To support the active engagement and day to day support and
supervision of the team of volunteers and mentors who are involved
in the delivery of our activities and services
2. To help organise the production of training materials, and the
coordination and/or delivering of volunteer training programmes
Communications
1. To take personal responsibility for effectively communicating with
service users, volunteers, colleagues, and managers.
2. To regularly promote all activities, external opportunities, gateways
training and workshops and the Directory of Islington to existing
service users, externally to potential new service users and amongst
professionals within the community
3. To work in collaboration with other members of the team, ensuring
good communication between different provisions of the pathway.
4. To actively promote the purpose, importance and impact of the
services we offer to professionals within the community.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Quality Assurance
5. To maintain current quality standards in accordance with Islington
Mind’s policies and procedures, and to help develop new procedures
necessary for the quality performances of the service
6. To maintain clear, accurate and up-to-date records of service users
and all activities and work carried out on Islington Mind’s database.
7. To use monitoring and evaluation tools regularly and prepare
Information for quarterly reports.
Risk Management
1. To be vigilant for potential risks and hazards and to manage risk
within your sphere of responsibility. This includes taking reasonable
care of your own safety and the safety of others who may be
affected by acts or omissions.
2. To be aware of the responsibilities placed upon you by The Health
Act (2007) to ensure they maintain a safe, infection free
environment. This includes the knowledge and understanding of the
management of infected service users and the principles of
Standard Infection Control Precautions including the correct
technique for Hand Washing and the appropriate use of Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE).
General
1. To work collaboratively within a team environment and act as a
positive role model. Demonstrate professional and caring attitudes
and behaviour towards other team members, partner organisations,
service users and carers
2. To work in accordance with Islington Mind’s policies and procedures
including the Safeguarding Policy, GDPR Policy, Confidentiality
Policy, Health and Safety Policy and Advocacy Code of Practice.
3. To accept line management supervision from the Team Leader and
ICS Manager. To attend supervision sessions, meetings and
Islington Mind’s staff meetings as required and to undertake any
necessary training as directed by the ICS Manager
4. To perform such other relevant and appropriate duties and
undertake any other tasks within the general framework of the
position, as from time to time may be determined by the ICS
manager and in keeping with the grade and purpose of the post
All Islington Mind staff are expected to:
5. Recognise changes in circumstances promptly, report to managers
and team and help adjust plans and activities, accordingly, finding
practical solutions to overcome barriers.
6. Assist in creating a sense of common purpose.
7. Make best use of available resources and proactively seek new
sources of support when necessary, including engaging with
fundraising efforts and activities.
8. Act within the limits of their own authority.
9. Take pride in delivering high quality work.
10. Take personal responsibility for making things happen.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Skills, Abilities and Experience:
Understanding Of and Experience Working Within Mental Health Setting
1. An understanding of and commitment to the rights and needs of mental
health service users including a thorough understanding and knowledge of:
•
•
•
•
the impact of mental health problems on an individual
the stigma surrounding mental health problems and its effects and
impact on mental health service users
the impact of caring for someone with mental health Issues
relevant mental health and carers legislation
2. At least two years’ experience of providing direct mental health and advocacy
support to people with mental health problems in one to one and in group
settings
3. Excellent skills and experience of service user interviewing and assessment,
of crisis management including experience of dealing with conflicts and
strong emotions (e.g. anger management) and of a broad range of
approaches to advocacy
Other Skills and Experience Key To The Role
4. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills at all levels, ability to
demonstrate good empathy and listening skills
5. Excellent written communication skills - sufficient to write supporting letters
e.g. to support service users’ welfare benefits and monitoring reports,
excellent computing and internet skills and excellent numeracy skills –
sufficient to deal with financial and other management information
6. Substantial experience of project administration, managing petty cash,
collating statistics, keeping accurate case notes, evaluating, monitoring and
reviewing services
7. Ability to work in a confident and assertive manner, motivate and provide
leadership within a mental health setting, securing high standards of
performance from all members of the team
8. Experience of working on own initiative and as a member of a closely-knit
team, organising, prioritising own work and multi-tasking, be adaptable and
solve problems creatively and negotiate with individuals and groups from all
backgrounds.
Updated Oct 2024
Unit 4, Archway Business Centre 19-23 Wedmore Street London N19 4RU 020 3301 9850 Registered Charity No. 294535 Job Description And Person Specification Islington Mind is dedicated to promote the preservation and safeguarding of mental health. We support the recovery process of people who experience mental distress and provide for the relief and the wellbeing of their carers. Job title: Mother to Mother Support Worker An opportunity for a woman only Overview: Reporting to: Job purpose: The Mother2Mother project is an open-access, open- ended weekly support provision for women caregivers from ‘hard to reach’ families facing multiple disadvantages in combinations with mental health problems, The Structured Intervention and Specialist Services (SISS) Manager You will be part of a collaborative and dynamic Women-Only team that is eager to significantly impact on the wellbeing and the recovery process of women caregivers of people with mental health problems. You will help with facilitating the running of a 1-day a week vibrant Women-Carers-Only Space, support and ensure the safety of its therapeutic drop-in, support service users in one to one and group settings, help with the cooking of a daily lunch, convene and facilitate users’ meetings, help with the monitoring and evaluation of the Mother To Mother project and with co-production of new activities, projects and events. Hours of work: 9:30am – 5.00pm, Mondays - 7 hours per week Annual Leave: 26 working days per year, pro rata plus Bank Holidays. Salary: £6019 (£30,093 per annum pro rata) Location: The post holder will provide a service from 35 Ashley Road, London N19 3AG and from other Islington Mind sites in the borough and external locations Duties And Responsibilities Mother To Mother Service Delivery 1. To assist with, and participate in all areas of the Mother To Mother support provision, both on a creative and practical level 2. To facilitate the Mother To Mother’s drop-in sessions, including helping with cooking lunch, facilitating referrals and need assessments and risk and safeguarding management, following Islington Mind’s policies and procedures 3. To develop and facilitate the Mother To Mother’s programme of activities aimed at improving wellbeing and at enhancing employability skills 4. To help develop, support and promote flexible volunteering opportunities for the Mother To Mother service users 5. To facilitate regular service users’ meetings, encouraging group interaction and decision making and to follow up the meetings’ actions 6. To help maintain Ashley Road’s site health and safety and security and to ensure that stocks and provisions are in good supply Service User / Carer Involvement And Support 7. To establish a supportive and respectful relationships with service users; to welcome new users and help them adjust to the centre; to ensure service users are key drivers, that services are fully accessible to all and that all users are aware of our volunteering programmes, of Islington Mind’s complaint, compliments and feedback procedures 8. To work in a way that acknowledges the personal, social, cultural and spiritual strengths and needs of the individual, to discuss with individual service users their views, preferences and wishes and determine with them goals and a course of action 9. To provide ad-hoc crisis practical and emotional intervention to the Mother To Mother service users, liaising at their request, with external agencies including the Department of Work and Pensions, social services and housing, ensuring that the boundaries of the advocacy role are maintained, and to signpost and refer to relevant agencies, ensuring service users access the best support and treatments that they need 10. To support the Mother To Mother service users to develop and use self- advocacy skills, develop self-management skills and progress to and/or maintain independence and to encourage them to take part in decision making processes and in all aspects of service delivery and development Volunteer Management And Supervision 11. To be involved in the recruitment process, training and supervision of a team of volunteers and mentors Communications 12. To work in collaboration with other parts of the Mental Health Recovery Pathway, ensuring good communication between different provisions of the pathway and to actively promote the purpose, importance and impact of the Pathway and the Mother To Mother provision internally and externally to professionals within the community, drawing on evidence from monitoring and evaluation reports 13. To maintain a strategy of ‘outreach’ to ‘hard to reach’ communities that face multiple disadvantages (e.g. BMER, LGBTQ+, people with multiple disabilities), aiming to reach women who would not normally come into contact with, or would have difficulty contacting mental health support provision 14. To actively develop and maintain links with broad and diverse local providers including advocacy groups, other women-only organisations, Domestic Violence and refugee organisations and to develop, establish and strengthen collaborative links and working relationship. Monitoring, Evaluation and Quality Assurance 15. To maintain current quality standards in accordance with Islington Mind’s policies and procedures, and to help develop new procedures necessary for the quality performances of the service 16. To maintain clear, accurate and up-to-date records of service users and all activities and work carried out on Islington Mind’s on-line CRM database system and volunteer software. 17. To use monitoring and evaluation tools regularly and assist in the preparation of quarterly and annual monitoring and evaluation reports, demonstrating the impact of the project, collaborating and working closely with service users and volunteers in the auditing of the performance of the service. General 18. To work collaboratively within a team environment and act as a positive role model showing professional and caring attitudes and behaviour towards other team members, partner organisations, service users and carers 19. To work in accordance with Islington Mind’s policies and procedures including the Safeguarding Policy, GDPR Policy, Confidentiality Policy, Health And Safety Policy and Advocacy Code Of Practice. 20. To accept line management supervision from the Structure Intervention Support (SIS) Manager, to attend supervision sessions and Islington Mind’s staff meetings as required and to undertake any necessary training as directed by the SIS Manager 21. To perform such other relevant and appropriate duties and undertake any other tasks within the general framework of the position, as from time to time may be determined by the SIS manager and in keeping with the grade and purpose of the post PERSONAL SPECIFICATION Mother To Mother Support Worker - an opportunity for a woman only Skills, Abilities And Experience: Understanding Of And Experience Working Within Mental Health Setting 1. An understanding of and commitment to the rights and needs of mental health service users including a thorough understanding and knowledge of: • • • • the impact of mental health problems on an individual the stigma surrounding mental health problems and its effects and impact on mental health service users the impact of caring for someone with mental health Issues relevant mental health and carers legislation 2. At least two years’ experience of providing direct mental health and advocacy support to people with mental health problems in one to one and in group settings 3. Excellent skills and experience of service user interviewing and assessment, of crisis management including experience of dealing with conflicts and strong emotions (e.g. anger management) and of a broad range of approaches to advocacy Understanding And Experience Of Working With Women 4. Awareness of Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment issues, extensive experience of sensitively assessing, responding and supporting gender related needs and risks, including knowledge of the dynamics and impact of domestic violence and how best to support survivors 5. Evidence of the ability to provide, non-judgemental, non-directive and confidential support to women to take control of their lives and set realistic objectives and goals 6. At least 2 years’ experience of working specifically with women in group and in one to one settings Other Skills and Experience Key To The Role 7. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills at all levels, ability to demonstrate good empathy and listening skills 8. Excellent written communication skills - sufficient to write supporting letters e.g. to support service users’ welfare benefits and monitoring reports, excellent computing and internet skills and excellent numeracy skills – sufficient to deal with financial and other management information 9. Substantial experience of project administration, managing petty cash, collating statistics, keeping accurate case notes, evaluating, monitoring and reviewing services 10. Ability to work in a confident and assertive manner, motivate and provide leadership within a mental health setting, securing high standards of performance from all members of the team 11. Experience of working on own initiative and as a member of a closely-knit team, organising, prioritising own work and multi-tasking, be adaptable and solve problems creatively and negotiate with individuals and groups from all backgrounds. Reviewed April 2019