RECONNECT Assertive Outreach Worker, Guildford

Base Guildford (with travel across Surrey) including the 5 Surrey Prisons

Hours: Full time – 35 hours per week

Organisation

It’s not just about what we offer, but how we offer it. Catalyst is a non-profit organisation working with people to support their health and wellbeing. Established in Guildford for over 30 years, we provide services alongside a variety of statutory and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) colleagues in Surrey and its borders. We believe change is achievable when offered by a flexible, respectful, inclusive and a non-judgemental approach. Our values are Kindness, Integrity and Commitment.

Purpose of Job

Catalyst, in partnership with Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust are providing the Liaison and Diversion services to the Surrey community. The aim of the service is to provide early intervention for vulnerable people of all ages as they come to the attention of the criminal justice system. People will be assessed and individuals with mental health concerns, learning disabilities, substance misuse problems and other vulnerabilities will be identified as soon as possible and offered support, signposting and referrals to appropriate support services based on their needs. Information gained from the assessments will be shared with the relevant youth and criminal justice agencies to enable key decision makers to make more informed decisions on diversion, charging, case-management, effective participation in criminal justice proceedings, remand and sentencing for these vulnerable individuals.

The Assertive Outreach Worker will work with colleagues in the Liaison and Diversion Service to offer person-centred and community based support and interventions, which will improve the health and social care for individuals whilst reducing offending and supporting the best possible decision-making within criminal justice partnerships. The assertive outreach worker will be expected to attend the 5 Surrey Prisons to undertake assessments and meet with clients due for release to build relationships and for continuity of care. This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level as well as full prison vetting.

Key Activities:

• To work with Liaison and Diversion colleagues in locality criminal justice settings to engage with individuals following assessment
• To actively engage with clients in their local community to support the client achieve their goals following assessment
• To engage with clients in the prison environment and complete assessments as needed
• To conduct continuous risk assessments and develop and update risk management plans with partners
• To adhere to all the policies and practices of the Liaison and Diversion service
• To provide advice, information and appropriate harm reduction advice based on an individual’s needs
• To support the client to engage with key local services to improve their health and wellbeing e.g. primary care, housing, benefits etc.
• To jointly work with the client’s other support workers to ensure client meets any criminal justice requirements
• To transport clients to appointments as required and support clients at assessments and ongoing appointments, where appropriate and if needed
• To develop joint working arrangements with key local services, attend joint assessments if required and attend partnership meetings
• To support individuals to find employment, undertake training, access support services, and cultivate positive social networks
• To keep up-to-date records, data and outcomes in line with the service contract

General terms of reference:

• Work collaboratively across the organisation to offer support to all main functions
• Be committed to the role and support Catalyst to be the most efficient it can be
• Be someone who believes in fairness and conducts themselves with integrity
• Work flexibly across operational sites, including working from home arrangements in agreement with your line manager, as required which may include evening and weekend work
• Be motivated to improve personal performance, outcomes, contribution, knowledge and skills
• Be professional when partaking in Management, Trustee Board and other work related team meetings; appraisals, workforce development and supervision processes
• Keep abreast of developments in services, legislation and identify good practices where appropriate
• Contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe environment for all staff on site or working remotely
• Represent Catalyst at external agencies/meetings and support our values and the culture of Catalyst
• Assist in ensuring GDPR compliance throughout the service
• Adhere to health and safety compliance, ensuring timely and accurate record keeping
• Adhere to confidentiality policy
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade of the post

Person Specification

Qualifications and experience

• A diploma or degree in appropriate subject i.e. counselling, psychology, social work, probation, mental health, learning difficulties and/or Health and Care Outdoor (NVQ level 3)
• A minimum of 2 years community experience of working with adults relating to mental health, learning difficulties drug and alcohol work, and accommodation issues

Knowledge and skills

• An understanding of confidentiality, consent, information sharing, in line with GDPR
• A working knowledge of assertive outreach work, assessing and managing risk and Safeguarding, and policies and procedures supporting these
• An ability to work with complex clients (alcohol, homelessness, learning difficulties, mental health issues) in the community
• A good working knowledge of harm reduction approaches
• Skilled in providing support within a multi skilled/disciplinary approach within teams and with external organisations
• A working knowledge of supporting clients to access services such as: hostels/housing, benefits, primary care, mental health, physical health, and treatment services
• Good communication and written skills and a commitment to accurate and confidential record keeping on case management systems
• Ability to interact effectively with the clients, colleagues and other professionals whilst retaining clear boundaries
• Ability to work to all the policies, procedures and standards of the service and joint working arrangements with statutory and voluntary sector partners
• A good understanding of personal limitations, ability to identify when to seek advice and support, and deal with issues in a professional manner

Information technology

• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and basic Excel
• Ability to enter data onto a database as required by the Service

General

• Ability to work flexibly across operational hours and evenings where required
• Ability to travel to and from a number of different locations on a daily basis
• A passion for developing own skills/knowledge base through ongoing learning and development

We acknowledge the unique contribution that all Catalyst employees and clients can bring to our organisation in terms of their culture, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, nationality, age, religion or belief and any physical disability or history of mental health or additional problems. All appointments and promotions are based on merit and no job applicant or employee will be treated unfairly or discriminated against. All staff have equal access to staff development. Any member of staff who breaches this policy may be subject of grievance and/or disciplinary procedures.

Please note: This job description may be varied from time to time as agreed by the post holder and line manager. This job description is subject to annual review.