Mental Health Navigator in Northampton

The position of Mental Health Navigator will be working in partnership with the National Health Foundation Trust (NHFT) to deliver a county wide service. The role operates on a rotating shift basis 7 days per week from 8am to 8pm, whilst working in the Integrated Response Hub (IRH). You will be required to deliver the service through initial telephone-based triage directing callers to relevant NHS, 3rd sector or other community service. The role also supports the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) operating Monday to Friday 9am-5pm at the CMHT bases throughout the County. You will be required to deliver the service either face to face, via Team/Zoom or over the telephone. You will rotate between the Integrated Response Hub & the CMHT base on a 2 weekly basis.

Key Duties Include

• Integrated Response Hub

• Provide telephone-based assessments to understand what support is required for the individual and facilitate links with specialist services, both in the community and with the National Health Service.
• Support individuals through providing structured interventions to support behavioural change using motivational interviewing communication style.
• Promote local mental health services and activities, both statutory and non-statutory.
• Develop, update, and contribute to a resource library.
• Contribute positively to working relationships within the team, managers and other organisations.
• Work collaboratively with the National Health Foundation Trust, Emergency Services, and 3rd Sector services.
• Record accurate detailed notes on a computer system.

• Support individuals through providing structured interventions to support behavioural change using motivational interviewing communication style.
• Offer low level emotional support. This can be via telephone, Teams/Zoom or face to face.
• Following assessment navigate patients to other 3rd sector services, training courses & other community resources that will benefit the patient.
• Assist patients to access the services identified.
• Work with patients to build confidence to attend services identified.
• Review whether identified services are working for the patient.
• Under supervision of NHFT staff see patients on a short term basis (3-4 times over a period of time) to offer support & guidance.
• Work with the NHFT to support them with their caseloads.
• Work with NHFT on a piece of work identified for the patient that the Navigator can lead on.
• Participate in any other work identified by the NHFT Practitioner that is deemed suitable for a Navigator.
• Ensure all meetings/interventions with patients is recorded on Systm1.
• Report any concerns directly to an NHFT Practitioner.
• Attend any meeting identified for the Navigator to attend.

Expectations

• Show passion for what Northamptonshire Mind does and the changes we are making for people with mental health issues.
• Work collaboratively across teams, services, locations, and organisations.
• Be willing to grow & develop the service.
• Stand up for what they believe is best and trust in themselves and each other.
• Be open to others, ourselves and show a commitment to learning.
• Communicate effectively, ensuring their messages are understood and that they strive to understand others.
• Value diversity and treat others with respect, show sensitivity towards differences, promoting and encouraging diversity, building on people’s skills and talents to enhance our work.
• Take responsibility for their decisions.
• Always maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality.
• Strong commitment to empowering mental health service users and their recovery.

Experience and Skills

• Essential (E)

• To have a positive attitude towards people with mental health issues.
• Resilience and ability to deal with challenging situations.
• Ability to work within professional boundaries.
• Computer literate.
• Full Driving Licence.

• Demonstrate organisation and scheduling skills effective planning, to be creative and solutions focused.
• Previous experience of working with vulnerable adults in a 1:1 setting and person‑centred way.
• Experience of creating and managing personal improvement/wellbeing plans for service users.
• Ability to work within professional boundaries.

What we offer you

• Full and part time roles available, flexible working and job share opportunities.
• 31 days leave per year including public holidays, rising to 33 days after 5 years’ service, pro rata for part time employees.
• Comprehensive service‑specific induction and ongoing regular supervision, on the job training both internal and external, and development.

This role description is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities but indicates the key responsibilities for the role.