Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1.1         Work only under the direction and supervision of qualified staff.

1.2         Assist in the assessment of and implementation of individual’s care and risk plans.

1.3         Support and enable individuals to administer their own financial affairs, maintain own physical health care needs and treatments, daily living and social skills, administer medication and address spiritual needs.

1.4         Assist individuals to identify and develop an action plan, which maximises employment opportunities and engagement of meaningful activities in the community.

1.5         Act as Associate Worker, observing and interacting with service users and their families and carers, and document as required in the MDT notes.

1.6         Recognise and respect service users as individuals with the same rights, needs and emotions as everyone else. Promote their dignity and esteem at all times.

1.7         Act in a manner to raise standards of care and make the services culturally sensitive, relevant and accessible to meet the needs of service users.

1.8         Ensure service users make informed decisions whenever possible based on open and honest dialogue with them and their carers, and ensure their choices are respected where possible.

1.9         Assist qualified staff in the assessment of service users’ needs and the implementation of individual plans of care.

1.10       Contribute to the management of risk and the protection of individuals from abuse.

1.11       Provide support and safeguard individuals who are at risk from abuse.

1.12       Identify trigger points to reduce and respond to risk and violence. Protect yourself from levels of risk and violence in your own work environment.

1.13       Promote social inclusion, rights and responsibilities. Encourage people with mental health needs to access mainstream provision.

1.14       Maintain accurate records as per legal policy, recording procedures and protocols.

1.15       Assist service users as directed with daily living skills.

1.16       Facilitate recreational and social activities as required.

1.17       Record and document as required (and after appropriate training) physical observations, such as weight, temperature, pulse and respiration and blood pressure. Report to the Senior Practitioner/Team Leaders any significant findings.

1.18       Escort service users to various therapeutic treatment programmes as determined by their care plan. These may be internal and external to the team base.

1.19       Participate in supervision and appraisal processes to enable reflection and person development.

1.20       Be aware of and adhere to agreed procedures for delivering care.

1.21       Be aware of one’s own limitations in terms of experience and knowledge. Make this known if asked to perform duties beyond one’s competence.

1.22       Recognise people’s diversity and promote equality of opportunity and access to services to challenge discrimination, prejudice and oppressive behaviour.

1.23       Provide advice and information about mental health needs and related services and facilities, to enable access and promote individual rights to represent their own interests and needs.

1.24       Maintain active contact with individuals to ensure continuity of care.

1.25       Contribute to the assessment and planning of individual’s abilities and needs.

1.26       Establish and sustain working relationships to support and reinforce positive behavioural goals, to achieve the effectiveness of agreed therapeutic interventions.  Evaluate with other members of the team.

1.27       Support individuals to maintain social contact and obtain appropriate information and literature to interact with others, preventing isolation.

1.28       Enable and assist people who are at risk to themselves and others, to develop control over their own behaviour by challenging behaviours, which create risk.

1.29       Support individuals in time of stress and contribute towards the prevention of distress.

1.30       Assist, prepare, plan and enable an individual’s transfer/move from a hospital or supported accommodation to a more independent living environment.