Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description document  for full information.

·       To manage a caseload of people in a high volume service who have experienced mental health problems and who wish to retain, return to or regain employment, using evidence based interventions.

·       The EA work will be led by and focused on the aspirations of the service user. Considering their strengths, difficulties and employment assets in order to offer the most effective support.

·       Conduct an assessment, discussing the person’s job goals and any concerns regarding their capacity for work.  It is important at this point to establish a job goal (they may wish to change roles or find a job), job tasks gathering evidence about the individuals abilities including previous work experience (it could be that a role they did previously may be more suitable).  Also important is their confidence to perform tasks and any factors that may be issues for employment and whether the individual has or could develop strategies to address them.

·       Match job tasks and in the individual’s ability to do the job and any work solutions that may be required to develop the match.

·       Refer the person to other/additional support if they have particularly complex barriers.

·       Offer the person support agreeing a written action plan with the person detailing the steps to be taken to either get back into or retain employment and the appropriate support route.  Need to include abilities, work solutions, preparation for work, disclosure. The action plan should also be SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time bound).

·       The EA will develop in-depth knowledge of the local labour market, local support and new initiatives, taking into account the needs of the client to broker effective interventions. Including specialist schemes to help with retaining or finding employment.

·       Where appropriate provide help to find the right job and provide advice and support on training and also how to prepare for employer interviews.

·       Work closely with local agencies to identify appropriate job vacancies

·       Advocate on behalf of the person with prospective employers if necessary, aiming to identify work solutions that will overcome or minimise difficulties within the workplace.  In particular it is important to establish any return to work issues, potential behaviour in the work place, possible work solutions.  Employer awareness of the implications under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, health conditions and employment reactions.  Interactions with supervisors and colleagues.  Development needs and in work support.

·       If appropriate signpost the person to other agencies who will be able to provide advice on other benefits/support the person may be entitled too.

·       Provide continued personalised support after an individual has returned to work or secured employment to help them to sustain employment.

·       To develop and maintain the integration of mental health treatment and employment support by establishing effective liaison of Talking Therapies employment support services and other health and social care services.

·       To complete all necessary paperwork including questionnaires, reports and minutes for each interaction.

·       Act as advocate with employers or prospective employers to identify work solutions to overcome or minimise potential difficulties within the workplace. 

·       Deliver teaching and training in collaboration with senior staff.

·       Work independently on a day to day basis.  Goals to be agreed and reviewed in supervision.

·       Maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times when working people who may be distressed or anxious.

·       Collect & report data to support service performance and evaluation

·       To report any progress, change or adverse event promptly to a SEA.

·       The job description is not exhaustive and can be altered in consultation with the post holder.