The Well Centre is an innovative service delivered by Herne Hill Group Practice across Lambeth and Wandsworth sites, where young people can see a counsellor or doctor to discuss any health concerns or worries in a safe and confidential space.
We are now looking for a Health and Wellbeing Practitioner, who has a specific interest in adolescent health to support the clinical staff in delivering supportive , holistic care to our service users.
The post holder will deliver a response to the unmet needs of young people through the implementation of a young person’s social prescribing model and theraputic interventions based on Soluton Focus Therapy and Motivational Interviewing technique and trauma informed practice.
The Health & Wellbeing Practitioner will connect young people in to a broad range of services and interventions in their local area in a timely and effective way, led by the wants and needs of the young person’s themselves.
The role will require working afternoons / evenings to provide access for young people outside of school times.
1. Accept referrals for young people with health & wellbeing concerns who wish to benefit from community support. (caseload of around 28 young people, delivering at least 24 appointments a week)
2. Proactively contact, engage and inspire young people to participate assessing their needs and offering a personalised approach to include face to face meetings, home visits, telephone / video support, or social media as required.
3. Motivate, empower and encourage young people to take positive action to improve their health and wellbeing, by connecting with others, attending groups, promoting self-care, volunteering, accessing advice and information and support services. Set goals and develop plans with young people to help them take control of their health and wellbeing.
4. Work with young people in a supportive, holistic way to address practical and psychological barriers.
5. Maintain regular, supportive contact to address issues as they arise and ensure young people progress and achieve their goals.
6. Ensure all necessary data and information about young people is recorded accurately and confidentially on the EMIS database with awareness of information governance best practice,
7. Attend reflective practice and or clinical supervision, team meetings and line management meetings as required – be involved in the development of good practice.
8. Build strong working relationships with internal and external services and to promote link worker/social prescribing model.
9. Liaise with appropriate statutory and voluntary sector agencies working in Education, Public & Mental Health, Social Care, Youth Offending Teams and build up appropriate networks that promote timely access to support for young people.
10. Support youth engagement to ensuring that they have opportunity to have a voice, get involved and influence operational and strategic direction of the service
11. Work in accordance with all Well Centre’s policies and procedures and attend mandatory trainings.
12. Be flexible – this role will include travelling to other locations to support staff with meetings, client appointments and outreach clinics.
13. Ensure young people are made aware of key processes e.g. complaints, information sharing, getting involved, and to make sure they are asked about how they would prefer information; to ensure special information requirements (e.g. large print, language, braille etc.) are clearly recorded on their files and their needs are met.
14. Work as a member of the Well Centre and Herne Hill Group Practice team and undertake any other reasonable duties as may be required from time to time and at all times to present and conduct yourself in a manner becoming to the post and the professional dignity of the organization.
Person Specification
Essential:
· Background in psychology / counselling / health / social care or working with vulnerable young people
· Experience of working in an urban multi-cultural area
· To be non-judgemental and to take positive approach to all young people regardless of their age, gender, trans status, marital status, pregnancy, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, religion or belief
· Able to follow processes and systems when accepting referrals, assessing young people, developing action plans and following up
· Excellent communication skills, able to negotiate, build relationships, advocate for young people and inspire others
· To be sensitive to the needs of individuals and communities that are perceived as harder to engage
· The ability of effectively communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, including good social interactions and listening skills
· Driven, target focused and highly motivated
· Resilient and confident, able to work in a busy environment with colleagues under pressure and champion the service to other professionals
· Outgoing, energetic, and passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of young people
· Good IT skills and experience of using EMIS database (EMIS trading provided for the right candidate)
· Good knowledge of information governance and ability to maintain confidentiality at all times, within any statutory guidance on safeguarding
· Able to work autonomously and be a self-starter
· Able to take decisions and use professional expertise, but within a structured framework and existing systems and policies.
· Effective team player who contributes to the success of others.
· Experience of motivating, empowering, supporting people to achieve goals welcomed
Qualification / Training / Knowledge
· Youth work, Social work, Health or equivalent at Level 3 or above
· A sound understanding of Child Protection & Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding issues and procedures
· A knowledge of & ability to support appropriate pathways relating to physical, mental health and social care for vulnerable children and young people
· Ongoing commitment to learning in relevant areas such as safeguarding and related issues which may impact on young people such as education, housing, relationships and justice
Commitment to undertake mandatory training
* Salary depending on experience
Job Types: Full-time, Contract
Salary: £17.00 starting salary raising to £17.68hr after passing a probation period
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £17.00-£17.68 per hour
Benefits:
Education:
Experience:
- working with young people: 1 year (required)
- Health / Youth Work / Psychology / Counselling: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person
