Mental Health and Complex Needs Caseworker
Hours, Salary and Location
37.5 hours per week full time. Occasional ‘on-call’ during evenings and weekends may be required, as caseworkers will sometimes need to support clients outside office hours.
Salary £28,840.28 per annum dependent on relevant experience.
Pension, with employer’s contribution rising to 5% on completion of probationary period.
25 days (fte) annual leave, rising by one day each year of service to a maximum of 30 days (fte).
Location – our office base is Cowley, Oxford OX4 3UT, and our services are Oxfordshire-wide.
Cost of living increases are approved annually by the Board of Trustees subject to sufficient funding being available.
The Role
This role is an excellent opportunity to work at the leading expert third sector organisation in Oxfordshire In supporting people experiencing complex needs. In this role, you would be providing flexible support to adults living in the community with multiple and complex needs arising from combinations of issues, who are struggling to engage with other services and have significant unmet needs. Issues include mental health, homelessness, addictions, learning and communication difficulties, trauma, domestic violence, exploitation, physical health, brain injury, social isolation, offending and anti-social behaviour, child protection and family breakdown.
You will have a non-judgemental and empowering approach, supporting clients both creatively and flexibility with the issues they are currently facing through 1-1 case work. This role is perfect if you are looking to further develop your skills and knowledge of working with complexity in the mental health sector in Oxfordshire.
We are a caring, passionate and light-hearted team, that works to a team approach, sharing a wealth of knowledge and maintaining close working relationships with each other. We are committed to the development and wellbeing of our staff, alongside providing an excellent service to our clients.
Elmore Community Services
Started in 1989, Elmore works with people with complex needs and mental ill health who do not easily fit into the remit of agencies in Oxfordshire. Elmore is seen as a leading expert in working directly with people falling through the gaps of existing services and ensuring they are supported to tackle their problems, improve their lives, and feel part of their communities. Assertive outreach and a supportive team approach lie at the heart of our work. We also feel passionate about identifying gaps and barriers in current provision, creating models of working that address these issues, and advocating with decision-makers to address the needs of our client groups more effectively.
It is currently an exciting time at Elmore community services; we offer an array of vital core services to clients who are experiencing complex needs as well as new services for those experiencing mental health issues in our local community. Please see our website for more details.
Key Responsibilities
To provide a high-quality support service to clients
To work with a caseload of allocated clients (caseload levels are reflective of the complex, chaotic lives of the people we support), including initial assessments, and regular reviews.
To creatively support and with engage clients by developing a therapeutic relationship based on mutual respect, clear boundaries and empowerment.
To support people with and advise on wide range of support needs (for example mental health problems, homelessness or housing issues, social isolation, family breakdown, offending behaviour, challenging behaviour, finance and debt, alcohol and drug abuse) to achieve goals as defined in support plans that clients have developed.
To actively manage and update clients’ risks in line with Elmore’s risk assessment policy and procedure.
To act as an advocate for clients to ensure that their voices are heard
To support clients to access a range of agencies and services to help meet their needs.
To complete case-notes, reports, monitoring, and other records as required.
To contribute to the high performance of the Elmore team
To work within the team approach
To complete duty roles as required
To work within policies and procedures of Elmore and within Health and Safety regulations.
To undertake any other relevant task as defined by your line manager in relation to the support worker role
To adhere to Elmore’s diversity policy
To manage expenses in line with policy and procedure
To attend and represent Elmore at external networking meetings
To work as part of a multi-agency team and attend multi agency meetings regarding clients for example Child Protection meetings, mental health review meetings, problem solving meetings
To actively promote Elmore to stakeholders that you come into contact with
Personal development
To keep up to date with relevant legislation that might affect clients (including mental health, benefits, housing and criminal justice)
To attend and actively participate in supervision sessions and relevant training
To participate in regular team meetings, planning meetings, away days and policy reviews.
Complex Needs Caseworker – Person Specification
Client work
Essential:
At least 18 months’ experience of working in the community with people who have mental health problems and who have additional support needs related to drugs, alcohol, homelessness, offending behaviour, antisocial behaviour, teenage pregnancy, child protection or challenging or bizarre behaviour.
A clear understanding of the issues faced by people with support needs, particularly those which might arise when dealing with clients in a community setting.
Knowledge of appropriate services that Elmore clients may need support to access.
Experience of working with people who are difficult to engage.
To proactively risk assess and adhere to risk procedures.
To have a good understanding of safeguarding and what may constitute “abuse”.
Desirable:
An understanding of relevant legislation that affects clients including Homelessness, Mental Health Act and welfare benefits.
To have experience of working in line with the recovery approach.
Team work
Essential:
Experience of working as part of a team.
Organisational
Essential:
The ability to keep accurate casework records, database records and maintain filing systems.
A good understanding of the principles of equality and diversity and the Single Equality Act 2010.
Desirable:
The ability to work within financial policies and procedures.
To be IT literate (word, excel, Microsoft outlook and use of databases).
Personal development
Essential:
Experience of working independently and managing own case load.
The ability to work autonomously in line with policies and procedures.
The ability to be flexible and adapt to change.
External
Desirable:
Experience of working as part of a multi-agency team.
Other
Desirable:
Car driver with full license and access to vehicle for work use.
How to apply
Please complete the application form, which you can download from our website at: www.elmorecommunityservices.org.uk. Alternatively CV’s can be submitted to recruitment@elmorecommunityservices.org.uk with an accompanying cover letter. We advise you to address the specific points of the person specification within your application or cover letter.
Please return the completed documents, clearly noting which vacancy you are applying for by email to recruitment@elmorecommunityservices.org.uk,. In light of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, we cannot currently accept applications by post.
You may also like to look at our website for more information about the organisation www.elmorecommunityservices.org.uk.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Closing date for application: 3 February 2025.
Interviews will take place in the week commencing: TBC
Elmore is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for everyone regardless of age, disability, gender identity, race, religion and beliefs, sex and sexual orientation, and marital status. Elmore treats all clients with respect and dignity, aiming to tailor support to individual needs and preferences. We constantly strive to involve service users in planning and evaluating our services.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £28,840.28 per year
Benefits:
Additional leave
Bereavement leave
Casual dress
Company events
Company pension
Cycle to work scheme
Employee discount
Health & wellbeing programme
Sick pay
Schedule:
Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 03/02/2025