Health Engagement Practitioner

Role Background

This post is a new position within our existing Severe Mental Illness (SMI) & Physical Health Checks (PHC) service which will help to build on the current service model to ensure that we’re supporting as many disengaged SMI patients as possible across the district to re-engage with their annual PHCs and onwards interventions. As those living with an SMI face one of the greatest health inequalities to date, we’re working to ensure that we work together to tackle this by enhancing the physical and mental health of those we support in an empowering and resilience-building way.

This role is a hybrid role, operating between home or office working and within relevant GP practices. There is an expectation that on occasion (depending on needs) you will support service members via home visits to support them to access elements of their physical health check. Home visits are completed in pairs with one of our Health Engagement Officers.

​Role Outcomes

• Work collaboratively with Primary Care to increase the accessibility and effectiveness of Physical Health Checks and onward interventions for people with an SMI
• Directly engage and support those with an SMI, using a person-centred and evidence-based approach, including motivational interviewing and intensive behavioural support to encourage their participation in health checks and interventions
• Contribute to the empowerment of people with an SMI, through delivering tailored support, and by prioritising their needs in service design and delivery
• Innovate and implement solutions that facilitate access to Physical Health Checks in Primary Care and interventions for people with an SMI
• Maintain high-quality records to allow streamlined working and data extraction for reporting purposes
• Respond to safeguarding concerns and incidents in a timely and professional manner, ensuring risk assessments are also in place where required
• Work with staff across the local system to undertake any relevant parts of the health check, looking to promote attendance both within booked appointments and through community events
• Support Health Engagement Officers within their PCNs to ensure the maximum number of disengaged SMI patients are receiving person-centred support to help re-engage them with their checks and available interventions
• Foster and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, both internal and external, representing our service and organisation, and facilitating effective communication channels
• Ensure that in all aspects of the role you embody the aims, objectives, and core values of Bradford District and Craven Mind
• Champion the Bradford District and Craven Mind ‘Code of Conduct’ to ensure that it is well communicated, understood and implemented at all times by both staff, volunteers and clients
• Take responsibility, with colleagues, for ensuring that all Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Information Governance and Equality & Diversity requirements are met and all other Company Policies complied with
• Undertake any other reasonable duties or tasks deemed necessary by the senior management team

​Person Specification

BDC Mind is committed to promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and improving the quality of life for people with mental health challenges. We value diversity, inclusion and lived experiences when recruiting our staff and volunteers.

Qualifications

Essential:

• GCSE Maths & English, or a similar qualification in health, community work, or public healthDesirable:
• Evidence of ongoing professional development

​Experience

Essential:

• Previous work supporting others who have complex needs, including mental health issues
• Client engagement and co-production
• Supporting others in an engaging, non-judgmental and solution-focussed manner
• Experience conducting risk assessments and responding to safeguarding concerns
• Collaborative or multi-agency working

​Skills and Abilities

Essential:

• The ability to empower and support others in ways that promote their engagement, resilience and independence
• Ability to form and maintain strong working relationships
• Excellent written, verbal or non-verbal communication skills
• Excellent IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Office packages and online systems

Desirable

• Ability to share learning and enhance general understanding across systems of mental health
• Working understanding of SystmOne

​Knowledge

Essential:

• Understanding of the current issues faced by those living with an SMI
• Understanding of confidentiality, information governance and data protection
• Understanding of the link between mental and physical health
• An understanding of mental health and the current key issues and challenges across the Bradford and Craven district, particularly for those from diverse communities

​Attitude and Personal Attributes 

Essential:

• Inclusive, welcoming and positive approach
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic, with a can-do attitude and commitment to providing effective, person-centred services
• Passionate and dedicated
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusivity
• Willingness to work flexibly
• Experience in stakeholder and community engagement
• Professional or personal experience of mental health challenges and an understanding of the impact of these
• Working with those living with a Severe Mental Illness
• An understanding of what it means to live with an SMI, and the impact this can have on physical health
• Knowledge of local organisations that support those living with an SMI