Job Description

The role would involve the keyworkers of a small number of Service Users. You will also be involved in assessments and delivering a range of interventions to both individuals and their families and to groups.



You will have the opportunity to work alongside many other clinicians including family workers, CBT therapists, consultant Psychiatrist and psychologists. The team are very psychologically minded and we regularly meet for team formulations. You will receive training in specialist Early Intervention assessments and outcome measures and be supported where possible to pursue other areas of interest you may have within this field. You will have the opportunity to attend Network days with other Early Intervention teams, both within the trust and the whole of the South West of England. You will be involved in National audits and shared learning and team developments from these audits.



You will work as part of an MDT where there is a real whole team approach to Service User care. You are encouraged to bring any personal interests you have to the team and where appropriate bring this passion to enhance Service User care. Ideally you will have some experience of working in Early Intervention or if not an understanding of the model and an interest in working in this field. Driving is a must and your own transport is essential for this role.



To provide comprehensive and specialist assessment of people between 14-65 years referred to the Early Intervention Team with a first episode psychosis using the CAARMS Liaison with services and work collaboratively with others.



To provide advice and support to carers/ relatives of young people.

To support the full implementation of the PWP.

To assist in the transfer of appropriate cases between services.

To ensure that legal and Trust requirements affecting service user and staff are adhered to, and ensure a safe working environment for service users and staff.

To maintain accurate records relating to clinical and professional activity and to monitor clinical workload using agreed systems.

To communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and professionals.



We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.



At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Job Purpose:

1. To assess young people with psychosis or possible psychosis



2. To plan and implement specialist programmes of care for young people following the first appearance of psychosis or for a limited period where psychosis is suspected, including carrying a specialist caseload of clients and acting as care co-ordinator



3. To liaise and work in collaboration with other agencies in planning and assessing programmes of care



4. To provide specialist advice to young people, carers and professionals



5. To develop awareness sessions around psychosis and early intervention to be delivered within education and youth services



6. To provide clinical supervision to junior staff, students and support workers



7. To undertake audit, research and development activities.



The Early Intervention for Psychosis Service



The Early Intervention for Psychosis Service will provide help and support to people over 14 years and under 65 years of age for 3 years following a first episode psychosis or for a limited period where there may be a possible psychosis. The team will act as a resource to the adult mental health community, CAMHS and inpatient services, by raising awareness of the needs of this client group, providing information and consultation about psychosis. It will Case Manage individuals presenting with signs of a first episode of psychosis in line with local and national guidelines on Early Intervention. The team will develop close links with other agencies in the locality such as CAMHS, Connexions and the College and the Social Services 16 - 18 team.



There are a number of teams across Avon and Wiltshire Partnership and there is a strong network supporting teams.



Key Local Information



The post holder will be based at Chatsworth House and may work across the whole of Swindon. It is expected that the post holder will work across a number of sites including the inpatient unit and local community bases. The post involves service user contact creating and following treatment plans formulated with other team members.



Key Result Areas

A) Clinical Duties:

See

B) Policy and Service Development:

1. To contribute to the development of protocols / procedures applicable to the Early Intervention for Psychosis Service



2. To propose and implement policies, procedures and protocols in own specialist area



3. To provide specialist advice to the Early Intervention for Psychosis Service Manager on service development issues which are relevant to this client group.

C) Teaching and training:

1. To participate in the development and delivery of teaching and training where appropriate. In particular, in conjunction with other members of the Early Intervention for Psychosis Service and with appropriate staff from Education, CAMHS, to plan, develop and deliver training around psychosis and the importance of early intervention to young people and staff within schools, colleges, youth organisations and other community groups.



2. To agree a plan for personal development with the Early Intervention for Psychosis Service Manager and Professional lead and to participate in an annual review.



3. To undertake such further training / CPD as might be required to maintain one's own appropriate level of expertise.



4. To provide clinical supervision for students, support workers and junior staff.

D) Research and Audit:

1. To participate in peer review, audit and personal review activities as required.



2. To undertake research and developmental activities on a regular basis



3. To return accurate activity levels as required.



4. To encourage a culture of evidence based practice in all parts of the service. This will include systematically monitoring clinical outcomes.

E) Professional:

1. To fully observe Professional Codes of Conduct and Professional Practice Guidelines.



2. To participate regularly in Early Intervention for Psychosis Service meetings and in any relevant Professional meetings.



3. To contribute to the effective functioning of the team and service through attendance at relevant meetings e.g. Early Intervention project group meetings, CAMH Service meetings etc as appropriate.



4. To be aware of and comply with all policies, procedures and directives of the Early



Intervention for Psychosis Service as well as the Trust.



5. To maintain and further develop high standards of professional practice through co-operative work with other mental health professionals and involvement in professional audit.



Most challenging Part of this Role



To provide comprehensive and specialist assessment of people from 14 years up to the age of 65 years referred to the service with a first episode psychosis or possibly emerging psychosis. This will include the use of formal psychiatric and psychological rating scales, as well as liaison with carers and staff from other agencies that may be involved with the young person.



To plan, prioritise and deliver specialist programmes of care to young people up to the age of 65 years for a three year period following a first episode of psychosis, or for a period of six months where there is a possibly emerging psychosis. This will include case formulation, design of intervention, delivery and evaluation. To contribute to the development of a culture where the personal and positive aspirations of service users are the primary focus of the care plan, while developing and maintaining individual skills in delivering a range of therapeutic interventions. This must be achieved whilst respecting the dimensions of personal choice, diversity and culture and the benefits which these bring to the therapeutic relationship.



This post is open to newly qualified social workers. In line with trust policy, all newly qualified social workers will be recruited initially at Band 5 level, regardless of advertised role banding. All NQSWs are expected to successfully complete their ASYE within 2 years of employment, unless there are exceptional circumstances in which case it may be agreed to extend this for a further 2 years.



On successful completion of the ASYE, for which you will be given full support of an experienced Social Worker as well as Divisional Social Work Lead, and peer support from other ASYE candidates, you will then be eligible to progress to a Band 6 position.



If you have been appointed to an advertised Band 6 role this will be an automatic progression, following confirmation of your successful completion. If you have been appointed to a Band 5 you will then be eligible to apply for a subsequent Band 6 vacancy.