Job Description

COMHAD Specialist Worker - SLP SERVICES

We are currently recruiting internally and externally for the following new role:

Job title: 1 x COMHAD SPECIALIST WORKER

Location:

Kingston SLP Complex Care 24 Hr - Homersham Road and Norbiton Road Services KT1 3PL

Type of Service:

24-hour Complex Needs

Contract Types:

Permanent Contract

Part-Time Role 3 days per week

Salary:

17,999.14 per annum

Reports to:

COMHAD Lead and Deputy Manager

We are looking for people with experience

of working within Mental Health Alcohol & Drugs (COMHAD services including to support prevention, recovery, and self-management).

Applicants should have experience of completing assessments, managing a diverse caseload, working in a busy work environment, and possess effective skills in communication. An ability to work independently but collaboratively, to be proactive and show initiative is essential for this role

. The applicant would be required to have a minimum of Level 3 Health & Social Care Qualification or equivalent.

The focus of SLP Complex Care service is on guiding clients through their recovery journey over a 12-month period, helping them set and achieve their goals, become more self-reliant, and reduce their dependence on medical interventions and hospitalisations.

The role will involve working with clients who have Mental Health and Substance Misuse:

Management of a diverse caseload

Working with clients with substance misuse

Providing recovery-orientated individual and group-based support to adults with mental health problems

Collaborative working with all partners involved in the Greenwich Mental Health Hub

Manage and co-ordinate/facilitate group work sessions for adults with substance misuse

Undertaking holistic needs and risk assessments

Commitment to regular training and supervision

Effective contribution to the development and continuous improvement of the service

Shift Pattern:

Core Days to be agreed -

it will be any 3 days

from Monday to Friday 9.00am-5.00pm (pro rata 0.6). Please note as this is a frontline role there are no options of working from home.

Benefits:

Added to SAGE Benefits, X 2 death in service salary, automatic enrolment on a workplace pension scheme (after 3 months). Pro rata holiday is 14 days per year (FTE = 22 days, increasing to 25 days after 3 years of continuous service). Company Sick Pay after 12 months of continuous service. Mandatory Training is provided when and where appropriate. Future workforce development opportunities which align with the organisation's ethos and values and its growth.

Applying for a role at Bridge Support will open the door to joining an organisation that has been awarded, at excellence level, the healthy workplace charter 2019, Inclusive Excellence Award 2024-2025 and retained its Mindful Employer status for a further two years 2024-2026.

Bridge cares passionately about all aspects of their staff's working life, and we don't just write it we act on it too.

This spans from how workers feel about their duties and providing them with meaningful work, giving our employees a voice in accepting and utilising feedback, to their working environment ensuring quality and safety of the physical environments for all, and finally a leadership team with a focus on its people. Put us to the test and apply today!

Bridge Support is committed to being an inclusive workplace, and our recruitment process is designed to be accessible to all interested applicants.

Initially, candidates who have been shortlisted will undergo a pre-screening telephone interview, and depending on the outcome candidates will be invited for a face-to-face interview.

Should you require any reasonable adjustments for all or at any stage of the recruitment or interview process, please do not hesitate to let us know.

As stated in the attached , all vacancies will be subject to pre-Right to Work Checks, Career Checks, and Enhanced DBS checks.

If you know of any family or friends who would be interested in this exciting opportunity, please feel free to share this vacancy with them.

Please view the advert via our website:

https://bridgesupport.org/bridge-recruitment/. To apply,

CVs

and

a personal statement

explaining why you are suitable for this role should be emailed to vacancies@bridgesupport.org, all applications will be considered, and the

closing date is Wednesday 30th July. Shortlisting: Thursday 31st July-Friday 1st August 2025 and Interviews to be held Week Beginning 4th August at 47 Homersham Road, Norbiton KT1 3PL

Only full applications will be considered

Approximate start date:

About Bridge Support

Bridge Support is the main service provider for mental health in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, most of Essex and Kingston with a current workforce of over 200 staff. They work with several strategically selected partners to support people with long-term mental health problems by providing the framework needed to work towards independent living.

JOB DESCRIPTION COMHAD Specialist Worker

1. Post Details

Post Title: COMHAD Specialist Worker

Location: Homersham Road and Norbiton Road Services

Line Manager: COMHAD LEAD

Service Summary

The service is underpinned by the recovery approach using person-centred and strengths-based

practices and work within a positive risk-taking framework to support service users

to achieve their co-produced goals.

1. Objectives of the service

1.1 To deliver evidence-based treatment and interventions based on a holistic assessment to support the personalised recovery and to promote and ensure integration of service users and promote independent living skills.

1.2 Support COMHAD Lead with identifying, assessing and coordinating he longer-term support needs of individuals with a dual diagnosis and other associated complex needs with the aim of facilitating improved outcomes for this client group.

1.3 To support regular review of placements to monitor the effectiveness, progress and movement through the appropriate care pathways for service users with a dual diagnosis.

1.4 To reduce delays in discharge from acute inpatient units and inpatient wards for service users with complex and coexisting substance misuse needs

1.5 To provide support, advice and guidance to other CMHTs, supported housing providers and other partner agencies.

1.6 Coordinate community resources to problem-solve blocks or barriers

1.7 Liaise with partner agencies such as voluntary agencies to ensure all practical needs to support discharge are met

1.8 Confident in delivering structured Substance Misuse group work to include internal training to staff when necessary

2. Role objectives

2.1 To encourage service users to identify and define their own goals and work towards being as resilient and independent of services as possible, reducing their reliance on clinical interventions and hospitalisations

2.2 Work alongside other Drug and Alcohol services, to monitor care pathways through regular attendance at case meetings, establishing joint working arrangements on a case by case basis, setting up shared support plans that will enable individuals to engage with the holistic support to achieve greater recovery.

2.3 To provide focused outcome-based support measured against service users' goals, recovery and achievements

2.4 To support service users with specific needs arising from dual diagnosis

2.5 To meet the needs of the service you will be expected to work across different services and sites

2.6 Proactively recognising the indicators of deteriorating mental health and facilitate appropriate action, whilst liaising with relevant agencies

This role will continue to evolve with the development of Bridge services and from time to time the job description will be reviewed and amended, to reflect changes in demand. Any significant changes will be discussed and given appropriate notice of the changes.

3. Main Relationships

3.1 Report to the COMHAD LEAD and Deputy Manager

3.2 Develop and sustain positive working relationships with service users, staff, carers, and external partners.

3.3 Develop community links and liaise regularly with a range of agencies and individuals such as voluntary and third sector services in the community including drug and alcohol services, supported employment schemes, gyms and healthy living programmes, benefits and advice agencies and the Recovery College.

3.4 Establish and maintain effective working relationships with substance misuse services

3.5 Work closely with supported accommodation placements and providers to support and advise them on interventions and approaches to meet service user's needs. The team will work collaboratively with providers to create a joined-up care plan that reflects the individual service users' needs and goals. With the Service Users consent key workers are invited to participate in all aspects of care including assessment, care planning, CPA review, crisis planning and discharge planning.

4. Main Duties

Services to service users

4.1 Provide flexible social, emotional and practical support to service users within the community

4.2 Take responsibility for an allocated number of service users in order to meet the needs of the service

4.3 Ensure service users can take positive risks to achieve maximum independence

4.4 Provide outcome focused support with specific emphasis on time defined targets as set out within bridge agreed outcomes for the service including but not limited to move on, crisis management and building resilience

4.5 Monitor progress against support plan outcome which may include monitoring but not administering of medication

4.6 Provide practical guidance and signposting as necessary to service users in connection with welfare benefits and other needs

4.7 Make referrals to external agencies including social services, GP, drug and alcohol services as necessary. Liaise and maintain positive relationships with these agencies on an on-going basis

4.8 Provide support and advice to reduce the risks of anti-social behaviour

4.9 Support service users to access and be actively involved with community services as part of their recovery pathway

4.10 Encourage service users to learn practical and social skills, and to support them to liaise with relevant agencies

4.11 Enable service users to access and make use of local rehabilitation opportunities suited to their own support plan

4.12 Encourage service users to access educational services where appropriate

4.13 Encourage and assist service users in finding voluntary or paid employment where appropriate

4.14 Ensure all service users are fully informed and familiar with Bridge Services practices and procedures with reference to the User Involvement Policy, Policies and Procedures Review Policy, Health & Safety Regulations and Equal Opportunities Policy

4.15 Work with service users to plan and organise social activities ensuring that all venues/events are identified, researched and risk assessments completed, in line with Bridge Supports policy and in conjunction with approval from the Line Manager.

4.16 Support those who need interventions and adjustments with treatment resistant symptoms.

4.17 Support service users with Psychological Therapies including individual and family interventions

4.18 Promote healthy living

Dual Diagnosis

4.19 Establish and maintain positive relationships with substance misuse services

4.20 Support and develop an integrated approach with other service providers to ensure comprehensive support to service users with dual diagnosis

4.21 Support service users without a formal diagnosis to seek support from substance misuse services, where appropriate

4.22 Share best practice and experiences with the team

Liaison

4.23 Maintain links with appropriate support services for service users and staff, e.g. GPs, Social Services, Registered Social Landlords, or other relevant housing association or landlords, Community Mental Health Teams, Substance Misuse Services, Commissioners (where appropriate), leisure, educational or work activities

4.24 Support service users through effective working relationships with their carers, friends, families and others involved in their care

4.25 Provide information and signposting to relatives and carers where individual service users have explicitly requested the input and involvement of significant people in their lives

4.26 Where appropriate liaise regularly with agencies involved in the criminal justice system including the Police, Anti-Social Behaviour teams and Probation Services

Organisation Management

4.27 Adhere to all Bridge Support policies and procedures ensuring the support service is run in line with the highest standards and key performance indicators

4.28 Review referrals and conduct assessments to determine service user eligibility for the service where appropriate

4.29 Take all reasonable precautions for the health and safety of service users, staff and the security of the service users place of residence and its contents

4.30 Compile and implement comprehensive time specific support plans with service users ensuring that all support needs are identified, addressed and reviewed in line with Bridge Supports policy

4.31 Identify, compile, implement and review risk assessments within the working environment including service users place of residence, staff activities and community activities

4.32 Maintain all written records with up-to-date, clear, comprehensive and appropriate information in line with Bridge Supports policy

4.33 Identify gaps in current service delivery and report to Line Manager in line with Bridge Supports strategic aims

4.34 Take responsibility for self-directed learning specific to service user group / nature of work

4.35 Attend regular supervision with Line Manager

4.36 Attend regular psychological team debrief with contracted provider

5. General Terms of Reference

5.1 Seek to improve his/her own performance, contribution, knowledge, and skills, and participate in training and developmental activities as required

5.2 Ensure the implementation of the Diversity and Equality policy statement

5.3 Comply with Health and Safety policies and procedures

5.4 Ensure the implementation of the policies and procedures

5.5 Carry out other relevant duties, commensurate with the nature and grade of the post, as and when required. This role will continue to evolve with the growth of Bridge Support and from time to time the job description will be reviewed and amended, to reflect changes in demand.

PERSON SPECIFICATION: COMHAD Specialist worker

CRITERIA ESSENTIAL (E) DESIRABLE (D)

Qualifications/

Experience o Experience of working with adults with enduring mental health needs or a similar field (E)

Experience of working with people with Dual Diagnosis and complex needs (E) A good standard of education and relevant skills, knowledge and experience (E) Experience of supporting service user move on to independence within a time defined recovery path (E) Minimum of Level 3 Health and Social Care Qualification or equivalent(E) Full UK Driving Licence (D)
Knowledge

Understanding of Dual Diagnosis and complex needs (E) Knowledge of Mental Health Act & Care Act (E)
Skills/ Abilities

Able to work flexibly (E) Able to develop good working relationships with service users (E) Ability to recognise ill health and need for intervention (E) Joined up thinking (E) Demonstrate sensitivity and ability to work alongside and with our service user group (E) Ability to establish and maintain rapport and relate positively to people from diverse backgrounds and cultures (E) Maintain professional boundaries at all times (E) Able to use supervision effectively (E) Able to work independently, take initiative and responsibility for time management, own workload and continuing professional development(E) Experience of contributing to and participating in effective teamwork (E) Good verbal and written communication skills with service users and colleagues (E) To give effective face to face verbal and written handovers to colleagues (E) Able to work within administrative and financial procedures (E) Understand their own needs and the impact of workplace stress (E)
Equal Opportunities

Awareness of diversity and equal opportunities best practice and implications in supporting service delivery (E)
Other

Commitment to self-directed learning about our service user group (E) Commitment to taking up training opportunities to further knowledge relevant to post (E)
Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From 17,999.14 per year

Expected hours: 21 per week

Benefits:

Casual dress Company pension Employee discount Referral programme Sick pay
Experience:

Social Care with Vulnerable Adult: 1 year (required)
Language:

Good English (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 30/07/2025