Mental Health Link Worker / Navigator

Mental Health Navigator / Link Worker – Overview

This role is offered on a fixed term/secondment basis for 6 months. Internal applicants who wish to be considered for a secondment opportunity should discuss with their line manager the suitability of a possible secondment. This is an exciting opportunity to offer a Mental Health Navigator / Link Worker post within Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT). You will be based at Weavers Croft, alongside the clinical lead, and will mainly work in and around Gloucestershire with an expectation of some out of county visits.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with VCSE organisations and primary care, supporting individuals who have a serious mental illness (SMI) or are at serious risk of developing one.
• Co‑produce goals with individuals based on their priorities, interests, values and motivations.
• Act as a key role in the Locality Community Partnership meeting held in each locality, bringing together key partners to plan and deliver collaborative care for people with mental health complexities.
• Proactively spend time with specified VCSE organisations, attending meetings, forums and activities that include clients of the VCSE services.
• Build capability, confidence and resilience in the VCSE to identify and support individuals in emotional distress and recognise and respond to suicide risk.
• Increase VCSE awareness of and access to mental health services and available training to enable them to signpost/refer effectively.
• Support earlier identification (by VCSE and Mental Health Services) of people in crisis by enabling concerns to be communicated quickly.
• Improve connectivity between mental health and third sector services.
• Support the personalisation agenda and help GP practices connect with GHC mental health services.
• Carry a limited caseload only to support people referrals across services and broker access to services.

Qualifications

• NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of competency‑based training in a relevant health or social care area, plus theoretical and practical knowledge to diploma level equivalent, obtained through formal competency training, short courses and experience, or successful completion of approved associate practitioner training or relevant foundation degree or commitment to obtain within 2 years.
• IT skills, knowledge of relevant legislation such as the Mental Health Act, Child Protection and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Experience in mental health or social care services at Bands 2, 3 or 4, ideally in a community setting.
• Knowledge of the CPA process.
• Knowledge and understanding of care planning and risk assessment (completed an approved course in relation to Risk Assessment).
• Knowledge and understanding of using a Recovery‑based approach to care.
• Knowledge and understanding of a social inclusion approach.
• Clinical skills training (awareness of physical health and wellbeing).
• Awareness of issues of diversity.

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