Eating Disorder Support Officer

As a Specialist Support

Officer, you will provide peer support to service users, helping them realise

their goals as agreed within their care plan. You will work with the

individuals to access our services including one-to-one peer support, which may

include our Guided Self-help, psychoeducation programmes and support groups,

befriending, and volunteering opportunities as part of their supported

self-care.

The role requires the ability to relate

to and work with a range of professionals to ensure provision of high quality

and safe services. You will be working as part of a multidisciplinary team that

includes clinical and non-clinical colleagues from referring organisations and

colleagues from across our organisation.

The

post holder will have at least one years experience of working with people

with eating disorders and/ or mental health difficulties. A good understanding

of the pathways and services is an advantage and full induction and training

will be provided to ensure quality and safe services are delivered.

The

post holder will be working with children and young people covering the age

range of 5 to 25 years old on site in therapy rooms and online via video with

one-to-one, guided self-help and peer-led support groups. The opportunity to

deliver workshops and training to outside organisations is also part of the

role with training and support.

AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Service

1.

Manage

a caseload of children and young people who access our services.

2.

Arrange

and conduct initial assessment appointments, assessing the most appropriate

services and provide the relevant options available.

3.

Plan

and facilitate a programme of psychoeducation workshops in the agreed community

and stakeholder locations.

4.

Support

NHS Primary Care and Secondary Care referrals to our service.

5.

Develop

a rapport with stakeholders to build appropriate person-centred support plans

and risk assessments which will detail their full range of needs.

6.

Liaise

with community teams to contribute towards decision making, helping to ensure

an inclusive approach is always maintained.

7.

Ensure

services are well planned and promoted to the relevant organisations to

maximise intake of the commissioned services available.

8.

Positively

promote the service by participating in community activities and working with

other local services, contributing to a greater understanding of disordered

eating and eating disorders and body image.

9.

Safeguard

and ensure the quality of care of the service user and where appropriate

parents/carers.

10.

Undertake

risk assessment and risk management for service users, working in collaboration

with other care team members to manage risks identified.

11.

To

work as a full and active member of the multidisciplinary team.

Training,

and Supervision

1. To receive regular

clinical, professional, and managerial supervision and where appropriate, other

senior professional colleagues and line managers as appropriate.

2. To attend

post-qualification training (CPD) opportunities and contribute to the coaching

of trainee students and volunteers attached to the service, as appropriate and

in consultation with the Clinical Supervisor.

3.To undertake training

and provide training (e.g., CBT, peer support) for other qualified and

unqualified staff, user groups and volunteers as required and commensurate with

4.

To maintain and develop skills in the area of professional competencies.

Management,

policy and service development

1. To contribute to the

evaluation and monitoring of organisational practices and policy within the

service.

2. To provide and

maintain adequate statistics and records of work as required by the organisation.

3. Exercises delegated

responsibility for the safe, appropriate use of care plan material and other

equipment deployed in the post holders area of duty. Inform managers of

equipment and resources needed to maintain work undertaken and any shortcomings

with these.

4. To participate as

appropriate in staff recruitment, both in the short-listing process and as a

member of interview panels for assistant, trainee and qualified Psychotherapists

and Specialist Support Officers.

5. To contribute to the

development of Services in discussion with the Clinical Supervisor.

6. To represent Peer

Support and attend relevant meetings and professional activities by agreement

with the Clinical Supervisor.

7. To inform the Clinical

Supervisor of those aspects of the service where therapeutic and/or

organisational matters need addressing.

Research

and service evaluation

1. To utilise theory,

evidence-based literature to support evidence-based practice in individual work

with other team members and colleagues within supervision groups.

2. To undertake service

evaluation, with colleagues within the service to help develop service

provision.

General

and Professional

1. To contribute to the

development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice,

through active participation in internal and external CPD training and

development programmes, in consultation with the post holders professional and

service manager(s).

2. To contribute to the

development and articulation of best practice across the service, by continuing

to develop the skills of a reflexive and reflective practitioner, taking part

in regular professional supervision and appraisal, and maintaining an active

engagement with current developments in the field of eating disorder peer

support and related disciplines.

3. To maintain up to date

knowledge of legislation, national and local policies, and issues in relation

to both the specific service user group and mental health.

4. To ensure highest

standards of appropriate clinical record keeping are maintained in accordance

with the codes of practise of a recognised governing body, and NHS commissioned

contract, and with organisations policies and procedures and to be able to do

so in electronic format if required.

5. To supply all clinical

information within the required timescales to keep data on the electronic

information system up to date.

6. To establish and

maintain close working relationships with other professional groups and

disciplines and participate in meetings as required.

First Steps ED is a national eating disorder Charity providing help and support to individuals of all ages, genders and backgrounds including their families. We offer training and education to professionals and together with our stakeholders we advance the latest evidence-base for service developments through our service-user led approach.

Our team understand eating disorders. With extensive knowledge and experience, our staff provide the necessary experience to be able to operate effectively, whilst relying on the help and support provided by our wonderful volunteers.

Our workforce team comprises of staff members, freelancers, volunteers and trustees. Together, we drive the charity forward and deliver our mission.

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