Mental Health and Work Specialist WorkWell Norfolk

Hosted by

NPC and working within the WorkWell Norfolk service, the Mental Health and Work

Specialist provides the specialist mental health challenges find, return to,

and keep in paid work as part of their recovery within the WorkWell

Multidisciplinary Team (MDT). Mental health is the most common primary reason

for a fit note locally, and depression affects nearly half of people with

repeated fit notes, so most WorkWell participants will have a primary or

co-existing mental health need. The postholder assesses mental health need and

risk, delivers brief, work focused interventions, and advises the ANP and Work

and Health Coaches so that participants are supported safely and plans address

psychological as well as physical and social barriers to work.

As a part-time post (0.4

WTE), the role is designed to make a small amount of specialist time go a long

way: a limited direct caseload of participants who need clinical mental health

support input, alongside case consultation, supervision and training that build

the confidence and skills of the wider team. The role suits an experienced,

registered mental health professional who works autonomously, understand the

challenges faced by people with enduring mental health challenges, manages risk

confidently and enjoys teaching and supporting non-clinical colleagues.

assessments for participants identified at triage, by Work and Health Coaches

or at MDT as needing clinical mental health input, jointly with the

participant's Work and Health Coach wherever possible so the participant only

tells their story

once.

secondary mental health services, and the challenges faced by people with

severe or enduring mental health issues

participants express thoughts of suicide or self-harm (which is not an

exclusion criterion), agreeing safety plans and advising whether WorkWell is

the most appropriate service at that time.

decisions for referrals with significant mental health need, within the one

working day triage standard on working days, with agreed arrangements for

clinical cover on non-working days.

beyond a low-intensity offer, arrange a warm handover to the right service (for

example NHS Talking Therapies, community mental health or crisis services) and

follow up so that support is integrated into their WorkWell plan.

participants in partnership with their GP and/or existing mental health worker,

keeping them informed of assessment, risk and outcomes.

learning disability and adapt assessment and support accordingly.

caseload [indicative size TBC] of participants needing clinical mental health

intervention within the WorkWell model of approximately eight weeks.

low-intensity psychological interventions, one to one or in groups (for example

CBT-informed approaches, behavioural activation, anxiety and stress management,

sleep and self-management support).

confidence and anxiety about returning, managing symptoms in the workplace,

disclosure and conversations with employers.

elements of the participant's personalised care plan and SMART goals, embedding

Making Every Contact Count (MECC).

(with consent) employers on reasonable adjustments, phased returns and changes

of duties for people with mental health conditions.

assessed as competent, certify fit notes (Med3) for participants under WorkWell

care in line with DHSC and DWP guidance, updating the clinical record and

informing the GP.

EQ-5D and the Attitudes to Work and Health questionnaire) to review progress

and inform discharge.

providing the mental health perspective on case discussion, risk, onward

referral and discharge decisions.

and Health Coaches between MDT meetings, helping them continue to support

participants with mental health needs within their competence.

where mental health is a barrier to progress and recommend next steps.

with the ANP, balancing direct caseload, consultation, supervision and training

so the role has the greatest impact across the six Norfolk neighbourhood areas.

reflective practice to Work and Health Coaches on the mental health aspects of

their work, including the low-level interventions they deliver under

supervision of a registered clinician.

the WorkWell team on mental health awareness, risk conversations, safety

planning and when to escalate.

and system partners on mental health and work, a priority identified by

employers in the ICB's engagement survey.

condition-specific self-care resources used by the team.

governance framework so that assessment, intervention and discharge are

clinically safe, evidence based and in line with professional standards.

contemporaneous clinical records, including updates to the participant's GP

record (SystmOne or EMIS), in line with the relevant professional codes, UK

GDPR and NPC information governance policies.

safeguarding concerns for adults and children, applying the Mental Capacity

Act, in line with ICB and NPC policies.

to learning in line with the NPC Patient Safety Incident Response Framework

(PSIRF) Policy.

clear referral routes with NHS Talking Therapies (including its employment

advisers), Individual Placement and Support services, community mental health

and crisis services, and VCFSE mental health providers.

health need and gaps in local provision to the ANP and Clinical Lead to inform

service improvement and ICB commissioning.

effectively with participants experiencing distress, and with carers and

families where appropriate.

services and other professionals about participants' care, risk and outcomes.

its impact on work in plain language to non-clinical colleagues and, with

consent, employers.

information to service reports, audits and evaluation as required by the ANP

and WorkWell Service Manager.

2.1 Other Responsibilities

WorkWell pathways, protocols and risk procedures for participants with mental

health needs.

including the quarterly Clinical Triage Audit where mental health cases are

sampled.

supervision and maintain professional registration and revalidation.

hours to meet service need, by agreement.

Undertake other ad hoc duties as requested by the ANP or WorkWell

Service Manager.

Norfolk Primary Care (NPC) is a Community Interest Company (CIC)

delivering clinical services across the Norfolk & Waveney region. Our

membership consists of GP practices within the area. NPC's purpose is to:

Care by supporting workforce development and improving patient access.

Care by working with, and on behalf of, local practices to drive quality

improvement.

key challenges such as workload pressures, GP recruitment, best practice

sharing, and opportunities for at scale working.

of Primary Care by helping ensure services meet the needs of the local

population.

clinicians, administrative teams, and practice organisations across Norfolk.

wider health system to deliver patient care in innovative, solution focused

ways

Experience

Skills and Abilities

Desirable: - Group facilitation skills; - Motivational interviewing or health coaching techniques; - Understanding of the relationship between work and health

Qualifications