People Participation Worker

Essential

• Good level of education GCSE or equivalent in English and Maths
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development Willingness and ability to obtain and/or qualifications and training for development in the post as required

Essential

• Previous experience of advocacy or consultation and/or evidence of working in a similar field e.g., youth work
• Experience of work with children and young people and maintaining appropriate boundaries Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties &/or learning disabilities and family/carers
• Liaison with wider stake holders
• Experience of competently and safely using social media and digital technology to engage young people

Desirable

• Experience in a healthcare setting
• Work in a multicultural setting, including working with interpreters
• Conducting audit and/or evaluation projects
• Contribution to research programmes
• Some personal experience of using mental health services

Essential

• Communication & Relationship skills: Well-developed interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively orally, and in writing complex and or sensitive information for dissemination both within and outside the NHS
• Ability to support individuals or groups in presenting their views
• Ability to creatively engage hard to reach groups and parents/carers, adolescents and children with a range of developmental and mental health needs
• Ability to present the views of service users to a variety of stakeholders, including at a strategic managerial level
• Ability to manage potentially conflicting agendas
• Current knowledge of issues facing young people with mental health difficulties and /or a learning disability and their parents/carers
• Knowledge of the issues involved in communicating with young people
• Analytical & Judgmental skills: Understanding of the impact of mental health issues on a child or young person's future opportunities, on their siblings and families
• Planning and organisational skills: Able to plan, organise and prioritise own workload. Organisation of meetings, minute taking and communicating with professionals.
• Physical skills: Good keyboard skills.
• Information resources: Able to present information in a variety of formats Competent use of other IT packages e.g. PowerPoint, Access.
• Competent in use of Word and Excel
• Proven ability to use, set up and maintain social media and digital communication channels effectively and safely in ways that creatively engage service users
• Research & Guidance: Good research and statistical skills, including ability to access and search evidence-based resources
• Cultural awareness: Aware of the potential impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health
• Flexibility: Able to be flexible and adapt approach according to need
• Able to work independently and to seek support as appropriate
• Able to use supervision well to improve output
• Cultural competence: Understanding issues involved in working with a multicultural population

Desirable

• Multiagency networking: Able to grasp the complexities of the range of statutory and voluntary agencies involved in providing services for children and families
• Previous development or consultation role.
• Good working knowledge of voluntary, statutory and health agencies

Essential

• Physical effort: Able to sit in constrained positions for a substantial proportion of working time
• Mental effort: Able to concentrate intensely for a substantial proportion of working time, during client contact, teaching sessions, team meetings, preparing written work etc
• Emotional effort: Able to effectively manage boundaries as well as exposure to distressing/ emotional circumstances that might arise when working with groups who have a variety of mental health and/or developmental issues/needs
• Values: Respectful approach to service users, families, carers, colleagues and other professionals. Willing to negotiate and can handle confrontation effectively and professionally

Essential

• Able to work flexible hours and in a variety of different contexts outside the clinical setting
• Able to work to professional guidelines
• Must be capable of accountability for own work, of being guided by precedent and of working towards defined results