Mental Health Advocate - Job Description (April 2017) Job Title: Responsible To: Mental Health Advocate Mental Health Services Manager Organisational Context Women and Girls Network (WGN) WGN is a pan-london organisation that was established in 1987 to support women and girls to overcome the impact of rape and sexual assault. The organisation developed its services to meet the needs of women who had experienced any form of gendered violence at any time in their lives. Today, WGN is still one of the only services in London that has the skills, experience and expertise to support women and girls affected by all forms of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) including: rape, childhood sexual abuse, sexual harassment, stalking, sexual exploitation, prostitution, trafficking, domestic violence, rape in war / state torture, gang related sexual violence, female genital mutilation and honour - based violence. Our overall aim is to promote, preserve and restore the mental health and well-being of women and girls who have experienced, or are at risk of, VAWG, whilst working towards a society free of VAWG. We do this by: Providing women-only holistic and seamless advice, advocacy and therapeutic services, which meet women and girls needs and contribute to total and sustainable recovery from the experiences of violence Developing and delivering feminist group work and community based outreach programmes providing women and girls with access to women only spaces where they can develop their knowledge and awareness of VAWG and related inequality issues and develop skills and resources to recover, resist and reach their full potential Evidencing the impact of VAWG and presenting this information in appropriate forums to affect social change in attitudes towards, and social policy responses to VAWG Developing good practice in the sector by providing training and guidance on specialist service provision and the development of culturally appropriate service delivery The Indigo Project is an exciting innovative service aimed at providing a resource for women and girls from a background of multiple disadvantages, complex, high-risk needs primarily associated with experiences of gender-based violence. The service will deliver specialist, integrated and holistic high-intensity care pathways for multiple needs clients, involving: An integrated advocacy and counselling service offering holistic, person centered, individualised care pathways that are rooted in best practice, are trauma focused, multimodal interventions, and address multiple areas of disadvantage. Advocacy will address the barriers that prevent women from accessing support and enable them to begin and continue engaging with therapeutic services. This will also include support with practical challenges and wider representation. 1
The counselling service will empower clients to manage and reduce risks, building on their personal resources, restoring and promoting resilience to achieve lasting recovery. The service will offer a single point of contact and coordination with other health and social care professionals, along with WGN s services, to ensure the best interests of the client are protected providing voice and choice for clients. Job Purpose To ensure the provision of safe, high-quality and culturally appropriate services to women living with multiple disadvantage linked with experiences of any form of VAWG. To deliver advocacy intervention from a survivor / women centred, needs led, gender responsive perspective rooted in a philosophy of empowerment and recovery. To ensure advocacy interventions are delivered from a socially inclusive approach incorporating trauma interventions based on a holistic strengths / evidence based and recovery framework. To provide a wraparound provision of care working collaborative with other service provision within the Indigo project. Contribute and develop a culture that values and respects diversity, learning, improvement, striving for quality and best practice. Areas of Responsibility Ethos and Values Actively contribute to the values, principles, and ethos of the organisation and models of best practice for working within feminist protocols and principles. To work within WGN s specialist Holistic Empowerment Recovery Model for survivors of gender-based violence; a gender responsive, trauma focused, strengths and evidence based model. Contribute to the organisation s delivery of equality and diversity strategies throughout the delivery all clinical services. Role Description Mental Health Advocates will be responsible for: Advice, Advocacy and Support Acting as a first point of contact for referrals into the Indigo Project, conducting initial risk and needs assessments and providing advice and signposting where the Indigo Project is not able to accept the referral. Engaging in case allocation and review processes with Mental Health Services Manager and Indigo team. Conducting skilled and sensitive assessments from a whole person focus which considers client s strengths and challenges. 2
Provide clear information on health and social care matters, treatment options to support clients to have their voice heard, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain the services they need. Developing and delivering empowering bespoke packages of support including information, referral, sign-posting, advice and advocacy to women presenting with multiple need affected by any form of VAWG. Addressing the multiple impacts of VAWG by working with women to identify and address all areas of need including but not limited to psychological, emotional, spiritual, physical health, well-being, social functioning, life skills, housing and immigration. Addressing the multiple impacts of all forms of VAWG by working with women to develop and enhance self-protective factors including self-esteem, confidence, safety planning skills aimed at enhancing resilience and promoting self-advocacy. Provide advocacy support in relation to key meetings such as mental health assessments, outpatient appointments, one to one meetings with nurses, doctors, social workers, solicitors, welfare workers and other professionals relating to the holistic needs of clients. Develop effective working relationships with key staff within mental health and social care services. To challenge decisions and actions with statutory services to ensure the rights of clients are promoted and protected. To encourage individuals to explore their potential to the fullest, push boundaries and take risks to maintain or regain increased control over their daily lives. Safeguarding Maintaining confidentiality for clients in line with WGN s Safeguarding Policy. Assessing safeguarding concerns and discussing these concerns with clients and taking appropriate action as required by WGN s safeguarding procedures. Supporting clients through this process where appropriate and to ensure they are kept informed at all times of actions. Equipping clients with information, skills and resources they need to make informed choices, access services, access their rights and ensure their voices are heard. Working alongside clients to maximize self-protective strategies to ensure stability, manage risk and establish wellbeing. Utilizing a multi-agency approach, working with voluntary and statutory professional networks surrounding clients. Voice Working in partnership with women to co-produce resources and programmes, providing platforms for client s voices to be heard and influence the design, development and delivery of services. Participate in service user forums. Support clients in the co-delivery of appropriate activities. 3
Widening Access Empowerment, healing and transformation for women moving on from violence Working within an intersectional framework, considering the diverse and sometimes conflicting needs of clients across all protected characteristics and tailoring the service to widen access and ensure individual and community needs are met. Ensure the service is responsive and sensitive to the needs of BME communities. Strengthening Practice Actively contributing to the development and creation of a trauma-informed working environment and a feminist ethos of care and support. Multi agency work within the Indigo Project to provide a wraparound provision and fully integrated response with other practitioners. Developing and sharing good practice with other professionals and contribute to the development of service policies, protocols, guidelines and strategies within the area of practice in collaboration with the Indigo team and WGN Senior Management Team. Developing and maintaining working knowledge of local services, strategies and guideline procedures in relation to clients with multiple needs. Developing and maintaining updated working knowledge of relevant legislation including but not limited to social welfare, legislation, local and national policy relating to mental health e.g. Mental Health Act 1983 / Mental Capacity Act 2005 / National Service Frameworks, criminal / civil law and immigration. Liaising with other agencies providing services for women with multiple needs across London, establishing new contacts, referral pathways, recording and sharing this information with the Indigo team. Acting as a specialist in relation to multiple needs clients and VAWG survivors providing expert contributions to relevant multi-agency forums and offering consultation for professionals internally and externally working with non-caseload clients to enhance best practice working with multiple need clients. Monitoring / Evaluation and Data Management Developing and maintaining appropriate information, record keeping, case recording, monitoring and evaluation systems. To produce reports as requested by the Mental Health Services Manager, funders, WGN s Senior Management Team and Trustees. Participate in service evaluation by contributing to data collection and analysis through surveys and conducting exit interviews. To work in collaboration with Indigo team and external research consultants on the development and implementation of a research programme to evaluate the effectiveness of the Indigo Project s service model generally and more specifically evidencing survivor s selfprotective characteristics and strategies within a resilience framework. 4
General Duties Empowerment, healing and transformation for women moving on from violence Working in line with WGN s ethos, values, aims, objectives, policies and procedures at all times, promoting empowerment and modelling anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practices. Striving to meet and exceed quality standards in relation to every aspect of the work to ensure that WGN maintains its distinctive positive reputation. Following procedures and protocols agreed with partners to ensure the health and safety of clients. Taking all possible steps to ensure the safety and confidentiality of service users, staff and stakeholders. Attending and making best use of support, supervision sessions and training. Actively contributing to Indigo team meetings. Sharing contacts, information and expertise to build a strong team and enhance the knowledge base of the Indigo Project. Be self-servicing and work flexibly as a member of the team. Carrying out duties appropriate to the role that are necessary for the delivery of this service and the effective functioning of the organisation. Due to the nature of the client group, regular evening work and occasional weekend work are key requirements of this role Variation Clause Women and Girls Network reserves the right, following full and reasonable consultation with the member of staff concerned, to vary, add or alter any of the terms and conditions of employment. Flexibility Clause In order to deliver services effectively, a degree of flexibility is required and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically outlined above and / or outside of specified working hours. Overtime will not be paid, time off in lieu (TOIL) will be accrued for any overtime worked and staff will be supported to take that time. Exemption Due to the nature of the role, we will only accept applications from female candidates (exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1). 5
Mental Health Advocate Person Specification Essential Requirements Experience and expertise At least two year s relevant experience working with vulnerable women with multiple needs and high risk clients with acute and chronic mental health presentations. Experience of working with survivors of gender-based violence. Relevant qualification Level 3-4 NVQ equivalent. Delivering empowering one-to-one interventions with clients and developing and maintaining non-dependent, boundaried, respectful and empowering professional relationships with individual women. Managing a caseload and providing advice, support and advocacy. Engaging clients from diverse communities in the take-up of service provision. Knowledge Understand the causes and impacts of VAWG and how the experience of violence impacts on women s behaviour and choices. An in-depth understanding of the different forms, causes and effects of gender-based violence e.g. child and adult sexual exploitation, harmful practices, range of sexual violence, domestic violence, childhood physical violence and neglect. Sound knowledge of current issues in the care of women with mental health presentations including clinical presentations / treatment and medication options. Understand the issues, challenges and barriers faced by women from diverse communities and backgrounds in accessing appropriate support. An in-depth understanding and a proven track record of providing advocacy support. Working knowledge of mental health and social policy, legislation and services relevant to women who have experienced gendered violence. Working knowledge of relevant safeguarding legislation and practice. Understand how to maintain productive partnerships between voluntary and public sector agencies. Attitude Commitment to actively challenging discrimination and oppression. To work within WGN s values, ethos, principles and policies. Motivated to work towards ending violence against women and children. Willingness and ability to critically reflect on and develop own practice. Desire to take responsibility for your own learning, and contribute to the learning of others (individually, collectively and organisationally). 6
Skills / Abilities Empowerment, healing and transformation for women moving on from violence Ability to present an uncompromising analysis of gendered violence in all forums. Ability and aspiration to work within a feminist framework. Ability to deliver creative and meaningful interventions and services that engage, motivate and effect change in women s lives. Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with clients, partner agencies and stakeholders; Skill to write updates and reports for internal use and funders. Ability to plan, manage and prioritise and contain workload; to meet deadlines and monitor and meet project targets (outputs and outcomes). Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to contribute to the Indigo Project s and WGN s development through active participation in team and organisational meetings. To be self-starting, work autonomously with support from a distance and to remain accountable to the Indigo team and WGN through regular up dates. Competency in the use of IT, including Word, Excel, Outlook and databases. 7