Background

Right at the heart of what we do, we deliver services each year to around 1,500 individuals recovering from mental health issues.  In 2019/20 we aim to deliver MHFA training to 700 people.

Oxford’s non-white population is 36%, yet currently only 10% of Restore beneficiaries are from BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) communities. Restore is committed to tackling this massive discrepancy, by seeking to improve links with local BAME communities through Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training and follow-up. MHFA is a programme developed by MHFA England, which teaches people how to recognise the symptoms of mental health problems, how to provide initial help and how to guide a person towards appropriate professional help. Restore has been delivering this programme for 10 years, but fails to reach BAME communities. We believe that training can start great conversations to address this

Aim of this role

The aim of this role is to champion diversity to encourage and promote inclusion and equality for those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. This will ensure that the work is reflected in Restore’s values that we advocate.

The BAME MHFA Instructor will be the key representative of BAME members who will work to help improve stigma around mental ill health in BAME communities by enhancing interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening.

As the BAME MHFA instructor, you should be friendly and approachable, organised and able to train BAME members in a sensitive manner as there will be cultural differences.

What are we looking for?

Are you passionate about delivering training in mental health and how it can positively impact recovery? Do you have the skills to engage learners in how to recognise symptoms of mental health problems, how to provide initial help and how to guide a person towards appropriate professional help? Do you enjoy the challenge of a rewarding and stimulating role? We are looking for a highly organised, skilled communicator who is able to empower the learners.

The overall purpose of this exciting opportunity is to deliver MHFA courses to BAME communities to help reduce the stigma and improve knowledge and understanding around mental ill health.

An MHFA instructor is required to be qualified and accredited by MHFA England. We will fund your training, and pay you whilst you train.

There are genuine occupational requirements that the post holder is of a BAME background or someone who has significant experience in working with BAME communities.

Why work for us?

As an employee of Restore, you can expect a range of fantastic benefits and opportunities to both support you and enable you to develop both personally and professionally. These include:

• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which can provide short term counselling, and up to six sessions of relevant physical therapy.
• An individual training budget which, in agreement with your line manager, you can allocate to relevant training and development opportunities, from both within the partnership, and externally.
• A pension scheme that provides 2% matched to your own contributions.
• A travel loan to buy any bus or train season tickets in advance
• An eye care scheme which contributes funds towards spectacles for DSE use
• Access to our Cycle to Work Scheme which enables you to save up to 47% off the retail price of bikes and accessories.
• 33 days annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays (pro rata), and the option to take an unpaid sabbatical after 5 years of service with us.
• 18 hours training. This includes Mental Health First Aid (12 hours), Introduction to Restore training (6 hours) which covers who Restore is as well as key policies such as boundaries, confidentiality, safeguarding, equal opportunities and whistleblowing.
• Offered the opportunity to participate in other training courses lead by professionals.

Key Responsibilities

This is an outreach and developmental role, working with in BAME led organisations to develop effective community links and networks to promote and deliver Mental Health First Aid training and help reduce the effect of Mental Health stigma in the local communities.

We want to enable you to become a qualified MHFA instructor. An MHFA instructor is required to be qualified and accredited by MHFA England. We will fund your training, and pay you whilst you train.

This post requires a dynamic and committed person to deliver MHFA in Oxfordshire and occasionally elsewhere in the UK. The post will assist in marketing, developing, and delivering Mental Health First Aid for Restore.

The Mental Health First Aid Instructor is responsible for promoting and delivering Mental Health First Aid training.

Delivering MHFA

• Deliver MHFA training to a high standard, enabling people to become skilled MHFA Aiders
• Promote and market MHFA aiming to recruit both individuals and organisations onto MHFA courses
• Co-ordinate MHFA bookings include arranging venue hire and catering
• Manage the collection and reporting of MHFA data, including learner details
• Assist in the design and delivery of bespoke Mental Health in the Workplace training courses

General Responsibilities

• Carry out administrative duties such as data entry, record keeping, emails, course bookings and invoicing, and produce reports in line with MHFA England and funder requirements
• Participate in, and make use of staff meetings
• Participate in, and make use of supervision
• Demonstrate commitment to Restore’s aims and values, addressing race, culture, gender, class, disability, sexual orientation, age and other discrimination in relation to mental health issues
• Work with other Restore staff as part of a team
• Attend annual Continuing Professional Development Training as required
• Abide by all Restore policies, procedures and protocols
• Undertake any other duties as may be required by Restore
• To cover for other instructors during periods of absence if needed

Person Specification: MHFA Instructor

An understanding of the sector, a commitment to Restore, and empathy with people with mental health problems is vital. Restore needs people who have the ability to cope with limited resources, seize opportunities and think creatively.

Awareness of the stigma and other issues surrounding mental illness is important, as is the ability to remain impartial, as this role may involve working in potentially sensitive areas

Shortlisting Criteria (to demonstrate on application)

Essential:

• From a BAME background or have significant experience in working with BAME communities.
• A positive respectful approach to BAME communities and able to use reach out to different communities and work on own initiative
• Computer literate to use emails and use Microsoft applications to create presentations
• Strong administrative skills for data inputting, to write reports and keep records
• Ability to inspire confidence and empathise with a wide diversity of community groups
• Experience of public speaking or teaching/ delivering training courses effectively
• Ability to form good effective working relationships and work as part of a team
• Positive attitude towards people with mental health issues
• Enthusiastic approach to reducing stigma associated with mental ill health
• Full driving licence and access to own vehicle

Desirable:

• Ability to speak other languages in addition to English
• Knowledge of working with BAME communities, migrants, refugees or asylum seekers and the issues faced to accessing services
• Training/teaching qualifications, e.g. AET (Award in Education and Training)
• Experience of effective networking
• Good knowledge about mental health issues
• MHFA qualification
• Experience of delivering training in a diverse range of topics

Interview Criteria

Essential:

• Knowledge of the issues /stigma around Mental Health in BAME communities
• Understand and demonstrate a willingness to promote positively Equal Opportunities
• Ability to translate relevant information in a sensitive manner in order to provide the correct advice and information.
• The ability to deliver a range of MHFA training
• Flexibility required on working days and willing to undertake evening and weekend work when required
• Willing to undertake regular travel within the county and occasionally elsewhere in the UK
• Attend National Trainer meetings and training days when required
• Ability to give the time commitment to the training
• Commitment to all aspects of anti-discriminatory practice
• Ability to  co-ordinate the delivery of mental health training in Oxfordshire and surrounding counties
• Can demonstrate ability to be objective and non-judgmental
• Ability to communicate with, motivate and support others
• Excellent organisational skills
• Able to deliver all MHFA products on a regular basis and to a high standard
• One to one skills and the ability to give impartial information, advice and guidance
• Appropriate self-presentation for contact with different groups of people
• Good interpersonal and communication skills

Desirable:

• A collaborative, flexible, non-defensive, positive approach
• Experience of working in unstructured and informal settings
• A collaborative, flexible, non-defensive, positive approach

Other Information:

• Any offer of employment is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service.
• This post will be on a 4 week’s notice period.
• There is a probation period of six months for new employees, during which time your employment will be monitored. Your employment will be subject to you completing your probationary period to the satisfaction of RESTORE.

This job description is likely to change over time, subject to discussion with the post holder, and in line with the expectation of funders and the strategy for the organisation agreed by the Chief Executive and Trustees.

Watford & Three Rivers Trust is looking to recruit a confident and outgoing individual for their exciting new project ‘Neighbours Together’ which aims to tackle loneliness in older people.

The successful applicant will have excellent social and networking skills and be passionate about working in the heart of the community, with a team of volunteers, to help its older residents to stay happy, active and well in later life. 

The successfull applicant will work 5hrs per day Monday to Friday.