We are looking for a Senior Project Officer to support the delivery Samaritans peer support scheme, the Listener scheme in prisons across the UK and Ireland. This is a key role within Samaritans growing Prisons & Justice programme and will work closely with other members of the prison team and external stakeholders to deliver our ambitious Prison and Justice strategy.
- Ewell, Surrey
- Permanent role and full time and part time hours will be considered
- £30,000 - £33,000 per annum (depending on experience) + competitive benefit
A little bit about the role.....
We are looking for a Senior Project Officer to support the delivery of Samaritans work in prisons across the UK and Ireland, including through its renowned peer support scheme, the Listener scheme. This is a key role within Samaritans growing Prisons & Justice programme and will work closely with other members of the prison team and external stakeholders to support and develop our work in prisons.
The role will work closely with the Prison Support Manager to ensure the high-quality delivery of our current Listener schemes as well as taking the lead on specific projects to improve and expand the support we provide to people in prison. Working with Samaritans staff and volunteers, prison staff, Listeners, and external stakeholders, this is a varied role where no two days are the same. You will be office-based but also spend time visiting prisons and volunteers to provide operational support as and when needed.
We’re looking for someone with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ideally you will have experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders, including in senior roles, in a prison context or another similar environment. You are an excellent listener and you know how to ensure that operational needs are reflected in training materials. You know how to build positive relationships with volunteers and staff and you are sensitive to the challenges frontline staff face in challenging environments like a prison. You are persistent in working towards your goal even when facing resistance and difficulty. You will also need to have experience of planning and delivering office-based projects.
Former Listeners and others with lived experience of prison are encouraged to apply.
About Samaritans
At Samaritans, our vision is that fewer people die by suicide. We believe it is preventable and that by working together we can give people the support they need before they reach crisis point. We are one of the most trusted charities in the UK and ROI, and we answer a call for help every six seconds. We have around 175 staff and more than 20,000 volunteers based across 201 branches giving emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We don’t just hear you, we listen.
Our location
Our Central Office is located in a converted mill in Ewell, Surrey which is just over 30-minutes by train from Waterloo and 15 minutes from Wimbledon. As an employer we offer a good range of benefits, including 25 days’ holiday, free parking, Health Cash Plan, Pension and interest-free season ticket loans.
To apply
Interested candidates should submit their CV and a covering letter outlining their motivations for applying and how they meet each of role criteria as set out in the JD to the email address below by Monday 10th February 2020.
We are The Forward Trust (formerly RAPt and Blue Sky), the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.
Role/Team Overview
As a Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) you will be responsible for team performance and supporting the team as a practice lead to deliver a responsive a high quality service in line with IAPT requirements. You will be providing both Clinical and line management supervision to Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners.
The post holder will be managing a team of Psychological Wellbeing practitioners delivering psychological interventions alongside the High Intensity Therapist. The treatment is tailored to individual needs in supporting low to high intensity IAPT delivery needs.
The post holder will facilitate person centred assessments and delivering a range of Step 2 psychological therapies. You will also be supporting and developing your team, and ensuring deadlines and quality standards are met. You will be responsible for delivering on performance targets set by Forward, commissioners and the prime contractor. The post holder will support the Regional Manager to ensure data accuracy and data submission deadlines are met.
At times you will be the most senior representative on site and you will be in a position of trust and building an excellent relationship with your manager will be a priority, as well as collaborative working relationships with partner agencies.
Accountabilities
Leadership and People Management
- Build strong relationships with colleagues in the unit, and make full use of the support offered by the Regional Manager and Head Office functions.
- Develop and maintain relationships with key stake holders and prison governors, by representing Forward at regular meetings.
- Support individual development needs for direct reports, providing quarterly line management and probation reviews as a minimum.
- Ensure all interventions are delivered to the required standards by facilitating observed practice sessions, carrying out file checks and providing constructive feedback.
- Support effective case load management, making sure that clients are prioritised appropriately and seen in a timely manner, ongoing care and treatment is reviewed in close liaison with other agencies.
- Provide effective Case management and Clinical supervision for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners and Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners.
- Motivate the team to ensure KPIs are met and take an active role in implementing and achieving them.
- Manage team performance and dynamics to maintain a positive working environment, working in conjunction with HR and Regional Manager.
Service Management
- Oversee and ensure effective management of the unit in conjunction with the High Intensity Therapist.
- In conjunction with the High Intensity Therapist compile the service rota and share with all colleagues in the team.
- Attend all relevant meetings, as well as chair monthly team meetings in conjunction with the High Intensity Therapist.
- Accept referrals via agreed referral protocols, attend complex case referral meetings. Make decisions regarding the suitability of new referrals.
- Help manage waiting lists and capacity through the coordination of group work and other interventions.
- Lead on and encourage integrated ways of working with partners alongside the High Intensity Therapist.
- Manage resources effectively in order to meet targets and deadlines in accordance with contractual standards.
- Undertake reviews and adaptation of service delivery model in conjunction with Regional Manager to ensure service delivery and targets are met.
- Ensure that interventions are delivered in accordance with the needs of the service users, complying with internal process audits, and standards set in HMIP inspections, continually ensuring that contractual obligations are met.
- Facilitate Person centred assessments which identify need and risk.
- Provide a range of evidence based Step 2 treatment options. This may include guided Self-Help, Computerised CBT, group interventions and Face to face one to one interventions.
- Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of clinical appointments offered each week.
Quality and Safety
- Carry out regular service audits, and develop action plans to ensure that any issues are escalated and addressed in a timely manner and good practice is effectively shared throughout the service to ensure continuous improvement.
- Ensure that information, including statistical data, for audit, research and reporting purposes, is effectively and efficiently collected, recorded and collated in the assigned area.
- Risk identification and management, in liaison with Regional Manager. Includes attending and participating in the quarterly Regional Governance meetings, updating the Risk Register and other SIP documentations.
- Work with the highest regard to health, safety and security in the workplace highlighting any risks (potential or actual) to the Regional Service Manager and (where appropriate) the Head of Governance, in accordance with Forward’s risk management protocols.
- Effectively manage information, particularly confidential information, within statutory duties and in accordance with best practice.
- Promote and ensure departmental compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, and ethical responsibilities.
- Ensure that all requirements for BABCP PWP accreditation are met.
- Maintain professional registration requirements as appropriate to the role.
- Ensure the standards of practice according to the British association for cognitive and behavioural psychotherapy codes of ethics and conduct are maintained.
- Be aware of and keep up to date with advances in the treatment of common mental illness.
Administration
- Ensure case management/programme documentation is maintained to the expected audit standards.
- Monitor all data input to meet commissioner and prime contractor requirements.
- Compile data reports for Prime/Commissioner to evidence meeting contractual targets.
Other
- Take on other reasonable tasks and responsibilities as deemed appropriate by the Regional Manager.
- Some flexibility of delivery may be required within the role. This may include additional shifts, or supporting another service temporarily.
Requirements
- Demonstrable experience in the management of teams, performance and development.
- Knowledge and experience of implementing formal procedures and policies
- Knowledge of the criminal justice sector and/or community services
- Experience of undertaking comprehensive risk assessments, including assessment of risk to self and others.
- Experience of delivering Step 2 Psychological interventions.
- A thorough understanding of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) and the concept of stepped care
- Genuine interest in motivating and developing people
- Project and time management skills
- Inter-personal skills and ability to relate to a diverse range of people
- Understanding the need for evidence based psychological interventions.
- Ability to work flexibly in order to meet the needs of the service
- Able to work across sites as required.
- Previous experience working in a prison environment
- Previous experience of working with people with common Mental Health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Personal Attributes
Proactivity – Quick thinking with a high level use of initiative
Resilience – Solves problems, takes learning on board from mistakes to aid personal and professional growth
Adaptability – Can work in fast-paced changing environments
Confidence – Has confidence in own abilities, has good eye contact and able to communicate clearly and concisely
Team Work – Works in harmony with colleagues to deliver results
Open to Feedback - Open to constructive feedback in order to further develop
Qualification
Completed relevant IAPT course in line with the IAPT low intensity national programme. Holding a relevant PWP qualification.
Completed or in the process of completing an IAPT supervision training course.
About us
Forward empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of addiction or crime to move forward with their lives. For mo... Read more