Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a mental health practitioner to join the Asylum Seeker & Refugee Mental Health Team, working as part of a MDT in a specialist service. Secondments opportunities will be considered. This is a role until 31st March 2027 for 37.5 hours per week. The Asylum Seeker and Refugee Mental Health Team are a specialist team who have the experience, knowledge and expertise to work with the above issues. Alongside trained Clinicians there are volunteers some of whom have been service users and have experienced the asylum process. This enables the team to deliver culturally sensitive health care that is relevant to the clients that the team is supporting. The team offers a holistic approach towards care in line with Freedom from Torture recommendations who state that Treating a torture victim requires a holistic approach that responds to their physical, emotional and practical needs.

All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

Job Share(s) Considered

Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for providing a service to asylum seekers and refugees with complex mental health needs and related issues.

To liaise with colleagues in other health services to ensure fair access to other statutory and non-statutory health providers.
To manage a caseload of asylum seekers and refugees with complex needs using evidence based/patient centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions. To be responsible for implementing interventions, individually or as a group. This may include developing additional, specialist intervention skills and developing opportunities in line with patients needs. To provide professional guidance, for staff and students as appropriate. To have a sound working knowledge of, and be able to implement evidence based practice within this service area. To be pro-active in supporting service developments in keeping with the changing needs of the client group and the overall multi-professional and organisation aims. To act as service representative in ASR related forums and meetings. To provide specialist education and training in order to disperse knowledge.

please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility

Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted.

About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Job responsibilities
Asylum Seeker & Refugee Mental Health Team

The post holder will be responsible for providing a service to asylum seekers and refugees with complex mental health needs and related issues.

To participate in line management, appraisal, supervision, teaching, recruitment and day-to-day management tasks in relation to your role within team.

To provide and coordinate complex packages of treatment which may include the administration of medicines.

To provide a comprehensive healthcare assessment including risk assessment and be responsible for providing and coordinating a recovery orientated package of care alongside other key services and professional stakeholders.

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To liaise with colleagues in other health services to ensure fair access to other statutory and non-statutory health providers.

To manage a caseload of asylum seekers and refugees with complex needs using evidence based/patient centered principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.

To be responsible for implementing interventions, individually or as a group. This may include developing additional specialist intervention skills and developing opportunities in line with patients needs.

To provide professional guidance for staff and students as appropriate. To have a sound working knowledge of and be able to implement evidence-based practice within this service area.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Registered Nurse, OT or Social Worker
• Previous experience within a comparable community service or setting.
• Flexible working with an ability to use own initiative as well as to be a team player.
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the principles and knowledge base underpinning Early Intervention Services, and other mental health provision including inpatient services.
• Evidence of continued professional development.
• Effective and well-developed leadership and case management skills.
• Sound working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 and other Mental Health Legislation
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and supervise others within a team, demonstrating the highest clinical standards.
• Proven interpersonal, communication and supervision skills.
• Proven creativity in changing service delivery to meet the needs of the user and the ongoing development of the service.
• Post basic qualifications/experience
• Teaching experience desirable
• Post qualification clinical course
• Specialist knowledge of Early Intervention Services and a range of other mental health service provision.
• Ability to visit clients in their own homes and to attend meetings in a variety of outreach community settings.
• A demonstrable knowledge of the principles and application of Motivation, Recovery, Social Inclusion and Whole Life systems Theory.
• Knowledge of the Public Health agenda within substance misuse provision and the recovery orientated systems model.
• Knowledge and understanding of adult and childrens safeguarding.
• Knowledge of Complex needs as defined within MEAM and comorbidities and best practice models with this client group.

KEY RESULT AREAS

• To effectively manage a caseload of complex individuals
• To ensure you receive and provide appropriate line management and clinical supervision, in line with Livewell policies and procedures.
• Ensure all obligations of the Mental Health Act and the Code of Practice are fulfilled and other mental health legislation and care planning is complied with in accordance with care co-ordination guidelines.
• Improve and maintain working relationships with GPs, other professionals and outside agencies working collaboratively to ensure effective referral, assessment, treatment and when appropriate discharge.
• To provide clinical advice, education, support and training to team colleagues, Inpatient units, Community Mental Health Teams, Primary Care Teams, other professionals and services provided by LIVEWELL SW.
• To advise the Manager of any operational issues, which require resolution?
• To maintain safe and acceptable standards of practice in accordance with policies, professional guidelines and relevant procedures.
• To keep professionally updated with ongoing developments in asylum seeker care services through evidence-based approaches to delivering high quality services by evaluating, updating, initiating and/or participating in training, audit, research and service planning.
• Promote and sustain good interpersonal relationships with users, carers and families, members of the multi-disciplinary team, other professionals, voluntary agencies, independent sectors and the general public.
• To contribute to clinical governance as applicable to the team and actively participate in ensuring that the service is user-focused, flexible and evolutionary.
• To develop links with other similar services, housing and agencies providing services for young people.
• To effectively care coordinate and have safe systems of work at the heart of practice.
• To have the ability to work autonomously and lone work within policy and procedure.
• To provide leadership and coordination in the absence of the band 7 Team manager, and cover for other team members in their absence.

COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Use trauma Informed and trauma sensitive style of communication in all written and verbal communications.

Communication is via line management.

Good working relationships need to be achieved with

• DCRS
• Interpreter services
• Commissioners
• LIVEWELL SW teams and staff, including mental health and learning disability teams
• LIVEWELL SW Directorates of Professional Practice and Contracting and Finance
• Social Services
• Local Education Authority
• Other non-statutory providers of health and social care
• General Practitioners and practice staff.
• Clinical staff in acute trusts
• Users, families and carers
• Police and Probation
• Housing services

To be an ambassador at local and national events where required.

MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR ROLE
To assist in changing the culture with regard to how statutory mental health services have traditionally been delivered and allow users to gain access to the service which is delivered in the least restrictive way and in a style that engages people on their own terms.

To contribute to the development of a service that is ambitious, ever changing, innovative and aspiration which impacts beyond ones own team and service promoting excellence.

To work with ambiguity and uncertainty in respect of the interpretation of policy and how this is applied to ones own clinical practice.

To be an active and dynamic member of the asylum seekers team, whilst ensuring that best clinical practice is adhered to.

Maintaining contact with the employing organisation whilst working within a voluntary sector service and team.

Making recovery visible in all aspects of service delivery.

Foster a culture of optimism and belief in recovery when interacting with service users, parents, carers and other staff/ organisations.

Please see attached Job description for full JD.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• RMN or Dip HE Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• Degree/Diploma in Social Care
• ENB 811/812 OR CPN Degree OR significant experience at a senior level which includes managerial experience, staff supervision and operational issues
• Completion of training as a first level registered nurse in mental health, allied health or social care professional, with a current valid registration with the appropriate body
• Post Graduate Specialist Knowledge and or experience in Community Mental Health setting

Desirable

• Recovery
• CBT
• Solution Focus Therapy
• Management/coaching qualification.
• Cultural Awareness Training

Knowledge & Skills
Essential

• Demonstrate evidence based practice
• CPA and record keeping
• NSF & MHA and NICE guidelines
• Demonstrate a commitment to professional development and be an able educator
• Evidence of life-long learning (academically and Professionally
• Skilled and experienced clinician, particularly in assessment and crisis intervention
• Good communication skills (verbal and written skills)
• Empathic outlook on health care delivery which respects clients dignity and human rights
• Interpersonal skills
• Supervisory skills
• Leadership skills
• Negotiation skills
• Risk assessment and management skills
• Calm and adaptable
• Ability to work flexibly
• Ability to work autonomously and part of MDT
• Recognise and manage stress in self and others
• Ability to frequently travel independently and in a timely manner between Livewell Southwest sites and community locations including areas not served by public transport.
• Creative, enthusiastic and self motivated
• Ability to manage change
• Willingness to participate in service development

Desirable

• Specialist clinical skills i.e. CBT training, Psycho-social interventions
• Staff appraisal skills
• Understanding of Choose and Book agenda and PTLs and RTT
• Understanding of Continuing Health Care
• Competent and knowledgeable in regards to PCH (CIC) Liaison Services ethos, policies and procedures.
• knowledge/skills
• Knowledgeable with regards the mental Health needs of culturally diverse communities
• Ability to demonstrate understanding of the Immigration system and Asylum Process

Experience
Essential

• Significant post-registration mental health experience
• Relevant experience in community mental health setting or clear evidence of how candidate is able to fulfil the functions of a community mental health practitioner.

Desirable

• Community experience in Mental Health
• Experience of working with Victims of Torture and Trauma
• Care co-ordination
• Case load management
• Knowledge and experience of working with interpreters

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).