Mental Health Outreach Caseworker

We have a vacancy in our highly successful and long running mental health outreach project which has funding to continue a specific project role supporting clients with severe and enduring issues who are in, or have been in, local hospitals.

Significant experience of providing high quality advice is essential, either as a volunteer or in paid employment, and you’ll be a good self-starter with the ability to deal sensitively and tactfully with people who have mental health problems. A good understanding of welfare benefits and debt issues is key, along with excellent communication skills and the ability to cope with challenging situations and competing demands

The caseworker will work as part of the Mental Health team and report to the Chief Executive. Start date:  ASAP.

Job Description

Purpose of the job:

Working within the Aims and Principles of the Citizens Advice service to provide information, advice and advocacy either on all subjects to people with severe and enduring mental health problems to people who are in, or have been transferred out of, hospitals located in Epsom & Ewell or surrounding areas.

Nature and Scope of Work:

The work involves liaison with outside agencies, such as the Abraham Cowley Unit at St Peter’s Hospital Chertsey and other local hospitals, the Community Mental Health Teams, Benefits Agency and Social Services.

Working as part of a team, led by the Chief Executive, operate a Citizens Advice advisory service including Outreach sessions and hospital visits to meet the needs of people with severe and enduring mental health problems in Epsom and Ewell and surrounding areas.

Responsibilities/Activities

1. Seeing clients and providing information advice and advocacy on all subjects. Making visits where necessary to hospitals, day centres or clients’ homes.
2. Facilitating the take-up of benefits amongst the client group.
3. Making referrals and contacting other agencies on behalf of clients, including acting as advocate where necessary, for example, at Social Security appeal tribunals.
4. Keeping case records and statistics on contacts with clients and using these to affect the direction of service provision and to produce reports on the project.
5. Maintaining information systems and other reference materials.
6. Undertaking research and campaigns.
7. Attending mental health worker groups and other relevant meetings.

Person Specification

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate the following skills and abilities:

1. The ability to deal sensitively with people who have mental health problems.
2. Knowledge of the legislation relating to mental illness and the responsibilities of statutory agencies with regard to people with mental health issues.
3. At least a year’s advice work experience in Citizens Advice or similar agency.
4. Excellent understanding and knowledge of welfare benefit law and related subjects.
5. Proven ability to deal with benefit, housing and money/debt related enquiries and casework.
6. The ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, especially with challenging clients
7. The ability to cope with challenging situations, manage own time and deal with competing demands.
8. The ability to identify and develop action on social policy issues.
9. Proven ability to undertake casework and record effectively and appropriately, both the case itself and supporting data as may be required by the project
10. A commitment to self development, and the ability to work alone.
11. Keyboard skills and the ability to operate a computer.
12. Hold a current valid driving licence and have unrestricted use of private transport (desirable).

Guidance Notes

Citizens Advice & Bureau Background

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