Deputy Service Manager

• Activities and Events:

  • Organise a rota of activities and events for service users, including contribution to the flexi approach to team work.

• Specialised Interventions:

  • Broker (and where appropriate, following training, provide) specialised interventions like DBT, CBT, including input from substance abuse teams and forensic services.
  • Expect staff to access basic training in delivering some CBT techniques, relaxation, and mindfulness training/skills.

• Preparing for Independence:

  • Help service users maintain and develop their skill base, (re)gain general IT skills, including support with CV writing, online applications, shopping online, etc.
  • Identify and help to facilitate suitable move-on accommodation and support, actively engaging family/carers and wider networks in preparing for the transition according to the wishes of the service user.
  • Provide advice on benefits, tenancy rights, or signpost when necessary.
  • Facilitate access to training or employment and support employers, especially during initial stages.
  • Provide a direct link between service user and any placement/work opportunities, ensuring that any problems are addressed at an early stage and necessary measures are put in place to prevent placement failures.

• Team Contribution:

  • Make a positive contribution to and work constructively within the team, including developing your own abilities to enhance team performance.
  • Carry out staff supervisions and monitor the performance of team members, including relief staff, in a constructive, effective, and creative way.
  • Contribute to the provision of outcome-defined evidence to commissioners and other stakeholders by fully involving service users and team members.
  • Promote, monitor, and maintain health and safety and security in the workplace and ensure the building is safe and secure.
  • Work in a way that ensures the service is delivered in compliance with relevant legislation, Together’s values, policies, and practices, and contractual requirements.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Essential

• Qualified to at least Diploma Level 3 in Adult Care / Health & Social Care.
• Commitment to the empowerment of service users and users of mental health services and a strong interest in user involvement and promoting people's rights.
• Ability to respond to service users’ needs (including those in crisis) promptly, in a flexible, consistent, and appropriate way, as well as giving the team a clear direction.
• Ability to work with service users in a user-led, calm, confident, and sensitive manner and ability to advocate for them.
• Excellent listening skills and the ability to communicate effectively with people who are in mental distress, including those who may be acutely ill.
• Knowledge and practical experience of using person-centred tools to support recovery and development of service users, as well as the ability to transfer such knowledge and any associated skills.
• Ability to work flexibly as part of a team and contribute in meeting team and organisational objectives.
• Experience of supervising people and teams and monitoring people’s performance.
• Ability to work on own initiative, to prioritise work, meet deadlines, and make autonomous decisions when needed.
• Experience of participating and running meetings/groups.
• The ability to liaise and communicate well, both orally and in writing, with health professionals, the general public, other providers, and be assertive where necessary.
• A commitment to Equal Opportunities and awareness of issues related to social and health care provision in a multi-cultural context.
• Good computer literacy including the ability to use Windows applications and word processing and database packages. This also includes the ability to use the internet and to draft and send e-mails.
• Experience of liaising with a range of providers and services and promoting user-led initiatives as well as Together services.

Desirable

• At least two years’ full-time equivalent experience of working in mental health.
• Willingness to attain the Diploma Level 5 in Leadership & Management for Adult Care.
• Experience of running groups.
• At least one year experience of supervising and managing others.

Job Benefits

(Note: Specific job benefits are not detailed in the provided text.)