Mental Health Coach

Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team with the Harlow/Epping forest area the post holder will support patients through their mental health journey in order to ensure it is as person centered, streamlined and seamless as possible. This will in turn leading to improved outcomes for the patient and cost savings for the local health economy.

Roles and Responsibilities
Mental Health Coaches will:

• Be an easily accessible and visible point of contact for anyone in need of assistance in the Harlow/Epping area who is using or would like to use mental health services.



• Make themselves known to the patient once the initial referral or handover has been made and will continue to work with them until such point that the patient is accessing the services that they need.



• undertake a range of practical support including but not limited to supporting patients who have a history of non-attendance to attend appointments, working with patients to overcome practical barriers to attending appointments, in some cases this could mean accompanying patients to appointments



• Identifying with patients to resources that exist in the neighbourhood that may enhance their mental health and then supporting the engagement process.



• Introducing patients to a range of self-help information and resources that could contribute to being better prepared for engagement with more formal services.



• advocate for those patients who have been deemed inappropriate for primary or secondary care and supporting them to receive the service they require, thus preventing people from being 'bounced' or from 'falling through the net'.



• advocate for patients who are eligible for primary or secondary care mental health services but whose experience is not proving to be a good one



• have the client's needs at the forefront at all times with an underpinning set of values and skills that promote person centred recovery, independence, choice and control.



• Develop excellent awareness of Community resources and opportunities that a patient can be introduced to support their recovery., Manage a caseload of clients, working with them on an individual basis supporting them to access mental health services and introducing to appropriate services and agencies relevant to their needs.


• Update information on all contacts with patients and work undertaken on System 1 in a timely, appropriate and professional manner.


• Alert the appropriate people to any concerns around risk.


• Act in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act (1998).


• Develop positive and supportive relationships with clients, within appropriate and clear boundaries being aware of and taking into consideration disability rights.


• Contribute to written and statistical reports as requested by the CCG and Mind in West Essex.


• Regular attendance at the hub MDT meetings / liaison with MDT members


• Keep updated and work within Mind in West Essex operational procedures and policies. Paying special attention to Health and Safety, Lone Working, Safeguarding and Confidentiality Policies.


• To undertake supervision and training as required.


• Attend team meetings when required.


• Support and interact with colleagues, share information and updates on services and regulations, build links within the community.

To carry out such other duties and tasks as may be required as the pilot develops