Youth Wellbeing Mentor for Social Prescribing

Social Prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing through a referral to a Youth Wellbeing Mentor. Youth Wellbeing Mentors are able to spend time with an individual, focusing on ‘what matters to me’ and taking a holistic approach. They connect people to community-based and community-led social, practical and emotional support, as well as statutory services. Social Prescribing aims to increase people’s active involvement in their local communities. It can strengthen resilience at both a personal and community level, and it reduces health inequalities by supporting people to address the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing and physical inactivity. It works particularly well for adults, children and young people who are lonely or isolated, and those with complex social needs which affect their wellbeing. A key element of the support offered by the Youth Wellbeing Mentor is to build clients’ motivation and confidence for change. They do this by utilising person-centred and asset-based approaches such as motivational interviewing, coaching and resilience building. They work to increase social connectedness, increase physical activity, improve financial stability, improve personal safety and support the development of social networks and community assets. Our Youth Wellbeing Mentors enable clients to achieve their goals through one-to-one support. Nationally, and locally here in Derbyshire, social prescribing for adults is developing fast and delivering fantastic results. Traditionally it has been used to help adults and older adults find non-medical ways of combating loneliness and stress, but social prescribing has huge potential for young people too. In 2021, Chesterfield Football Club Community Trust and Derbyshire Voluntary Action worked in partnership to establish a social prescribing service for children and young people in Chesterfield. Thanks to increased support from funding partners we are able expand our team of Youth Wellbeing Mentors to provide even more community-based support for 14-18 year-olds (up to 25yrs with additional needs). Purpose of the Role The main purpose of the Youth Wellbeing Mentor is to provide personalised support to individuals, their families, and carers to take control of their wellbeing and improve their health outcomes. Young people from similar backgrounds with equivalent opportunities can end up having very different experiences of life. Some feel isolated in a place where life has lost meaning, while others find a life of meaning and purposeful relationships. In general, that is. Reality is more fluid: young people fluctuate daily, weekly, and annually between thriving, struggling and something in between. The Covid-19 pandemic has created a new set of circumstances for young people that exacerbates these challenges. Diverse activities and services are available in our communities, but those who may benefit from them most don’t always feel able to take part. What they need is a helping hand, someone to listen to their needs and connect them, even take them personally to a nearby offer. Our Youth Wellbeing Mentors are here to help young people make the connections they feel unable to make by themselves. The connection could be to an advice or counselling service, or to something sporty, arty, or social. Or to volunteering, or literacy support. Or a combination of several of those things – all of which will give them a strong foundation, positive wellbeing, basic skills, and reliable relationships. 1. Key Responsibilities Develop an in-depth knowledge base of support, activities, and personal development opportunities for young people in and around the Chesterfield area. Develop a good knowledge of a broad range of opportunities for young people to engage with their community and become involved in community-based activities. Develop a good knowledge of local services to support young people’s mental and physical health needs. Create effective networks and relationships with the various partnerships, organisations and groups who promote and deliver activity of all kinds for young people in Chesterfield area. Draw on and increase the strengths and capacities of local communities, enabling local voluntary organisations and community groups to receive social prescribing referrals. Ensure they are supported, have safeguarding processes for children and adults, and can provide opportunities for the young person to develop friendships, a sense of purpose and belonging, and build knowledge, skills and confidence. Have a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other professionals/agencies, when what the person needs is beyond the scope of the Youth Wellbeing Mentor role – e.g. when there is a mental health need requiring a qualified practitioner. 2. Key Tasks 2.1 Build relationships with referral partners and receive referrals from them. Build relationships with key staff in partner and stakeholder organisations (Public Health, Primary Care Networks, schools, Childrens Services, School Nurses etc) and local voluntary and community groups and services. Work in partnership with all local agencies to raise awareness of social prescribing and how partnership working can reduce pressure on statutory services, improve health outcomes and enable a holistic approach to care. Attend relevant meetings, becoming part of the wider network, giving information and feedback on social prescribing. Receive referrals from referral partners and support them to make appropriate referrals. Seek regular feedback from referrers about the quality of service and impact of social prescribing. 2.2 Provide personalised support to young people on an individual basis Decide on the most appropriate place to meet people: this may be a home visit, at Chesterfield Football Club or another appropriate community venue. Meet children and young people on a one-to-one basis. Give them the time they need to tell their own story and to focus on ‘what matters to me’. Build trust with the person, providing non-judgemental support and respecting diversity and lifestyle choices. Work from an asset-based approach by focusing on a person’s strengths. Be a friendly source of information about wellbeing and prevention approaches. Help people identify and understand the wider issues that impact on their health and wellbeing, such as debt, poor housing, loneliness, and caring responsibilities. Work with the person, their families and carers and consider how they can all be supported through social prescribing. Work with individuals to co-produce a simple personalised action plan – based on the person’s priorities, interests, values and motivations – including what they can expect from the groups, activities and services they will be connected to and what the person can do for themselves to improve their health and wellbeing. Where appropriate, accompany clients to community groups, activities, and statutory services, ensuring they are comfortable. Once they have settled in, follow up to ensure they are happy, able to engage, included and receiving good support. Where people may be eligible for a personal health budget, help them to explore this option as a way of providing funded, personalised support to be independent, including helping people to gain skills for meaningful activity, where appropriate. 2.3 Support community groups and VCSE organisations to receive referrals. Forge strong face-to-face and virtual links with local voluntary and community organisations and neighbourhood level groups. Develop mutually supportive relationships with local voluntary and community organisations, community groups and statutory services, to enable timely, appropriate, and supported referrals for the person being introduced. Alert local partners and commissioners to unmet needs within community and gaps in community provision and where possible, work with them to support the development of new groups and services to meet those needs. Where appropriate, encourage people who have been connected to community support through social prescribing to volunteer and give their time freely to others, in order to build their skills and confidence, and strengthen community resilience. Where appropriate, encourage people, their families and carers to provide peer support and to do things together, such as setting up new community groups, mentoring their peers, or volunteering. 2.4 Capture qualitative and quantitative data Support referral agencies to provide appropriate information about the person they are referring. Support referral destinations to provide appropriate information about the outcomes which have resulted from a referral to their activity/service. Work sensitively with young people, their families and carers to capture key information, enabling tracking of the impact of social prescribing on their health and wellbeing. Use impact measuring tools provided, to track the young person’s progress. Record relevant qualitative data for relevant young people in terms of case studies. Encourage young people, their families, and carers to provide feedback and to share their stories about the impact of social prescribing on their lives. Provide appropriate and timely feedback to referral agencies about the young people they referred. 3. General Tasks 3.1 Professional Development Work with the Thr1ve Social Prescribing Senior Team to plan and undertake continual personal and professional development, taking an active part in reviewing and developing the role and its responsibilities. Undertake relevant training as required. Continually update own knowledge and skills within the job role and contribute to setting own work objectives. Adhere to organisational policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety. 3.2 Miscellaneous Work collaboratively with colleagues across Chesterfield Football Club Community Trust to seek feedback, continually improve the service and contribute to business planning. Attend regular staff, supervision, and special purpose meetings. Undertake any tasks consistent with the level of the post and the scope of the role, ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner. Keep young person’s records updated using identified case management system. Duties may vary from time to time, without changing the general character of the post or the level of responsibility. Person Specification. E = Essential D = Desirable Experience. Experience working in a supportive role with children and young people (including in peer support capacity) =E Experience of working in the voluntary and community sector (in a paid or unpaid capacity) – including with volunteers and volunteer-led groups = D Experience of managing a client caseload = D Qualifications/Training Qualified to Level 3 or equivalent or similar demonstrable level of ability = E Knowledge and skills Sound understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic, and environmental factors and their impact on young people and communities = E Sound understanding of the role, benefits, and impact that pro-social community activity can have in improving health and wellbeing = E Excellent IT skills – ability to use word processing skills, emails, spreadsheets, the internet and must be willing to learn case management system. = E Qualities/Attributes A ‘people person’ able to communicate effectively and build rapport with children and young people = E Ability to listen, empathise and give person-centred support in a non-judgemental way = E Ability to provide support in a way that engenders trust, confidence, and enthusiasm = E Ability to maintain effective working relationships and to promote collaborative practice with colleagues and stakeholders across multiple organisations = E A creative and innovative mind-set, and assets-based approach to developing the potential of children and young people = E Ability to use initiative when identifying and networking with community organisations = E Other Knowledge of and ability to work to policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety = E Willingness to work flexibly, including some evening and weekends, to meet the demands of the project = E Full Driving Licence = E Meets DBS reference standards and has a clear criminal record, in line with the law on spent convictions = E Your application must contain your CV and a written covering letter detailing your suitability for the roles using the essential criteria as guidance. Interview Dates 24th & 25th July at The Hub, SMH Group Stadium Benefits: Company pension Discounted or free food Employee discount On-site parking Store discount Schedule: Flexitime Monday to Friday Weekend availability Application question(s): Are you willing to travel across all areas Thrive Social Prescribing cover if necessary? As this role supports vulnerable young people in a 1:1 capacity, establishing trust is essential. How many years experience do you have working with young people and young adults in a supportive role? Licence/Certification: Driving Licence (required) Work Location: In person