Link Worker

Can you engage with a diverse range of children and young people and enable them to improve their mental health and wellbeing?

Are you looking for a role that supports a positive work life balance, and offers flexibility in working hours?

Barnardo's, in partnership with Oxford Health NHS Trust, are seeking suitably qualified and highly motivated full or part time Link Workers to join a newly established service in Swindon. Link Workers will work alongside Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) to offer non-clinical support to children and young people, including:

• 1:1 and group support for wellbeing


• Social prescribing and community navigation


• Community and school-based support


• Advice and guidance, including self-help


This role offers a unique opportunity to work as a Barnardo's employee, under an honorary NHS contract, contributing to the wellbeing of the community's youth. Link Workers will be adaptable and flexible to the needs of children and young people, offering support in places and spaces across Swindon., Actively demonstrate Barnardo's Basis and Values and Equality & Diversity Code of Conduct in all areas of work:

• Respecting the unique worth of every person


• Encouraging people to fulfil their potential


• Working with hope


• Exercising responsible stewardship


Barnardo's and the NHS are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will undergo relevant checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure.

When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification and Additional Information document. This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described.

Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.

Pre-employment checks will be required for the role


• Qualification in a relevant field such as Youth Work, Psychology, Education, social Care or equivalent.


• Willingness to complete Social Prescribing - Learning for Link Workers Training.


Experience:

• Demonstrable experience working with children, young people, and families in a mental health or social care setting.


• Proven ability to conduct assessments, develop support plans, and provide advocacy for vulnerable individuals.


Knowledge:

• Understanding of child and adolescent mental health issues, including common disorders, symptoms, and the role of the CAMHS Link Worker.


• Familiarity with safeguarding protocols and procedures, ensuring the welfare of children and young people.


• Knowledge of local community resources, mental health support services, and referral pathways.


Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.


• Strong interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.


• Organisational skills to manage caseloads, documentation, and reporting requirements efficiently.


• IT proficiency, including experience with relevant software for recording and reporting purposes., Compassionate and empathetic approach to supporting the mental health needs of children, young people, and families.


• Ability to work autonomously and make sound decisions within established guidelines.


• Flexible and adaptable, capable of responding to changing priorities and demands effectively.


• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, promoting a culture of respect and understanding.


Desirable Criteria:

• Experience working within the CAMHS or similar mental health services.
  
  When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification, Job Description and Additional Information document (if applicable). This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described. We are committed to welcoming people from a diverse background, culture and experience. Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore are open to offering flexible working arrangements.


Swindon locality based at CAMHS Marlborough House, Okus Road, Swindon.
Pay & Reward Framework

We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values. We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people.

For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out 1st April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a key pillar of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to grow and develop in their career at Barnardo's as it will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues to progress through the pay band of their role., About Barnardo's
At Barnardo's we believe in children - no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through. Please read about our basis and values following the link below. You will be asked questions relating to them as part of the recruitment process for this role.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is reflected in our values and our practice, and we have invested in this area of our work to ensure that we can deliver on our commitments to be an inclusive employer. EDI is a key enabler of our purpose as a charity and we want to ensure that the diversity of our teams is reflective of the communities we serve and that we continue to learn and develop our work with a focus on inclusion. We particularly encourage applications from candidates from Black, Asian and Minoritised Ethnic Communities, candidates who are LGBT+ and Disabled candidates.

Workplace Offer: What it means for you

The world of work has changed. We are understanding of what works best for our colleagues both current and future as we look to embrace this new way of working. Our hybrid working initiative is based on trust, flexibility and empowerment. We understand our workplace offer means different things to different people, and we encourage those conversations. This may mean working at one of our stores, services, working at home, at one of our Collaboration Hubs or any combination of these.

• Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.


• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing after 5 years service


• The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our HolidayPlus scheme


• A host of family friendly leave options including company Maternity Paternity and Adoption pay; together with all family additional leave options


• Service related sick pay from day 1


• Access to a Group Personal Pension with a matched 4% or 6% contribution from Barnardo's. Ability to pay via salary sacrifice to garner both tax and NI savings on your own contribution


• Death in service cover of 4x annual earnings for all staff contributing to our Group Personal Pension


• Cycle2work scheme


• Interest free season ticket loans


• Discounts and cashback from at high street shops including major supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via our Benefit Portal


• 20% discount at Barnardo's stores


• Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc


• Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support


• Access to Barnardo's Learning and Development offer