Mental Health & Wellbeing Coach

Vision and values The aim of the NLPCN is to offer high quality patient-centred healthcare which is committed to bringing together GP practices so that they can more effectively work with others. Our ambition is to reduce inequalities in healthcare and improve the quality of health and wellbeing throughout North Lewisham through increased access to high quality, integrated health, and social care. As a PCN, NLPCN operates as part of the local accountable integrated care system, working and collaborating with GP practices, a wide range of healthcare professional, social services professionals as well as local community groups. This enables us to not only focus on direct health services but also on the social and other issues that impact on health thereby enhancing the health and wellbeing of patients and community. We expect all our staff to share the values that are important to the PCN: Equity of quality and equity of access for all residents in and around North Lewisham Providing proactive, personalised, and coordinated care Protecting and supporting general practice whilst also supporting transformation Collaborating and engaging with others to spur on innovation and sustainable working. The Role: The prevalence of mental health disorders within Lewisham is significantly above the UK average and unfortunately the COVID-19 pandemic has further heightened this need. As a result, within the borough of Lewisham we are working together to improve the mental health of the local residents and have taken an asset-based community development and data driven approach to address the inequalities in access to mental healthcare across our communities. As a Mental Health & Wellbeing Coach you will work collaboratively with our Senior Mental Health Practitioner and have access to the wider team which includes social prescribers, care coordinators, health and wellbeing coaches, an advanced nurse practitioner and other professionals for advice and supervision as needed. You will be directly integrated not only with the PCN staff but also with the local mental health trust (South London & Maudsley), to ensure that there is no wrong door into mental health services. The successful applicant will work as part of a team of mental health and wellbeing coaches (MHWCs) and will receive formal Health & Wellbeing Coach Training accredited by the Personalised Care Institute (unless equivalent training already completed). You will see patients with low level mental health needs, whose needs are not best met by existing services and are deemed to benefit from a coaching approach. The majority of patients will be referred by GPs, social prescribers, care-coordinators and other organisations, but you may also act as a first point of contact. You will assess patients and apply a solution focussed approach to help them identify and address their mental health needs. You will be trained to provide a host of brief interventions to address problems such as anxiety, low mood, stress, self-esteem issues, poor coping skills to name a few. In some cases you will be expected to identify and refer/signpost patients to other partner services if there is a concern about levels of risk, safeguarding, or if their needs exceed your scope of expertise. You will also receive weekly group supervision. The role will primary be face-to-face, but there may be some remote working depending on the needs of the services. Main Duties and Responsibilities: Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team as a first point of contact for patients with low-medium level mental health needs Work collaboratively with patients, to develop individualised management plans respecting their health beliefs, access requirements and care preferences to help reduce health inequalities within our communities. Provide brief solution focussed interventions and employ behavioural activation techniques (training to be provided) to enable patients to identify the factors contributing to their poor mental health and empower them to take the steps necessary to address these. To take a holistic (biopsychosocial) approach to mental health, working collaboratively with other PCN staff including social prescribers, GPs and mental health practitioners who may be better suited to meet an individual patients needs, or referring on to another service whether appropriate (e.g., IAPT, voluntary sector organisations) Be aware of your limitations and appropriately escalating patients presenting significant clinical risk or safeguarding concerns to the appropriate colleague (e.g. mental health practitioner, duty GP). This may include initiating safeguarding referrals and referrals on to mental health crisis services where appropriate. Ensure appropriate follow-up and provide ongoing coaching and motivation to promote engagement with services, treatment plans and the development of skills to manage their mental wellbeing more independently. Provide consultations through a variety of modes including face-to-face, telephone and group sessions Maintain accurate clinical records of all patient consultations and related work using the EMIS IT system (training can be provided) Develop links with local GP practices, mental health services and voluntary organisations to provide more integrated support for patients. Complete a range of written reports, as appropriate. To be responsible for the day-to-day planning of personal workloads Attend practice clinical and/or multi-disciplinary team meetings and report to the monthly PCN meeting when requested. Contribute to a patient safety culture through reporting and investigation of incidents and undertaking proactive measures to improve patient safety. Contribute to quality improvement activities as required. Participate in the management of patient complaints when requested to do so and contribute to organisational learning thereof. Apply policies, standards and guidance specific to the role and in the wider PCN Support delivery of GP incentive schemes, quality, or cost effectiveness initiatives where they are related to the role. Supervision & Training: Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes. Engage in regular performance reviews with your clinical supervisor and line manager address any additional training needs identified. Take responsibility for the identification of your own professional development needs and goals.