Group Facilitator

Job overview

The Group Facilitator is a fast paced, highly rewarding, service user facing role integral to the smooth running and holistic offer of care and treatment to service users using the ARC Hounslow service.

You will need to be creative and possess determination to continually improve and adapt the offers of therapeutic, recovery and skill-based groups in order to promote recovery and independence amongst our service users.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Good communication skills: verbal and written, English to GCSE or equivalent
• Experience in facilitating groups and individuals’ activities
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment
• Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the needs of service users with substance use issues.
• Experience of working / lived experience in substance use and/or mental health settings is an advantage

You will work closely with the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) in leading on the facilitation of Psycho-Social Group interventions and other service user-centred activities.

Main duties of the job

CLINICAL:

1. To facilitate Psycho-Social based Group Work interventions for people experiencing substance use disorders
2. To engage service users into group work and promote a culture of hope and recovery
3. To support Service users to identify the most appropriate group work programme to meet their needs from a range of options.
4. To work closely with local and regional mutual aid groups and community-based aftercare options.
5. To promote and develop the group programme for service users at ARC Hounslow as well as the Recovery Day Programme, ensuring this enhances the therapeutic effect and evidence-based outcomes.
6. To assist service users to identify their strengths, personal interests and goals; providing opportunities for service users to direct their own recovery process.
7. To ensure timely and accurate documentation of all service user contact as well as support with all administrative tasks related to the running of the group work programme.
8. To support the delivery and facilitation of holistic recovery-oriented activities including creative groups and arts-based approaches.

COMMUNICATION:

1. To demonstrate effective communication skills and form positive working relationship, using warmth and empathy that enables service user empowerment.
2. To promote the role of the group work programme within the ARC Hounslow service.
3. Maintain professional relationships with particular attention to confidentiality and the maintenance of boundaries.

Working for our organisation

Job Flexibility

The post holder will be required to work flexibly, providing assistance as and when necessary, which may involve them in a developing role.

Working Relationships

The working relationship between all members of staff should be mutually supportive, with staff deputising and covering for each other when appropriate.

Health and Safety

Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust has a Health and Safety Policy applicable to all employees. Employees must be aware of the responsibility placed on them under the Employment Rights Act 1996, to ensure that agreed safety procedures are carried out, and to maintain a safe environment for employees, patients and visitors.

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

These will be evidence based and will include Motivational Interviewing, Relapse Prevention, Activity based CBT-informed, Positive Psychology and Solution Focused interventions supporting service users from contemplating change through to long term recovery and aftercare.

They will also promote the use of a ‘coaching’ role to support service users in identifying goals and developing personal recovery plans.

Staff are also encouraged to develop their skills through reflection and learning.

The post is based at ARC Hounslow which is a drug and alcohol service supporting service users with substance use issues. The role includes facilitating a programme of social, creative and therapeutic activities to both individuals and groups which promotes social inclusion for service users.

Person specification

Qualifications

• 5 GCSE's at A* - C

Experience

• Experience in facilitating groups and individual activities.
• Experience of working within a team.
• Experience of working with a multi-cultural environment.

• Previous experience of working in a substance use setting / lived experience
• Voluntary experience
• Provision of activities in health services.
• Teaching experience
• Experience of Facilitating Groups

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of personal recovery principles and values
• Evidence of good interpersonal skills and an ability to form peer relationships with service users and carers
• Interviewing skills
• Effective listening skills
• High level communication skills (written, verbal and IT)
• Ability to communicate on all levels and to a broad scope of individuals, both internally and externally to the Trust
• Ability to act calmly and to respond in a professional manner to distress, disturbance and unpredictability
• Ability to see solutions rather than problems
• Good marketing and presentation skills
• Ability to problem solve and create innovative solutions to help empower others
• An awareness of behaviour and interactions as meaningful communications
• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems and other disabilities
• Ability to work independently, flexibly, reliably and consistently with guidance
• Excellent planning, self management and organisational skills
• Effective team player skills
• Ability to challenge issues in relation to stigma, low expectations and discriminatory practice in an effective manner
• Ability to demonstrate practical skills to provide support with daily living activities
• Emotional intelligence and reflectivity with ability to work effectively with others to bring about change in a complex and dynamic organisation
• Demonstrate an understanding of the needs of adolescents with mental health problems.

• Working knowledge of the principles of coproduction
• Understanding of issues related to supporting families

Other

• A preparedness to work flexible hours through prior arrangement as the needs of the job dictate (e.g. some evenings & weekends)
• Ability to travel between locations using own or public transport
• An ability to interact with staff from all disciplines
• An ability to interact with people with mental health problems disabilities
• An ability to act calmly in emergencies and to respond in a professional manner to stressful and challenging behaviour

• An interest in working with young people and their families using different clinical approaches.
• Car Driver

CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond. We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run.

We’re proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.

We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles. For more information on these and other benefits of working for us, see our Benefits, Reward and Wellbeing page

Become part of our team. We care for you as much as you care for others.

CNWL NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.

Due to the high response levels we receive for some vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date and advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13 week probationary period.

If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.