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OPPORTUNITY: Mental Health Practitioner

by | Oct 5, 2023 | Uncategorized

Opportunity: Mental Health Practitioner at SICK! Festival 

SICK! Productions is seeking to expand our pool of experienced and effective Mental Health Practitioners to support our Creative Team to deliver Creative projects across 2024-2025. 

Specifically supporting our Community Mental Health Arts Programmes (SMASH! Women & Girls and SMASH! Mixed), which form part of our creative engagement with Moston, Harpurhey and Charlestown Manchester. 

Reports to: Creative Producer (Communities) 

Contract: Freelance contract 

Salary: £165 per session 

Duration: October 2023 – ongoing 

Hours: Based on 3 hours per session 

Role Context: Social Prescribing Mental Health Arts Programme 

SMASH! Women and Girls sessions take place 3 times per month: 

  • on Wednesdays 6.30 – 8.30pm 
  • at Manchester Youth Zone, 931 Rochdale Road, Harpurhey, M9 8AE. 

SMASH! Mixed sessions take place 3 times per month: 

  • on Fridays 10.30am – 12.30 midday 
  • at Number 93, 93 Church Lane, Harpurhey, M9 5BG. 

Manchester City Council and The Pilgrim Trust have invested in SICK! to develop, deliver and evaluate a Social Prescribing Mental Health Arts Programme over the course of 2023 – 2026. 

Referrals are made to SICK! for individuals accessing Mental Health services in the community, to access our programme of creative engagement. The programme comprises cultural visits, artists-led sessions and other creative workshops. 

Role Responsibilities: 

  • Provide safe and effective support for participants accessing the programme who require support around their mental health, discuss any issues raised and ensure the correct professional support is put in place in a timely manner. 
  • Provide advice, consultation and support for staff and artists delivering the programme 
  • Advise on safeguarding measures required during programme sessions 
  • Ensure that the elements of the programme are delivered in a safe and supportive environment and that appropriate action (where needed) is undertaken. 
  • Preview the content of programme elements and raise any points of concern regarding participant’s involvement 
  • Ensure that participants are informed about the format and content of programme elements at the start of each session, and ensure that they are aware of the safeguarding processes that are in place to support them. 
  • Undertake a short de-brief session with participants following each session to allow concerns to be shared with lead artists and SICK! Productions staff 
  • Ensure that concerns raised are addressed with SICK! Productions staff and inform further delivery of the programme 
  • Provide on-site one-to-one support in a professional capacity to allow participants to share issues and devise an appropriate action plan 
  • In instances requiring immediate intervention, the MHP will be responsible for contacting and communicating with emergency support for mental health and stay with the young person until appropriate support is in place 
  • The MHP will be responsible for following up on referrals to mental health services ensuring that action has been taken and that the client is fully aware of, and accessing the relevant services. 

    Person Specification 

    Training, Qualifications & Experience 

    ESSENTIAL: 

    Appropriate Mental Health Qualification. At least one from the following: 

    1. Valid Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC) registration 
    2. British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) CP Certificate of proficiency 
    3. Level 4 Accredited Counselling Qualification 
    4. Other recognised counselling qualification which meets BACP membership criteria qualification 
    5. British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) accredited qualification course 
    6. Evidenced / verifiable attainment of BABCP criteria for accreditation via KSA (Knowledge, skills, and attitudes).  

    • Professional experience in providing effective psycho-social support to individuals experiencing difficulties with their emotional well-being and mental health..
    • A working understanding of risk management including safeguarding, confidentiality, information governance, escalation and de-escalation of referrals, disclosure continuity and data protection. 
    • Experience working with vulnerable individuals from a diversity of backgrounds and ages with complex lives and/or mental health difficulties. 
    • Experience in working closely with a variety of professionals working across sectors and disciplines. 
    • An understanding of the personal, social, and cultural factors that can impact an individual’s experience of mental health difficulties. 
    • Experience and understanding of working with NHS Mental Health Services. 
    • Recognition of the need to be accountable for work through supervision, performance management and other relevant processes. 

    DESIRABLE: 

    • Experience of working with artists and creative practitioners within a mental health context. 
    • Experience of working with individuals on a one-one basis and in a group setting. 
    • Knowledge of the broad issues surrounding emotional well-being / mental health and resilience for individuals across Greater Manchester. email info@sickfestival.com or call 0161 696 6410 

    For further information: 

    To apply: 

    • please send a cover letter and CV to Danielle Porter, Creative Producer (Communities) 
    • danielle@sickfestival.com 

    Applications are open and being reviewed on a rolling basis, we encourage you to apply early.