Introduction
Outreach or support workers in integrated community services teams
specialise in supporting people with long-term mental health
problems. They help them adapt to ordinary life within the
community by developing coping skills rather than being
institutionalised in a hospital or hostel, within a framework of
positive consultation and joint planning.
Work Environment
The job entails working within the client's home, outside in the
local area, on the wards of the local hospital, and in community or
day centres. Outreach workers have to work with people who
can become verbally abusive, may live in a dirty surroundings and
may also have other sorts of challenging behaviour. This
means that the workers will have a legal responsibility for the
health and safety of themselves and others and adhere to Lone
Working policy and procedures. Teams provide services to the
community every day of the year and work on a rota system covering
bank holidays, weekends and evenings. The standard working
week is usually 37 hours. On occasions it will be necessary
to sleep over in a client's home for which an additional allowance
may be paid.
Daily Activities
Outreach workers provide help and relieve stress for persons with
enduring mental health problems and are responsible to the Senior
Outreach Worker, Community Support Services Manager or Community
Mental Health Officer. They will also provide the same sort
of support to the carer. This will involve the provision of
personal, social and domestic care, training and opportunities to
engage in meaningful activities and experiences at home and within
the local community. They will work closely with all members of the
community team to enable their clients to continue living in the
community with comfort and dignity. The overall aim is to improve
the quality of life of people who have mental health difficulties
and prevent inappropriate admissions to hospital. On a day-to-day
basis the outreach worker will:
- attend the homes of identified individuals/families to carry
out duties and tasks as specified in the care plan designed to
enable a good degree of independent living - for example, go with
the client to collect welfare benefits or a pension;
- listen and give consideration to what both the client and carer
would like to do and help them as best they can;
- identify deterioration in clients which will enable action to
be taken to help them, for example with physical care such as
bathing, cooking and so on;
- monitor and oversee any medication prescribed by qualified
medical practitioners and check for any changes that have been made
in dosage;
- provide a safe environment for those who need long-term
supervision and support;
- help the client with preparation of meals, shopping, cleaning
and laundry;
- note any significant changes in clients health, outlook and
behaviour and refer upwards for advice about what action to
take;
- assist in any assessment procedures;
- provide regular verbal and written reports to the senior
outreach worker/manager and in particular raise any issues about
any alteration in the client's family circumstances;
- manage the induction process of newly appointed outreach
staff.
Skills & Interests
To do the job well you would need:
- an understanding of mental health issues;
- good interpersonal skills;
- ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally;
- capable of maintaining appropriate written records;
- awareness of confidentiality;
- to be able to work on your own initiative as well as part of a
team;
- awareness of health and safety issues for others and self;
- a caring nature;
- be able to follow instructions as part of a planned program of
care;
- awareness of equalities legislation.
Entry Requirements
It is essential to have at least one year's experience of
working/caring for people with mental health problems, and be
willing to undertake further training. It is desirable that
you have an NVQ Level 3 in Care, or be working towards an NVQ
relevant to this area of work. A Criminal Records Bureau
vetting check will be a requirement for this job.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
It might be difficult work but there is considerable satisfaction
to be gained from helping people with difficulties manage their
lives more effectively. In social work the demand for staff
is greater than the supply, so there are many opportunities for
advancement. The promotion path within this particular area
would lead to the posts of Community Support Services Manager,
Community Mental Health Officer or Senior Outreach Worker.
There are also care management posts to aspire to. With
outreach work there is the chance to work on special issues like
drugs and alcohol dependence, asylum seekers, Aids and so on.
As a long-term aim you could progress by studying for the Diploma
in Social Work.
Further Information & Services
Care Council for Wales www.ccwales.org.uk
Community Service Volunteers www.csv.org.uk/socialhealthcare
Skills for Care www.skillsforcare.org.uk
Social Care Association www.socialcareassociation.co.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.