Activities Co-ordinator

Responsibilities

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic individual to join the Hopewood team as their new Activity Co‑Ordinator to work across The Lookout Adolescent Unit.

The successful candidate will work primarily on Pegasus Ward, Specialist Eating Disorder Unit but provide consistent, timetabled support to both Hercules Ward (Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit) and Phoenix Ward (General Adolescent Unit). The role will involve working with patients directly and with the ward therapy and nursing teams to plan and facilitate daily individual and group activity programmes that provide therapeutic and meaningful social and physical activities, enhancing patients' quality of life and supporting their physical and psychological well‑being.

Activities are generally ward‑based, but there is opportunity to organise and facilitate activities off the ward with patients. The time of work will vary across a seven‑day rota and include weekends and occasional bank holidays.

The role will involve working with young people with mental health issues, which will require you to be creative in your approach, dynamic in understanding and assessing risk and developing ideas in engaging young people in activity and making these activities meaningful. You will need to work under your own initiative with guidance from the Ward Manager, Occupational Therapist, Nursing, and wider Therapy team.

Under the guidance of a registered Occupational Therapist (OT) and the Ward Manager, you will assist in the delivery of therapeutic activities for young people, including a range of creative social and physical activities carried out in the ward environment and the local community.

Under the supervision and guidance of the Ward Manager and input from the Occupational Therapist, the post holder will assist in the delivery of therapeutic interventions within the service, motivating and engaging patients in a wide range of individual and group activities.

A full UK driving licence and vehicle for business use is required for this post; however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Please note that this post does not meet the pay level required for a Skilled Worker visa. Successful applicants with no prior NHS experience would normally be placed at the bottom of the band in line with Agenda for Change.

Applicants requiring a Skilled Worker Visa can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship against the relevant criteria here  Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced); this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first two months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.

• NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent level of knowledge and experience
• Willingness to undertake training as appropriate to role and service
• Ability to use own initiative and work both independently and as part of a team
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Good IT skills
• Good interpersonal skills including managing challenging behaviour
• Group work skills
• Self‑motivated and able to motivate others
• Excellent time‑management skills
• Ability to work within budget limitations and manage resources
• Basic awareness of mental health illnesses
• Understanding of Safeguarding training
• Willingness to undertake new clinical practices, education and training that will enhance service delivery
• Has the physical ability to perform the range of duties described in the job description and undertake training as relevant to role including the management of violence and aggression
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service (including unsocial hours and bank holidays)
• All colleagues are expected to demonstrate at interview that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values:
  Trust, Honesty, Respect, Compassion, Teamwork
• All colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust's expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation, providing activities and adapting to meet different needs
• Experience and knowledge of working with children and young people
• Experience of working in a health or social care setting
• Previous experience of facilitating groups