Job summary Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust is dedicated to improving the lives of people with Complex Emotional and Relational Needs (CERN), previously called 'personality disorder'. Our clients have complex presentations and require tailored, compassionate support. Our innovative, collaborative approach includes Structured Clinical Management (SCM), as part of the CERN pathway. Our Link Workers and Practitioners in the SCM team work together, alongside our service users, to deliver effective, structured, complex case management. Link Workers work to establish meaningful engagement with people who may not yet be ready to access the full SCM treatment programme. We are delighted to be recruiting to this new role in Bury SCM team, established through new funding for our developing CERN pathway. We are seeking a dynamic, thoughtful, and empathic SCM Link Worker to join our Bury SCM team and wider CERN Pathway. In this pivotal role, you will work with a small, dedicated caseload of clients with complex needs, providing stabilisation, assessment, formulation, and intervention. You will be supported to do this through training, individual, and group supervision. You will be part of a team, working proactively to tailor outreach, bridging support to help guide individuals towards appropriate therapeutic care in the SCM or wider CERN pathway. Main duties of the job Key Responsibilities Complex Case Management: Provide person-centred, trauma-informed support to individuals presenting with complex emotional and relational needs, including high-risk presentations. Outreach and Engagement: Build trusting relationships with individuals who may be reluctant or ambivalent about accessing formal therapeutic interventions. Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Conduct thorough assessments of clinical risk and safety planning in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Bridge to SCM: Prepare clients for structured therapeutic engagement by delivering preparatory interventions, psychoeducation, and emotional support. Collaborative Working: Work closely with mental health professionals, community services, and other stakeholders to ensure holistic care and coordinated service delivery. Support Planning: Develop and implement personalised care plans that reflect the individual's goals, strengths, and challenges. Team Working: Working collaboratively with colleagues in SCM and the wider CERN pathway in a thoughtful, reflective way. Learning: Adopting a reflective approach to life-long learning, accepting compassionate, constructive feedback, and supporting others to develop and learn. About us The Trust is committed to the following values Kindnesswe believe that care and compassion underpin everything Fairness we work together towards a fairer, more just and equal society. Ingenuitywe are resourceful and innovative in developing better solutions Determinationwe are courageous, tenacious and ambitious for what we can achieve together. Date posted 19 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 311-B447-25 Job locations Humphrey House 4 Angouleme Way Bury BL9 0EQ Job description Job responsibilities Main Duties & Responsibilities To provide psychological formulation, mental health and risk assessments for service users referred to the service with complex needs To demonstrate the application of specialist skills and knowledge in giving specialist advice to colleagues and other agencies on approaches to service users with CERN needs. To act as case holder for a group of people with CERN needs, working to best practice guidelines and in a psychologically minded, trauma informed way. To ensure that service users social care needs are assessed under the Care Act and addressed according to locality/ service procedures To work with service users and carers collaboratively as equal partners in care. To demonstrate high level communication skills to facilitate effective communication even where there are barriers to understanding and utilise highly developed interpersonal and negotiation skills in highly emotive, antagonistic situations To develop in collaboration with the service user care plans and safety plans designed to provide a personalised approach to managing risk behaviours and suicidality in the context of personality disorder maximising choice and control for the service user To lead on multi-agency approaches to care with other health and social care providers, the Police and ambulance service to provide a consistent approach to and understanding of the service user needs To lead/ contribute to group therapeutic approaches with this client group using a structured clinical management framework To prepare/ encourage service users towards specific treatment approaches such as SCM or therapy as appropriate To provide therapeutic 1-1 sessions for service users working to specified agreed goals and outcomes To make onward referrals and signpost to other services including VCSE and neighbourhood services to enable wrap around, holistic support for service users undergoing treatment to meet a broad range of need To provide specific training for teams and services as required To delegate for team manager when required and represent the team/ service when required to do so at other forums To provide specialist supervision to other practitioners as directed In conjunction with team managers, other practitioners, service users and carers to develop and maintain the SOP for the service To take a QI approach to continuously develop the service in conjunction with the team, service users and carers To lead on investigations, IRs and complaints responses as directed and ensure any learning is embedded in changes to practice To be involved in team recruitment and selection as directed To be involved in the training, preceptorship and development of junior staff members and learners and students from all disciplines To assist team managers in the appropriate use of resources in the team and ensuring the team budget is balanced Participate in data collection, meeting team KPIs, audit and research as necessary and directed. Managerial To provide strong leadership and vision to the team maintaining robust quality assurance to enable a safe high quality service to be delivered. To direct staff and provide expert advice and guidance on the management of service users care. To ensure that work allocated to staff is commensurate with their skill set and level of training. To manage and maintain systems for planning and allocation of work and for the setting and reviewing of targets, standards and priorities to the team. To ensure professional supervision systems are in place. To participate in the recruitment and appointment of staff within agreed HR procedures. To hold regular team meetings and develop the team. To respond to enquiries and complaints within the framework of the complaints procedure. To work in partnership with other statutory, independent sector and other agencies, in the effective discharge of the duties of the post. To manage staff sickness through the agreed sickness management policy/procedures and to provide regular monitoring reports to the line manager. To deal appropriately with clinical incidents and complaints in accordance with trust policies. Ensure all staff are appropriately trained to meet the requirements of their role and any issues with performance are addressed. To work with and monitor performance indicators to achieve key performance indicators. To ensure all resources are used effectively and efficiently and within budget. To be signatory for the team and ensure all financial procedures are administered according to the Trust Standing Financial Instructions. To contribute to audits as required, providing relevant data as required in line with performance monitoring targets. This job description is not exhaustive, but is intended to give an overall picture of the role. Other duties within the general scope of the post may be required from time to time. The duties of the post and job description can be reviewed through the agreed process. Job description Job responsibilities Main Duties & Responsibilities To provide psychological formulation, mental health and risk assessments for service users referred to the service with complex needs To demonstrate the application of specialist skills and knowledge in giving specialist advice to colleagues and other agencies on approaches to service users with CERN needs. To act as case holder for a group of people with CERN needs, working to best practice guidelines and in a psychologically minded, trauma informed way. To ensure that service users social care needs are assessed under the Care Act and addressed according to locality/ service procedures To work with service users and carers collaboratively as equal partners in care. To demonstrate high level communication skills to facilitate effective communication even where there are barriers to understanding and utilise highly developed interpersonal and negotiation skills in highly emotive, antagonistic situations To develop in collaboration with the service user care plans and safety plans designed to provide a personalised approach to managing risk behaviours and suicidality in the context of personality disorder maximising choice and control for the service user To lead on multi-agency approaches to care with other health and social care providers, the Police and ambulance service to provide a consistent approach to and understanding of the service user needs To lead/ contribute to group therapeutic approaches with this client group using a structured clinical management framework To prepare/ encourage service users towards specific treatment approaches such as SCM or therapy as appropriate To provide therapeutic 1-1 sessions for service users working to specified agreed goals and outcomes To make onward referrals and signpost to other services including VCSE and neighbourhood services to enable wrap around, holistic support for service users undergoing treatment to meet a broad range of need To provide specific training for teams and services as required To delegate for team manager when required and represent the team/ service when required to do so at other forums To provide specialist supervision to other practitioners as directed In conjunction with team managers, other practitioners, service users and carers to develop and maintain the SOP for the service To take a QI approach to continuously develop the service in conjunction with the team, service users and carers To lead on investigations, IRs and complaints responses as directed and ensure any learning is embedded in changes to practice To be involved in team recruitment and selection as directed To be involved in the training, preceptorship and development of junior staff members and learners and students from all disciplines To assist team managers in the appropriate use of resources in the team and ensuring the team budget is balanced Participate in data collection, meeting team KPIs, audit and research as necessary and directed. Managerial To provide strong leadership and vision to the team maintaining robust quality assurance to enable a safe high quality service to be delivered. To direct staff and provide expert advice and guidance on the management of service users care. To ensure that work allocated to staff is commensurate with their skill set and level of training. To manage and maintain systems for planning and allocation of work and for the setting and reviewing of targets, standards and priorities to the team. To ensure professional supervision systems are in place. To participate in the recruitment and appointment of staff within agreed HR procedures. To hold regular team meetings and develop the team. To respond to enquiries and complaints within the framework of the complaints procedure. To work in partnership with other statutory, independent sector and other agencies, in the effective discharge of the duties of the post. To manage staff sickness through the agreed sickness management policy/procedures and to provide regular monitoring reports to the line manager. To deal appropriately with clinical incidents and complaints in accordance with trust policies. Ensure all staff are appropriately trained to meet the requirements of their role and any issues with performance are addressed. To work with and monitor performance indicators to achieve key performance indicators. To ensure all resources are used effectively and efficiently and within budget. To be signatory for the team and ensure all financial procedures are administered according to the Trust Standing Financial Instructions. To contribute to audits as required, providing relevant data as required in line with performance monitoring targets. This job description is not exhaustive, but is intended to give an overall picture of the role. Other duties within the general scope of the post may be required from time to time. The duties of the post and job description can be reviewed through the agreed process. Person Specification Experience Essential Proven experience of working with people with complex personality disorder Significant post registration experience working at band 6 Proven experience of completing mental health assessments, risk assessments and risk management plans without direct supervision Experience of leading MDT and multi-agency working coordinated around service users Significant experience of working with service users experiencing suicidal ideation and self harm Experience of leading multi-agency safeguarding processes/investigations Experience of giving expert advice and supervising the work of professionally qualified staff Desirable Previous experience of working to a model of SCM Care coordination of people with personality disorder Completing Care Act assessments and commissioning processes Knowledge Essential NICE Guidelines and current best practice in the management of people with personality disorder Specialist knowledge of approaches to working with this service user group STORM principles Current best practice in approaches to management of self-harm Trauma informed approaches to care Psychological formulation and approaches to working with this client group Care Act and Social Care processes for commissioning Desirable SCM principles Skills and Abilities Essential Ability to work collaboratively with service users 1-1 and in group settings Ability to negotiate and provide consistency of approaches to care Evidence of ability to provide specialist mental health assessment and risk assessment/management and be accountable for decision making Evidence of ability to manage a complex caseload without direct supervision Ability to provide therapeutic interventions for this client group Ability to communicate effectively and provide coherent reports and documentation according to Trust documentation standards Ability to lead collaborative approaches to care planning with other agencies providing specialist advice and expertise to colleagues Ability to manage own emotions, and those of others in significantly challenging situations Ability to plan own workload and direct the work of others and prioritise without direct supervision Ability to be assertive and engage in difficult conversations with clients, carers and other professionals Desirable Ability to undertake Care Act assessments and commissioning processes Work Related Circumstances Essential A keen interest in working with this client group Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust's Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure Person Specification Experience Essential Proven experience of working with people with complex personality disorder Significant post registration experience working at band 6 Proven experience of completing mental health assessments, risk assessments and risk management plans without direct supervision Experience of leading MDT and multi-agency working coordinated around service users Significant experience of working with service users experiencing suicidal ideation and self harm Experience of leading multi-agency safeguarding processes/investigations Experience of giving expert advice and supervising the work of professionally qualified staff Desirable Previous experience of working to a model of SCM Care coordination of people with personality disorder Completing Care Act assessments and commissioning processes Knowledge Essential NICE Guidelines and current best practice in the management of people with personality disorder Specialist knowledge of approaches to working with this service user group STORM principles Current best practice in approaches to management of self-harm Trauma informed approaches to care Psychological formulation and approaches to working with this client group Care Act and Social Care processes for commissioning Desirable SCM principles Skills and Abilities Essential Ability to work collaboratively with service users 1-1 and in group settings Ability to negotiate and provide consistency of approaches to care Evidence of ability to provide specialist mental health assessment and risk assessment/management and be accountable for decision making Evidence of ability to manage a complex caseload without direct supervision Ability to provide therapeutic interventions for this client group Ability to communicate effectively and provide coherent reports and documentation according to Trust documentation standards Ability to lead collaborative approaches to care planning with other agencies providing specialist advice and expertise to colleagues Ability to manage own emotions, and those of others in significantly challenging situations Ability to plan own workload and direct the work of others and prioritise without direct supervision Ability to be assertive and engage in difficult conversations with clients, carers and other professionals Desirable Ability to undertake Care Act assessments and commissioning processes Work Related Circumstances Essential A keen interest in working with this client group Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust's Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Pennine Care NHS FT Address Humphrey House 4 Angouleme Way Bury BL9 0EQ Employer's website https://www.penninecare.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)