Introduction

Outreach workers in 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.

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 become verbally abusive, may live in a dirty surroundings and 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 the Lone Working policy and procedure. The team provides a service to the community every day of the year and works on a rota system covering bank holidays, weekends and evenings. The standard working week is 37 hours. On occasions it will be necessary to sleep over in a client’s home for which an additional allowance is 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. 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
• report to the senior outreach worker/manager 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
• enthusiasm
• to be able to work on your own initiative as well as part of a team
• good health and a mature outlook
• a caring nature
• stamina and physical and mental strength.

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.

Estimated salary range

£12,618 – £15,342

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

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.

Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Caring For Your Community.
Alternatively, follow this link to view all career profiles placed in the same job area.

Further Information & Services

General Social Care Council www.gscc.org.uk

Care Council for Wales www.ccwales.org.uk

Northern Ireland Social Care Council www.niscc.info

Scottish Social Services Council www.sssc.uk.com

Social Care Association www.socialcareassociation.co.uk

National Training Organisation for Social Work/Social Care www.topssengland.net

Community Service Volunteers www.csv.org.uk/socialhealthcare

Follow this link for social services recruitment contacts within local councils in your area.

You may find further information about this area of work in your local Connexions service/careers office/school careers library – under J.

What should I do next?

Look for current local government Mental Health Outreach Worker vacancies in the following places:

• LGjobs.com – the official recruitment website for local government.
• Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
• Local council websites.
• Local newspapers
• National newspapers – The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.

Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:

• Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
• Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
• Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in – ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
• Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and training.