Inpatient Services Volunteer Coordinator

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South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We deliver specialist services in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Wandsworth and Richmond.

We are committed to provide a high quality and specialist care to our service users and we are recognised for our care and treatment we provide. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good'.

We launched our five-year strategy, Aiming High; Changing Lives in 2021 together with Our Care Improvement System as our quality management system methodology to make a positive impact on patient care, outcomes and staff experience. By joining SLaM, all staff will get the opportunity to be part of this exciting improvement journey supported with learning and development to harness everyone's potential as change makers.

The trust recognises the unique and valuable contribution that people with lived experience of mental illness can bring to a role. We therefore welcome applications from people with lived experience and consider them as an asset to the Trust.

Our Values

We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values and our promise to be caring, kind, polite, prompt, honest, listen and do what I say I'm going to do is at the heart of everything we do. When you join us, you'll be part of something special.

As a Trust we are happy to talk flexible working.

Job overview

The post holder will be responsible for the development and delivery of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Inpatient Volunteer Project generously funded by the Maudsley Charity. The success of this project is based on the unique value volunteers have in supporting patients, service users and the service as a whole - their ability to relate, build trust, offer support, and be part of journeys of recovery. The Maudsley Charity has offered this opportunity to focus on the power of volunteers and volunteering and to develop this project, which we're excited to now recruit to. The post holder will work closely with the Volunteer Services Manager, The Volunteer Services Team and SLaM Staff across the Trust. The post holder will continually develop and sustain the Project which will have a structured learning, development and support component to encourage volunteers to reflect and learn from their experience. The post holder will be a need to reach out to the local community to recruit volunteers and establish the project.

Main duties of the job
• To work with the Volunteer Services Manager and SLaM staff in the delivery of the Service.
• To recruit, engage, support and supervise Volunteers.
• To work towards establishing and embedding the Service in the Trust
• To work across the Trust at the three Hospitals.
• Support with delivering the training programme which enables volunteers to support Inpatients.
• To design structured learning and development components to ensure volunteers are aware of the importance of boundaries in a mental health setting.
• To support with Service Users' transition from wards to the community.
• To utilize volunteer management software (Assemble) to support in all parts of the job.
• To facilitate the volunteers' inductions on the wards.
• To support ward staff with supervision of ward volunteers.
• To facilitate and support with review meetings and if needed ward rounds.
• To work closely with the volunteer manager and volunteer coordinators across the Trust to share good practice and support with the governance and administration of the Volunteer Service.

Working for our organisation

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) has a well-established Volunteering Service, funded through a partnership between the Trust and the Maudsley Charity. The service is led by a Volunteer Services Manager, supported by Volunteer Service Deputy Manager, Volunteer Coordinators and a Volunteer Service Administrator. Volunteers are involved across Services in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; volunteers also support with projects in Bexley and Wandsworth.

Since the service was formally established in 2013, we have welcomed over 4000 volunteers in a wide variety of roles across the Trust. In the last 12 months we have had 475 new volunteers. Their input has encompassed direct involvement with people who use our services, as well as administrative and other support roles.

We currently provide volunteering opportunities for people aged 16 and above.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. To sustain and continue the development of Inpatient Ward Volunteers with support from the Volunteer Services Manager and Staff Teams.

• To work with the Volunteer Services Manager and SLaM staff in the delivery of the Service.
• To recruit, engage, support and supervise Volunteers.
• To work towards establishing and embedding the Service in the Trust
• To work across the Trust at the three Hospitals.
• Support with delivering the training programme which enables volunteers to support Inpatients.
• To design structured learning and development components to ensure volunteers are aware of the importance of boundaries in a mental health setting.
• To support with Service Users' transition from wards to the community.
• To utilize volunteer management software (Assemble) to support in all parts of the job.
• To facilitate the volunteers' inductions on the wards.
• To support ward staff with supervision of ward volunteers.
• To facilitate and support with review meetings and if needed ward rounds.
• To work closely with the volunteer manager and volunteer coordinators across the Trust to share good practice and support with the governance and administration of the Volunteer Service.
• To develop quality standards and guidance for staff included in the programme to support inpatient volunteers.
• To submit data regarding volunteer hours and demographics for quarterly reports to NHS England.
• To work with the Data, Impact and Evaluation Manager to look at the Impact Volunteers make in their roles.
• To submit reports and evaluate the project.

1. Recruit, engage and support volunteer to have meaningful placements.

• Plan and run advertising campaigns to appeal to a diverse range of people to encourage them to apply and join the service.
• Manage with the support from the volunteer services manager the recruitment and selection of the volunteer and offering feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
• Support with recruitment events and activities in the local community to promote the project.
• Hold information sessions for prospective volunteers during holiday periods and Saturdays.

1. Delivery

• Be the main point of contact and support for volunteer and relevant staff.
• Deliver regular co-produced induction training sessions for new volunteers.
• Plan and run training and other learning opportunities for volunteers to support them in their role.
• Liaise with the SLaM Recovery College and opportunities for volunteers accessing courses.
• Work with the Volunteer Services Manager to record all information about the project.
• Run monthly support group meetings for volunteers.
• Be aware of the ongoing management of the volunteer policies for the service including resolution of any issues that arise and seek support as appropriate.
• Escalate any issues in relation to volunteers that pose a reputational, health and safety or safeguarding risk to the Volunteer Services Manager.
• Create a positive and encouraging environment for SLaM volunteers.

1. General Duties and Building Relationships

• Create effective relationships within the ward staff.
• Represent the interests of and provide inspirational leadership for the volunteers and play a part in supporting the patient experience across the Trust.
• Provide advice and support to staff.
• Maintain accurate records and adhere to the Trust Data Protection obligations.
• To take part in the Volunteer Service and Charity meetings.
• Participate in regular supervision, yearly appraisals, objective setting and monitoring.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge and awareness of best practise and current issues in the voluntary sector specifically within the context of the NHS and mental healthcare provision.
• Work closely with the Volunteer Services Manager to manage and maintain an effective service.

Person specification

Essential and Desirable

Essential criteria

• Qualifications or Equivalent
• A working knowledge of good practice in volunteering and the ability to develop policies and procedures.
• Passionate about the benefits of volunteering to both volunteers and organisations.
• Experience of working with or supporting Service Users and Volunteers.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of Mental Health Services and knowledge of co-production in learning
• Evaluation of projects.

The Trust is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and that promote equality of opportunity. We are a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community and people of all protected characteristics. We provide reasonable adjustments for candidates with a disability and are committed to treating people fairly with compassion, respect and dignity and in promoting equality and human rights. We aim to put this commitment into practice by:

• Embedding our commitment to tackling inequality, eliminating discrimination and harassment; promoting equality of opportunity and fostering good relations in our everyday practice
• Ensuring that all our services and all staff understand and support our commitment
• We believe that people who use our services, their carers and our staff, should be treated with compassion, respect and dignity

Please note:

• That all applications for this post will need to be made online
• That you read and understand the Job Description and Personal Specification attached to the role. Your Statement in Support should reflect the requirements specified as your application will be judged against these criteria
• That the closing date listed is a guide only and that the vacancy may close earlier should sufficient number of applicants have been received. We advise that you submit your application as early as possible
• That once you have submitted your application you agree to your application being transferred to a 3rd party e-recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs
• That should you not have heard from us within three weeks from the closing date your application has not successful
• That priority consideration for applications may be given to at-risk NHS employees
• That should you be successful and appointed, you authorise South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to confirm your previous NHS service via an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process
• That we are a smoke-free Trust

SLaM is a Stonewall Diversity Champion , Stonewall is the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans (LGBT) rights charity in Europe'

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Volunteer Services Inpatient Volunteer Coordinator (PDF, 464.6KB)
• SLaM Staff Benefits (PDF, 1.1MB)
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working (PDF, 680.1KB)