Recovery Worker

Touchstone is a multi-award-winning mental health and wellbeing charity operating in communities across Yorkshire. Touchstone understands that we can only deliver excellence to the people we serve if the people we recruit are happy, empowered, supported to reach their potential and trusted to lead.

We are pleased announce two posts available in the above role. As a Recovery Worker you will deliver specific components of prescribed care packages under the direct supervision of Care Coordinators and Clinical Leads within the Community Rehabilitation Team. The post holders will provide structured support and practical assistance to service users in order for them to take control over their own lives and engage actively in their own recovery process. We welcome applications from people with lived experience of mental health difficulties, and the service encourages the use of the wisdom gained through personal ‘lived’ experience - all candidates must have strong values around recovery, social inclusion and diversity. The posts require you to work with service users of all ages (over 18) and to provide a flexible service over 7 days between the hours of 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on weekends.

The Complex Psychosis Pathway provides a whole system approach to Mental Health Rehabilitation and Assertive Community Treatment in Leeds, which includes Newsam Ward 5 (Level 2 Rehab & relocating to Parkside Lodge), Asket Croft and Asket House inpatient settings, (Level 1 Rehab), the Community Rehabilitation Team and Assertive Outreach Team. The pathway also includes Rehabilitation practitioners embedded within the Community Hubs providing early rehabilitative and reablement interventions and enabling transitions for service users between Community Services and more intensive Assertive Outreach and Community Rehabilitation Support. These are clinical delivery services.

The pathway includes an out of area /Trust case management role and mental health placement reviewer for people with complex psychosis who are placed in Level 2 rehabilitation Independent Hospitals outside of the Trust or in funded residential placements.

In addition, Leeds Recovery College, Arts and Minds and the Volunteers Service are included within the pathway, providing innovative networks supporting social inclusion and a recovery ethos, while continuing to serve the citywide populations of Leeds, LYPFT and care services directorates.

The pathway provides treatment, intervention and vocational opportunities for people and their families living with complex needs, associated with psychosis and with significant reductions in quality of life, described within NICE guidance as “severe and treatment resistant symptoms”. Many people also experience other serious and cooccurring conditions that severely affect activities of daily living, social functioning, physical health, welfare, and limit vocational opportunities.

The pathway provides a strong recovery ethos, with flexibility for differing levels of need and longer-term support where necessary, and in the least restrictive environment possible. The pathway aims to provide a whole person approach working together with individuals and their families on agreed goals that improve mental and physical health, welfare, social inclusion and psychological wellbeing that maximises independence and quality of life.    

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The role of the Recovery Worker is to deliver specific components of prescribed care packages under the direct supervision of Senior Rehabilitation Practitioners and Clinical Leads. The post holder will provide formalised support and assistance to service users in order for them to take control over their own lives and engage actively in their unique recovery process.

We welcome applications from people with lived experience of mental health difficulties and the service encourages the use of the wisdom gained through personal ‘lived’ experience, to inspire hope in others and the belief that recovery is possible for all. Within a relationship of mutuality the peer support model can facilitate and support information sharing to promote choice, self-determination, and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles with connection to local communities.

The post holder will be part of the Community Rehabilitation Team and will work into the Level 1 and Level 2 inpatient units and in the community with service users that present with complex needs. The post requires effective liaison with service users, carers, and other professionals and agencies as required. It will involve the provision of psychological based care, offering therapeutic time to a defined client group working at all times within the principles of recovery.

The service provision is delivered 7 days per week between the hours of 8 – 6pm, the post holder will be required to work flexibly over these hours

• ROLE DESCRIPTION

• To support the Community Rehabilitation Team and wider Complex Psychosis Pathway workforce in co-facilitating community-based groups accessed by service users across the whole service. To consult with the lead occupational therapists and/or healthy living advisors in the planning, implementation and evaluation of groups.

• To promote social inclusion for clients by facilitating and supporting access to a variety of community-based opportunities including work, social groups, education, spiritual pursuits, leisure activities to ensure holistic wellbeing.

• To participate in the delivery of care plans including attendance and contribution within the meeting and the subsequent care plan.

• To participate in Personalised Care Framework meetings as required.

• To carry out the collection, delivery, and monitoring of service user’s medication under the Trust policy guidelines. Liaising with the team to report any concerns with client’s medication and wellbeing as well as the relevant providers i.e. pharmacies.

• To promote the physical health and wellbeing for clients by facilitating and supporting access to relevant screenings and information around medication, diet, nutrition, exercise, sensible drinking and smoking cessation.

• To participate as requested, in multidisciplinary reviews and other clinical meetings to ensure effective communication and a comprehensive approach to service users’ care.

• Ensure that the recovery goals of the service user you support are integrated into the Trust’s Personalised Care Framework process and are reviewed on a regular basis, liaising closely with rehabilitation practitioners as necessary.

• To assist the rehabilitation practitioners and ward-based staff in the delivery of planned care, under their supervision.

• To raise awareness of recovery language with Trust staff by modelling positive strengths based, non-discriminatory, non-jargon, non-medicalised language in all areas of work.

• To maintain communication and links with parent organisation if not directly employed through LYPFT.

• To contribute to the maintenance of a therapeutic environment and to be proactive in developing positive links within the community that will enhance the service user experience.

• To participate in team meetings as required to ensure effective communication and running of the team/service.

• To provide support for the team as required and under the direction of the senior team members.

• To carry out tasks relating to an individual’s care package under the direction of senior team members such as rehabilitation practitioners.

  To work on a 1:1 or in groups with service users facilitating delegated tasks.

• To independently manage delegated tasks and seek support and supervision when complex situations arise.
• To maintain standards set by senior clinicians.

GENERAL

• To make effective use of all available resources under the guidance of the Service Lead and Matron.

• To always promote a positive image of the Trust, Touchstone and its partners.

• To follow policies and procedures relating to the management of Service User finances.

• To contribute to the maintenance of the physical resources and environment within the trust through effective resource management and reporting through defined channels.

• To be involved in the process of personal development and supervision.

• To participate in regular individual and peer supervision.

• To provide information and advice about Touchstone’s services to managers, teams, and other people/agencies with an interest in the organisation’s work.

• To undertake out of hours work as required by the service.

• To be inducted, supervised, performance managed and appraised in line with the organisation’s performance management policies and procedures.

• To be responsible for personal learning and development where appropriate and undertake training, both mandatory and optional, to increase knowledge, skills and awareness.

• To be aware of and implement the general practices of Touchstone’s Health, Safety and Security policies and keep Managers informed about any serious and untoward incidents, safeguarding issues, health & safety concerns, financial issues, staff welfare.

• To operate within the aims, policies and practices of Touchstone at all times and to be committed to and promote the organisation’s equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory policies.

• To ensure information is dealt with in accordance with Touchstone’s policies around Confidentiality, Communications, Internet, Email and Telecommunications and steps are taken to ensure that confidential information is secure e.g. service user data.

• To undertake any other duties as directed by the Manager, in line with the responsibilities of this post.

SKILLS

· To have good verbal communication skills and an excellent understanding of how to build rapport with service users, carers and others as required.

· To work effectively in a multidisciplinary team, and to have a good understanding of individual’s roles within the team

· Ability to work on a one-to-one basis with clients in their own homes and / or community settings without constant, direct live supervision.

· Ability to respond well in a crisis situation and understands the need to record/report such situations accurately to senior staff within the team.

· To be service user focused/client centred in your approach.

· To be organized and adaptable, creative, and resourceful in a range of areas.

· To manage your own time effectively.

· To use initiative by referring appropriate issues in a timely manner to a Senior team members/clinical lead.

· To participate in decision making processes and carry out agreed plans of care.

· To independently manage delegated tasks and seek support and supervision when complex situations arise.

· IT literacy skills and the ability to work on electronic care records.

EXPERIENCE

§ Experience of working with a range of service users with complex mental health needs.

§ Has experience of working with diverse populations and values the work associated to promoting diversity and social inclusion.

§ Where personal experience allows drawing on mutual resources as peers and utilising a range of recovery tools, techniques, and experience.

§ Involvement in the process of effective risk management including assessment, planning, intervention, and on-going monitoring of risk factors.

§ To work independently with users and carers in their homes towards a collaborative package of care provided through the Personalised Care Framework and under the direction of the care coordinator or senior team members.

§ Help individuals identify their own achievable and meaningful recovery goals and collaboratively set recovery objectives in line with service care pathway and supervision of senior team members.

§ To maintain accurate records of client care in accordance with set timescales, informing senior clinicians of any changes in the client’s health or social care to deliver care which is designed to minimize risk behaviour.

KNOWLEDGE

• Will need to understand the possible barriers in building a good, effective, professional, empathic relationship with service users, and to be aware of strategies to help improve communications and relationships
• Will need to understand the importance of effective communication and liaison with other agencies and professionals.
• Will show a good level of knowledge about community resources and how to help service users access them.
• A good level of understanding of the recovery model and its application to care packages.
• Understands medication and side effects, also support people to explore options, ask questions and be better informed.
• Understands the importance of holistic and therapeutic care and the role this plays in individual’s personal recovery.
• Experience contributing to the evaluation of care plans by reporting observations and interventions accurately and regularly in case notes. Also to make clear written records in relation to any task or clinical practice that relates to individual scare e.g. liaison with family members.

ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOURS

• Commitment to Touchstone’s aims and values
• Solution-focused approach to work.
• Motivated and confident.
• Open to change and able to work flexibly in line with the needs of the service/organisation.
• Commitment to positive team leading and team working.
• Commitment to maintain confidentiality at Touchstone.
• Commitment to respecting diversity and anti-discriminatory/anti-oppressive practices.
• Commitment to personal responsibility, development, learning and reflective practice
• Willingness to be managed and supervised.
• Reliable and Resilient.
• Model personal responsibility, self-awareness, self-belief, self-advocacy, and hopefulness via appropriate and timely relating of own recovery story to inspire and instil confidence in peers.
• Act as a positive role model showing professional and caring attitudes and behaviour towards other multidisciplinary team members, service users and carers.
• Communicate in a positive manner towards individuals and other organisations who encounter the service.
• To be assertive in promoting new ideas for positive change within the team.
• To always act with courtesy towards service users, relatives and other visitors to the unit and refer them to the senior team members as appropriate.
• To actively support service users in line with their care plans and support their recovery, using approaches that promote hope and optimism.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

• Must be able to recognise discrimination in its many forms and be willing to put into practice Touchstone’s Equality Policies.
• A commitment to providing high quality services to the diverse communities.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with a broad range of diverse service users, management and staff, from both organisations and the community
• To ensure the diverse needs of our service users and those who meet our services are considered and supported.
• Work in a way that acknowledges the personal, social, cultural, and spiritual strengths and needs of the individual.
• A commitment to establishing a supportive and respectful relationship with service users.

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING

§ NVQ 3 in Care/recognisable equivalent or equivalent experience or be willing to undertake such training or experience of working with a range of service users with complex mental health needs and /or has personal lived experience.

As an employee of Touchstone you will benefit from the following:

• Working for a diverse and inclusive organisation e.g. 36% *BME staff, 25% *LGBTQ+ staff, 16% *staff with a disability. Staff and peer support networks (*as above and many more)
• 28 days annual leave (rising to 31 after 2 years) + 8 bank holidays (pro-rata)
• Flexible working opportunities
• Access to HealthHero - Employee Assistance Scheme and Virtual GP service for staff
• Personal wellbeing and training budget.
• Access to 24/7 confidential staff helpline.
• Health and wellbeing activities and fun staff team away days
• Inclusive maternity and parental policies and pay
• Additional day of leave as a celebration day or health and wellbeing
• Learning and personal development opportunities

Please see the Touchstone website for more information on how to apply.

CLOSING DATE: Wednesday 15th July 2026

Interviews will be held on: Tuesday 4th August 2026