Mental Health Pathway Navigator

Job summary

Thank you for your interest in our organisations and this exciting new role. Were currently looking for a compassionate and motivated Mental Health Pathway Navigator to join our innovative team, supporting people across Middlesbrough to access the right support at the right time.

Were looking for someone who is driven to make a real difference within the local community through high-quality, person-centred support, with collaboration and improving mental health and wellbeing at the heart of everything.

The purpose of this role is to help people, particularly those experiencing moderate to severe mental health challenges, access timely and appropriate support so that they can remain well within their communities.

Please note: one employee will be employed by Arch, and one employee will be employed by Teesside Mind.

Main duties of the job

You will work as part of a small team to ensure individuals receive the care they need, precisely when & where it is required, while also addressing inequalities in both health care & the wider social factors that impact mental wellbeing, including trauma, abuse & disadvantage.

You will encourage individuals to recognise & build upon their strengths, guiding them in navigating community resources, health services, housing, welfare, & social care pathways. You will support them to articulate their needs & secure their rights.

Achieving positive outcomes will require strong partnership working with organisations such as TEWV, Adult Social Care, & the voluntary and community sector, including those supporting survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence, asylum seekers & refugees, & individuals experiencing a diverse range of mental health needs.

Where necessary, you will advocate on behalf of individuals to ensure they can access support. You will also work with people & service providers to clarify referral pathways, helping to prevent repeated assessments or unnecessary transfers between services. Your work will focus on supporting people in their recovery journeys. Recovery looks different for everyone, but at its core, it is about helping someone to lead a hopeful & fulfilling life, regardless of their experiences.

Insights gained from this role will help to broaden the range of services available to the community and improve coordination between different service providers.

About us

This new service brings together Arch Teesside, Open Door North East and Teesside Mind, working alongside NHS teams, GP practices and voluntary and community organisations to create a connected approach to mental health support.

We are proud to be part of this innovative service, helping people navigate pathways, access the right support, and feel genuinely supported. Our teams are compassionate, curious and determined, and we work together to make a positive impact within our communities.

Teesside Mind welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As Teesside Mind does not hold a sponsor licence, applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK and be able to do so without employer sponsorship.

Job responsibilities

Working with individuals

• Provide accessible information and guidance on community mental health services and pathways, supporting individuals to understand and navigate the service/community options open to them and make informed decisions; options might include mental health in secondary or primary care, voluntary and community sector, housing, benefits, employment etc.
• Advocate for individuals who are having difficulty accessing help that could be available to them
• Navigate mental health and VCS/community services (housing, benefits, safeguarding, social care) alongside individuals to ensure they get help
• Participate in huddles, MDTs, and othermeetings that support access to services
• Use trauma informed and recovery focused approaches throughout the work

Working in the community

• Act as a visible and accessible point of contact for community organisations looking for information about mental health services and/or how to access help for people who need it
• Promote mental health services within the community and address stigma
• Develop trusted relationships withorganisations and communities facing disadvantage, stigma, or exclusion, helping build confidence in mental health services
• Work on an outreach basis into TEWV community team, primary care, community hubs and VCS venues to be a warm, trusted and accessible conduit for mental health support
• Identify and address gaps in information or resources

Sharing insights and contributing to system improvements

• Gather insights from people with lived experience to inform service and system planning
• Support people with lived experience to directly engage in service/system improvement activities in a meaningful and supported way
• Identify insights and themes from practice to inform service improvement and system change

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records including case notes where appropriate and outcome data
• Contribute to service monitoring and evaluation activity

Person specification

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of community mental health services and referral pathways including access routes and requirements
• Understanding of how mental health care can be appropriately provided in the voluntary sector, working alongside statutory services where necessary
• Trauma-informed practice and recovery-oriented approaches
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and relevant legislation
• Familiarity with the challenges faced by disadvantaged, stigmatized, or excluded communities
• Awareness of the roles of TEWV, adult social care, and voluntary/community organisations in Middlesbrough

Other Personal Qualities

Essential

• Caring, compassionate and non-judgmental approach
• Commitment to empowering individuals and promoting their rights
• Motivated, resilient, adaptable, and able to work independently and as part of a team
• Proactive and solution-focused attitude
• Reflect on own practice and develop own skills

Skills & Competencies

Essential

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong advocacy, negotiation and brokerage skills
• Ability to build trusting relationships with professionals that support difficult conversations and professional challenge where necessary
• Ability to develop trust and rapport with individuals in the community and engage sensitively with people from diverse backgrounds
• Skills in gathering, analysing, and sharing insights to inform service improvement
• Effective time management and organisational skills
• IT literacy and ability to use electronic record-keeping systems

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• Degree, NVQ Level 5 or professional qualification in a relevant field (for example mental health, social care, community, health or related disciplines) or demonstrable equivalent experience
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in mental health or community practice
• Training in trauma-informed approaches or recovery-focused practice
• Training in safeguarding adults
• Significant experience working with individuals experiencing moderate or severe mental health difficulties, including safety planning
• Proven track record of partnership working with statutory, voluntary, and community sector organisations
• Experience in advocacy or navigating complex support systems (health, housing, welfare, social care)
• Working on an outreach, community basis
• Involvement in service development or improvement initiatives
• Experience in maintaining accurate records and contributing to monitoring and evaluation activities