Job Description
Betknowmore UK is looking for an armed forces veteran, or someone closely involved with the armed forces (a family member for example) who has a proven track record of delivering support and training services for vulnerable adults, such as in the mental health or addiction sectors. The Armed Forces Peer Aid Coordinator will supervise and work with a team of Peer Supporters, ensuring a safe and effective programme of work is established. Previous applicants need not apply.
The Armed Forces Peer Aid Coordinator will initially prioritise engaging with veterans and military organisations to deliver the AFGHSN training programme, along with gambling awareness activities. The purpose is to upskill key armed forces personnel and those in connected communities, enabling and enhancing their knowledge, skills and confidence to address gambling harms.
The second key responsibility is to recruit, train and support Peer Supporters to deliver safe, effective support for individuals and their networks that have been harmed by gambling. It is expected that Peer Supporters will be individuals with ‘lived experience’ of gambling harm themselves or as an ‘affected other’.
An armed forces veteran, or someone closely involved with the armed forces (a family member for example), the post holder will also have a unique insight on gambling harms, and their impact on health and wellbeing specifically within the military.
The post holder will work with the Head of Peer Support Services to support the development and maintenance of the systems and structure of the service, ensuring that governance and polices are implemented, safeguarding and safe working practices are strictly adhered to, and a clear understanding established of how the service integrates with other support and treatment networks.
The AFGHSN Peer Aid team will ensure that the support and working relationships are safe and secure, and the health and wellbeing of all participants is intact. Peer Support will be in a befriending capacity and should be provided with a considered and transparent approach. Other support activities will be developed, such as group support and weekly meet ups.
Stakeholder management is essential to the role, as is establishing and maintaining relationships within the AFGHSN, alongside confident communication skills to deliver presentations and other promotions within armed forces community, education and health centres to help grow and evolve the service.
Key responsibilities and accountabilities
Development and Delivery
• Be an ambassador for peer support and mutual aid
• Use your skills and knowledge of harmful gambling to help members of the armed forces community make positive choices based on their needs
• Champion and promote the Armed Forces Gambling Harms Support Network (AFGHSN) project both within and without the organisation, and its associated education and training programmes. This includes ‘Battling the Odds’ and the ‘Bet You Can Help’ programmes by establishing connections and relationships with relevant stakeholders and groups across the London region
• Reach out directly to the armed forces community in a number of settings (e.g., formal, and informal armed forces premises, barracks, reserve centres, military preparation colleges, youth cadet centres, regimental and veteran’s associations). In addition, engage the professionals and organisations who provide services directly or indirectly to the armed forces community
• Attend, participate and contribute to the ‘Battling the Odds’ and ‘Bet You Can Help’ practitioners forums assisting in product monitoring, evaluation, and design
• Maintain accurate records and provide statistical information required (including follow up requirements) to assist delivery and programme evaluation
• Communicate effectively, sensitively, and empathetically with service users from diverse backgrounds, ensuring practice is mindful of the diverse needs of all individuals
• Communicate effectively and maintain positive and supportive working relationships with colleagues and professionals across the delivery network
• To be flexible with regards to working patterns to meet the requirements of the service
• Be willing to travel to locations as required across the region, and participate in identified and relevant service promotion and information events
• Provide statistical data and reports as requested for quality assurance within agreed deadlines
Health and safety responsibilities
- Ensure compliance with the Quality and Clinical Governance
- Ensure that all safeguarding issues, including child protection and protection of vulnerable adults, are dealt with in accordance with organisational policies and procedures, and local and national statutory requirements
- Ensure all environments whether office, remote or electronic are safe and secure
- Ensure completion of risk assessments as required
General
- Measure, monitor, and evaluate the effectiveness of services, taking account of both quality and quantity, and produce reports as appropriate
- Quality assure all services and ensure delivery is in accordance with recognised quality standards relevant to the programme and organisation
- Ensure quality standards are maintained through continual monitoring of own performance expectations; and through stakeholder feedback, including service-users and partner agencies
- Be accountable for Personal and Professional development, by continually reviewing and assessing own performance and identifying further development needs. Participate in further learning and development, in accordance with relevant regulatory bodies
- Ensure service-user records are accurately and safely maintained and are following relevant Data Protection and GDPR legislation and controls, policy and procedures concerning the accurate collection, maintenance, retrieval, security and storage of client data