Vacancy details

We helped Nadim get some stability. By giving our people opportunity.

We’re always looking for better ways of doing things. How can we make the most of our resources?  Get vulnerable people back on their feet more quickly? Create new spaces our residents want to spend time in? These are just some of the things you could be looking at when you join us. You’re going to have a big impact on what we do, so you’ll be trusted to take ownership of your work. You’ll have time to immerse yourself in the community. To deliver better today. And to create a better tomorrow.

Because we’re Bracknell Forest.

What it’s like working in our team…

Rooted in the mental health recovery principles and using co-production, the Community Network is based around a network of resources in the community. Tailored mental health educational courses and peer support to support people to remain socially connected, better understand their mental health, and develop their confidence, their life skills, and their resilience so they can live as independently as possible with a reduced likelihood of needing secondary mental health support and bed-based provision in future. A large part of the Network’s approach is working over a period of sessions to support individuals with anxiety management through risk assessing, guided conversations, graded exposure and motivational techniques.

The Network brings together and consists of resources from the voluntary and community sector, peer mentors and groups, mainstream services, and health and social care. Staff will support people to attend the right resources when they are having a difficult time or encounter challenges they need help with, and will help people to identify and build their own support network from family, friends, people in their communities, and groups or organisations.

The aim of this approach is to move away from a crisis-focussed system and to focus on early intervention and increasing people’s resilience to aid recovery and prevent and reduce the need for secondary mental health care and bed based provision.

You will be supported to carry out the following duties, responsibilities and training…

• Researching national best practice to inform local development
• Development of the new model of support, and participation in the selection of appropriate provider and partner organisations, in order to develop a network of living well resources in response to identified need
• To work alongside relevant staff to review resources, implement recommendations, and be the local link person for developments arising from their work
• Use agreed organisational change processes within the relevant organisations.
• Delivery and/or commissioning of specialist training and the development of staff, in a multi-agency context

The benefits you will experience are…

• Regular opportunities for development with internal and external training courses.
• An inclusive and social working environment.
• Flexible working opportunities including a flexi-time scheme.
• A great office location next to travel links and the regenerated town centre.
• Internal sports and social club opportunities.
• Discounted leisure centre and gym membership.
• Supermarket discount.
• An interest free loan for a rail season ticket.

What we’re looking for…

As the Development Manager (Mental Health), you will work in partnership with Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust (the Trust), to oversee the development, implementation and on-going operation of the new asset-based approach to secondary mental health recovery and prevention in Bracknell Forest namely the Bracknell Forest Community Network. This includes line-managing multiple members of staff and setting-up IPS, Peer Mentoring and Safe Haven type schemes in Bracknell Forest. 

Interview date

Interviews will be held on date to be confirmed.

Want to ask us a question?

For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role.  Please contact:

Name: Debra Marsden

Job Title: Locality Manager

Phone Number: 01344823333

As part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to redeployment, please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any stage of the recruitment process if a suitable redeployee is identified.

Equal Opportunities

Bracknell Forest Council – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

How to apply

Please apply online (see below).

It is important that you read the Application Pack before you apply for this job. It contains information that you will need to refer to when applying. Not referring to this information is likely to reduce your chances of success.

Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk and expects all staff to share this commitment. All staff employed by the Council in contact with children and adults at risk must be aware that a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken. We take up references for all shortlisted candidates and, wherever possible, apply for these prior to interview.

Find out more about our Children's Social Care Department.

Find out more about our Adult Social Care, Health and Housing Department.

See what our staff say about working for Bracknell Forest Council.