Meeting the needs of individuals who have experienced significant and enduring mental health problems.

Research shows that 25% of individuals experience a severe mental health problem at some point in their life. Such problems may affect any of us. Mental health problems now represent the largest single cause of absence from work and leaving work. People who then acquire benefits tend to remain on them for a long time if they do not secure early, quality, employment support.

Stress management is now being taken much more seriously in all sections of society. For those out of work, self-help strategies are important in managing stress; as is developing realistic expectations about work options and awareness raising with
employers – de-mystifying both work and mental illness.

The national service framework is a three year strategy produced by the Department of Health which is implemented within each Borough. In Bolton, this is through collaboration of Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health Trust and Bolton Council. Bolton’s plan is updated each year and explains how local services will help people with mental health needs.

The NSF standards relevant to employment are out-worked through Bolton’s Employment LIT (local implementation team). This includes the PCT Commissioner, the Social Inclusion Coordinator, BAND, BEST, STEPS, Connexions, Psychology Services and a Service User
Representative.

BEST is pleased about proposed changes in Day Services provision in Mental Health services in Bolton. We believe that placing employment within the Social Inclusion Agenda and within a recovery model framework will allow re-aligned services to promote employment as a pivotal recovery tool.

Bolton Employment Support Team is committed to :

• Treating everyone as an individual.
• Respecting the individuality, dignity and privacy of every bbbbbb
bService User.
• Promoting the independence of Service Users and bbbb bbbb
oof their life choices.
• Full inclusion and participation of it’s service users within bbb bb
bthe community.
• Respecting diversity and different cultures and values
• Respecting confidentiality.
• Positive mental health and the well-being of all staff and bbb bb
busers of its service.
• Clear and straightforward communication.
• Keeping service users well informed regarding work in bbb bb
bprogress.
• Offering a personalised service whilst maintaining bbb bb bbb
bprofessional boundaries.
• Staff demonstrating integrity in their working practice.
• The safety of all persons connected with its service.
• Encouraging and responding positively to feedback about bb bb
bits service, both positive and negative.
• Using the power that comes from its work with Service bbb bb
bUsers.
• Effective Risk Management in all transactions.
• Supporting the development of all staff and service users bbb bb
bto enhance their quality of life.

Our Vision is: Improved lives and optimistic futures for people affected by mental health.

In order to achieve our vision and outcomes every service user can expect:-
• To feel safe
• Interactions with our service to be therapeutic
• To be listened to, offered choices, and offered useful
i information
• To have their experience of dealing with their condition bbbbbbn f acknowledged.
• To contribute as far as comfortable, to the planning and bbbb
hdevelopment of their own care.
• Encouragement to contribute to the progression of the service.