Community Support Worker MHSOP

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a motivated Support Worker to care for older people in the community under supervision. The role involves following care plans, promoting independence, and coordinating with nurses and social workers.

You will work mainly in the community, with driving required unless exempt. The post is full-time (30 hours per week) on a permanent contract, with an annual salary of £27,106–£28,850 pro rata. Closing date 01/10/2026.

Qualifications

• Maths and English GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent).
• Computer literate (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Knowledge of mental health and social care legislation (e.g. Mental Health Act, MCA).
• NVQ in Health and Social Care or equivalent.
• Experience of working with people with mental health conditions/dementia.

Responsibilities

• Provide care in accordance with care plans whilst promoting privacy, dignity and independence.
• Support service users and carers, maintain safety and positive social networks.
• Work with the multi-disciplinary team and other agencies to coordinate care.
• Record changes and progress accurately in service users’ notes.

Skills

Motivated

Autonomous working

Communication skills

Computer literate

Education

GCSE Maths & English

NVQ Health and Social Care

Job description

Main area Community Mental Health Service for Older People Grade Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 30 hours per week Job ref 367-SS-101463-A

Site Colne House Town Watford Salary £27,106 - £28,850 per annum, pro rata (Inclusive of 5% HCAS) Salary period Yearly Closing 01/10/2026 23:59

Values Based Screener

At Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust we are looking for people to join us who share our values and those of the NHS. Before your application can be considered please take part on our online values questionnaire, which you can find below. When you have finished you will be sent a 'completion code' by email, which will be valid for 6 months and required to submit your application form.

Whilst we welcome all applications from all suitable candidates, unfortunately, we will not be offering sponsorship for this role.

The post holder will carry out mental health care and support to older people with mental health problems in the community in accordance with a laid down programme of care as designed by the multi-disciplinary team.

The support worker provides this care under the direction of qualified nurses and social workers and encourages independence within the service user’s social network. The post holder will regularly work alone without direct supervision for part of the span of duty.

Support workers will have close working links and work in a co-ordinated
manner with the members of the multi-disciplinary team, as well as Day
Centre staff, Home Care staff and any other voluntary or statutory agencies involved with service users in their care.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking a motivated and self directed individual to join our community team working with older people.
Mental Health Services for Older People in South West Hertfordshire work with older people to assess, diagnose, treat and support mental health conditions and/or dementia. The post holder will support the qualified staff by working to care plans that aim to enhance and optimise the potential and recovery of people who are open to our service. The post holder will also support qualified staff with other tasks to ensure the smooth running of the care that we provide.
Mental Health Services for Older People has two departments - Community and Crisis Function. The post holder will primarily work with the community team, but may also be required to work across the other teams. We primarily see people in their own homes.
Car driver (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving)

Working hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Working for our organisation

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of ‘Outstanding’ from theCare Quality Commission

Our family of over 4,000 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. E verything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To appraise senior staff of service users’ progress and observations of changes in their mental health condition and ensure that these changes are documented in service users’ notes.

Assist in the implementation of care ensuring service users’ rights to privacy, dignity, choice, independence and fulfilment are adhered to at all times.

Participation in multi-professional assessments and reporting back to other care agencies.

Providing support to service user and/or carer in accordance with a care plan, (maintaining social networks, maintaining a safe environment, communication/ liaison with other service providers, reassurance and emotional support persuading service user to accept support).

Participation in multi-professional reviews and Care Programme Approach / Care Management meetings.

Report any changes in circumstances in respect of the service user’s care to the agencies who are or may need to be involved in the service user’s or carer’s support network improving the quality of life, rehabilitation and independence of service users and their carers.

To ensure that all care services provided are offered without prejudice regardless of age, creed, gender, and ethnicity within their sphere of responsibility.

To develop awareness of service user’s cultural and ethnic needs to facilitate appropriate support and care.

For full details of the main duties and responsibilities of the role please refer to the job description and person specification documents attached.

Person specification

Knowledge/Training/Experience

• Good standard of education (to include Maths and English GCSE grade c or above – or equivalent).
• Computer literate (able to use Word, Excel, Powerpoint).
• Knowledge of legislation related to mental health and social care (e.g. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, National Service Framework, National Dementia Strategy, Care Programme Approach etc)
• Ability to manage distressing and challenging situations.
• NVQ in Health and Social Care
• Experience of working with people with mental health conditions
• Experience of working with people with dementia

Communication Skills

• Excellent communication skills, verbally and in writing
• Ability to feedback and discuss cases within the multi disciplinary team.
• Excellent documentation of duties performed.
• Confidence to work autonomously in the community.

Analytical skills

• Good range of problem solving skills
• Good range of information gathering skills.
• Positive approach to older people

General

• Good team player
• Committed to high quality care and service provision for older people.
• Good time management.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the service needs.
• Car driver (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving)
• Ability to network, and form working relationships with other agencies, charities and providers.

Please note, we do not charge fees for job applications, recruitment processes, sponsorship arrangements, or employment offers. Please see the Trust careers vacancy webpage and Trac as the only authorised routes for recruitment communications, applications and verification of job offers.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if we receive a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application promptly.

Name Marsha Antoine Job title Operational Manager Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01923 837148

Additional information

Florence Mungate - Deputy Operational Manager

Stephen Gumbwa - Deputy Operational Manager