Mental Health Support Worker

NELFT NHS FOUNDATION TRUST; Greater London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused healthcare provider in Greater London is seeking a Mental Health Support Worker to join their team. The role involves providing care to patients in various settings, promoting recovery, and maintaining independence. Candidates should be caring and kind, with no prior experience required as full training will be provided. The ideal candidate has strong empathy and teamwork skills. This position offers opportunities for professional development and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Supportive team environment

Training and development opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Caring and kind nature with a genuine desire to help.
• No previous experience necessary, training will be provided.
• Commitment to patient-centered care.

Responsibilities

• Provide care to patients in community settings.
• Promote recovery and maintain patient independence.
• Work collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Teamwork

Job description

You will be joining a multi‑disciplinary team that is committed to the provision of high‑quality recovery focused and patient‑centred care, staff development, and collaboration. The successful applicant will work with the team to promote a culture that fosters high employee engagement and a progressive attitude to service improvement. You will also work collaboratively with others to meet the needs of patients and their families, demonstrating a passion for helping those experiencing mental health concerns.

Key Responsibilities

• Work as part of the relevant team to provide care to patients in the community setting either in their own home, clinics or inpatient units.
• Be responsible for own work and that of others within a broad framework.
• Carry out and monitor treatment programmes as directed.
• Form part of an interdependent multi‑disciplinary team helping to ensure that your input is integrated into the patients overall care & treatment plans.
• Promote the recovery of patients and maintain their independence in the community.
• Work a 24 hour, 365 day shift pattern including night shifts.

What we offer

• A supportive and welcoming team environment
• Training and development opportunities to help you grow your skills
• The chance to play a vital role in improving the health and wellbeing of our community
• The satisfaction of making a real difference to patients' lives every day

This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).

Starting with NELFT: NELFT places a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process, new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop‑in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

High Cost Area Supplement – Outer London: This post also attracts payment for a High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (minimum payment of £4,714 and a maximum payment of £5,941 per annum, pro rata for part time).

At NELFT, we are committed to building a workforce that reflects and supports the diverse communities we serve. As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen local employment and deliver high‑quality, person‑centred care, we will prioritise applications from individuals living in our local boroughs and surrounding areas.

Use of AI: Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used, then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.

We believe in bringing your authentic and best self to work, in order to deliver the best care to our patients. We are committed to supporting our employees holistically. Here is a snapshot of what is on offer at NELFT:

• A long‑standing and award‑winning approach to equality and diversity with supportive networks for ethnic minority staff, staff with disabilities or long term/chronic conditions and LGBT staff.
• A commitment to supporting colleagues to achieve a work life balance, through flexible working opportunities and our efforts to support our working parents and carers. This has resulted in us being recognised as a 'Top 10 Family Friendly Employer' from the Working Families Charity.
• Proactive health and wellbeing support, including access to our employee assistance programme, staff psychological support, individual wellbeing conversations and a network of health and wellbeing ambassadors.
• Detailed information about our wellbeing and benefits offer can be found in this link.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that's a job share, part time hours or another flexible pattern.

Supporting our Armed Forces: We recognise the valuable contribution that the Armed Forces community make to our organisation. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved Gold Award under the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme. We have supportive policies, guaranteed interview schemes for veterans, reservists and military spouses and give additional leave to our Reservists so that they can attend their annual camp.

Are you a caring, patient, and community‑minded person looking to support people through difficult times and provide excellent levels of care to your community? If so, we'd love to hear from you. Don't worry if you have no experience – we'll teach you everything you need to know. What matters most to us is that you're a caring and kind person with a genuine desire to help and support patients and their families. If that sounds like you, you already have the skills that make a great Healthcare Support Worker.

As soon as you join us, you'll have access to learning, development, and training opportunities. As you progress in your NHS career, you'll gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence you need to provide safe and compassionate patient care.

Want to find out more?

Joining #TeamNELFT means you'll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We're CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London, Essex, Kent and Medway. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas.

The Trust has award‑winning equality and diversity initiatives and staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest heavily in your development, because when you are valued and supported, we provide the best care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been featured in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years, and we have achieved a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Along with our staff networks and training opportunities, we work hard to embed a just and compassionate culture here at NELFT.

Find out more about NELFT careers and what makes our Trust a great place to work, in this video, We have an exciting opportunity within Goodmayes Hospital for aspiring individuals from the area to become a Mental Health Support Worker – this is a fantastic position with opportunities to grow and develop skills within a dynamic care setting.

We are looking for people who display and adhere to our trust values, these are:

• We are kind.
• We are respectful.
• We work together with our communities.

This position will not be supported for visa sponsorship, as it does not meet the minimum requirements. All applicants are expected to have a valid right to work document to work in the UK when applying for this position.

Due to an expected high volume of applications, this vacancy may close earlier than the proposed closing date.

Our Acute and Rehabilitation Directorate is currently delivering a large programme of transformation aimed at improving the experience of service users, carers and staff and making the directorate an excellent place to work and receive care. This includes a detailed development programme to promote career development for staff at all grades. This role presents an exciting opportunity to make a real contribution and develop your skills.