Mental Health Support Worker

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

East London NHS Foundation Trust seeks a Support Worker to assist clients recovering from first episode psychosis. The role involves practical support, effective communication, and working closely with various stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have relevant care qualifications and experience in mental health settings.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with adults with mental health problems.
• Experience of working in a community setting desirable.
• Ability to co-facilitate groups.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside qualified staff in the delivery of care plans.
• Provide practical support with housing and welfare benefits.
• Maintain clear, concise and timely recording and communication.

Skills

Fluent in both written and oral English

Ability to provide practical support

Ability to maintain clear communication

Responsible and flexible attitude

Education

NVQ in Care Level II or III or equivalent experience

Minimum 5 GCSEs at grade A-C, including Maths and English

Tools

Relevant computer programmes

Job description

Job summary

EQUIP provides an assertive and responsive service to adults for up to 3 years during their recovery from a first episode of psychosis. The service covers the City of London and London Borough of Hackney. Emphasis is placed on maximising wellbeing and on social, psychological, physical and educational/vocational recovery. The team works to standards set for early intervention in psychosis teams and participates in the annual National Clinical Audit on Psychosis. The service also includes a subsidiary early detection team, HEADS UP, which provides support to those who are at risk of developing psychosis and actively connects with local community groups in order to improve detection rates of this group.

Main duties of the job

The role of the support worker in the team is to work alongside qualified staff in the delivery of care plans agreed with clients. This includes providing practical support in relation to housing, tenancy maintenance, welfare benefits and engagement in community activities, along with working with the client network where this is agreed. It may involve supporting clients to attend key appointments in order to maintain their wellbeing. It may also involve assisting in groups and supporting quality initiatives. Clear, concise and timely recording and communication with colleagues is an essential part of the role.

About us

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Details Date posted

06 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£31,944 to £34,937 a year per annum Inc HCA

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

363-CH7180871

Job locations

Vivienne Cohen House

230 Homerton High Street

London

E9 6AT

Job description Job responsibilities

To form effective working relationships with:

• Clients, their networks and carers
• Manager, supervisor and other colleagues within EQUIP
• Partner agencies, including primary care services, local authority services and voluntary agencies
• Colleagues within the Neighbourhood Teams, Assessment and Neighbourhood Recovery Services, and other relevant community teams
• Colleagues within the Early Intervention inpatient ward and other relevant teams in the Trust

Job description Job responsibilities

To form effective working relationships with:

• Clients, their networks and carers
• Manager, supervisor and other colleagues within EQUIP
• Partner agencies, including primary care services, local authority services and voluntary agencies
• Colleagues within the Neighbourhood Teams, Assessment and Neighbourhood Recovery Services, and other relevant community teams
• Colleagues within the Early Intervention inpatient ward and other relevant teams in the Trust

Person Specification Education Essential

• NVQ in Care Level II or III, or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Minimum 5 GCSEs at grade A-C, including Maths and English

Experience Essential

• Experience of working with adults with mental health problems

Desirable

• Experience of working in a community setting
• Experience of working in an "Early Intervention in Psychosis" or "At Risk Mental State" Team
• Experience of working in an inner city borough
• Experience of working with service users' families or carers

Skills Essential

• Fluent in both written and oral English
• Ability to provide practical support and engage in manual activities with regard to household maintenance, housing, benefit entitlement, etc
• Ability to maintain clear, concise and timely oral and written communication
• Ability to use relevant computer programmes
• Responsible, flexible, reflective and caring attitude
• Openness and ability to engage in regular supervision

Desirable

• Ability to co-facilitate groups

Knowledge Essential

• Basic knowledge of the principles of Early Intervention in Psychosis and At Risk Mental State
• Demonstrate a knowledge of the principles of Recovery
• Basic knowledge of psychosis and other mental health problems and how these impact on health, wellbeing and social inclusion

Desirable

• Basic knowledge of the Care Act (2014)

Person Specification Education Essential

• NVQ in Care Level II or III, or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Minimum 5 GCSEs at grade A-C, including Maths and English

Experience Essential

• Experience of working with adults with mental health problems

Desirable

• Experience of working in a community setting
• Experience of working in an "Early Intervention in Psychosis" or "At Risk Mental State" Team
• Experience of working in an inner city borough
• Experience of working with service users' families or carers

Skills Essential

• Fluent in both written and oral English
• Ability to provide practical support and engage in manual activities with regard to household maintenance, housing, benefit entitlement, etc
• Ability to maintain clear, concise and timely oral and written communication
• Ability to use relevant computer programmes
• Responsible, flexible, reflective and caring attitude
• Openness and ability to engage in regular supervision

Desirable

• Ability to co-facilitate groups

Knowledge Essential

• Basic knowledge of the principles of Early Intervention in Psychosis and At Risk Mental State
• Demonstrate a knowledge of the principles of Recovery
• Basic knowledge of psychosis and other mental health problems and how these impact on health, wellbeing and social inclusion

Desirable

• Basic knowledge of the Care Act (2014)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details Employer name

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Vivienne Cohen House

230 Homerton High Street

London

E9 6AT

Employer's website

https://www.elft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Vivienne Cohen House

230 Homerton High Street

London

E9 6AT

Employer's website

https://www.elft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)