Support Worker

Devon Partnership NHS Trust; Honiton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Honiton is seeking a Community Support worker to help patients engage with their community and support their mental health recovery. The role involves working with a multi-disciplinary team to facilitate hospital discharges and provide effective emotional support. Ideal candidates should have experience in mental health environments and strong communication skills. The position offers a fixed term contract until December 2026.

Qualifications

• Awareness of safeguarding principles.
• Experience of working with people in a caring situation or mental health services.
• Knowledge of mental health and understanding of physical health presentations.

Responsibilities

• Communicate effectively with individuals using services.
• Support and maintain planned activity programmes.
• Provide emotional support and information to patients and families.

Skills

Good communication and listening skills

Ability to work in a team effectively

Self-motivated

Mobility throughout the area covered by the Trust

Ability to maintain confidentiality

Education

NVQ level 3, QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification

Basic Education

Job description

We have an exciting Fixed Term / Secondment opportunity for a Community Support worker post with the East Devon Older Persons Community Mental Health Team.

The Secondment / Fixed Term period will end on 7th December 2026

Under the supervision of the Community Team Manager, the post holderwill work as part of the multi-disciplinary team to support the delivery ofrecovery care plans for clients with a range of mental health presentations whoare currently an inpatient. This will involve supporting patients to go out,perhaps back home, and helping them to re-engage with their community.

The post holder will work intensively with people to support themfacilitating hospital discharge.

The post holder will be expected to work to a clearly defined personalrecovery plan outlining their role and the range of interventions required.This will include supporting patients off the ward to help facilitate theiron-going recovery.

Main duties of the job

Tocommunicate effectively with people using services taking into account anycommunication difficulties they may have and responding appropriately.

Toparticipate in, support and maintain positive interventions and plannedactivity programmes to involve the quality of life and mental state of theperson using services all of which will be focussed upon helping the individualre-engage with their community.

To offeremotional support advice, information and education where appropriate to peopleusing services, carers and their family.

To fosterand maintain good working relations with members of community teams and healthand social care workers. Receiving andsharing information both from inpatient service staff and community staff.

Givinginformation and assistance to people using services and their carers so thatthey are aware of their rights, entitlements and the contents of their recoverycare plan.

To communicate any changes in the personspresentation to inpatient colleagues and to the care co-ordinator.

About us

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Person Specification

Experience

• Awareness of safeguarding principles.
• Previous employment/experience of working with people in a caring situation or previous experience working in a different role within mental health services.
• Knowledge of mental health and a basic understanding of physical health presentation.
• Previous care experience with people who have Mental Health difficulties.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrate an ability to make and sustain professional therapeutic relationships.
• Good communication and listening skills.
• Ability to work with people in a group and individual basis.
• Able to work in a team effectively.
• Demonstrate an ability and awareness to maintain personal boundaries.
• Able to plan work, time management, completing records and recording observations etc.
• To take leadership and direction from qualified staff.
• To participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback to relevant parties.
• Mobility throughout the area covered by the Trust.
• To be self-motivated.
• Able to work changing shift patterns as required.
• To maintain confidentiality empathy, compassion and patience towards individuals with mental health illness.
• To main professionalism at all times.
• To be patient and tolerant in challenging situations.
• An Enhanced DBS Check will be required for this role.

Qualifications

• Basic Education.
• If equivalent qualification is not already obtained, to complete QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care within 12 months of commencing employment.
• To complete Care Certificate training within the first 3 months of joining unless already obtained.
• NVQ level 3, QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification.
• Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.

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.