Support Worker - Mental Health

P+S Care and Support Services; Epping Forest; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts platform

Wellbeing support & online GP

Death in service

Pension scheme

Annual leave 22–25 days

Sick pay after 12 months

Training & development

Job summary

P&S Care & Support is recruiting a Flexible Support Worker to assist adults with enduring mental health needs in West Essex, helping them recover, gain independence and wellbeing. The role focuses on moving people from hospital to home, supporting recovery and practical life skills over up to 24 months.

You will work at homes and in the community across Harlow and Waltham Abbey, with a rotating 37.5-hour week, including some weekend shifts.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting adults with enduring mental health needs or in similar recovery-focused roles.
• Ability to build positive professional relationships and communicate effectively.
• Flexibility to work across locations and weekends as part of a rolling rota.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical, social and emotional support in homes and the community to help individuals live more independently.
• Assist with tenancy upkeep, housing issues, benefits access and engagement with community services.
• Collaborate with mental health professionals, housing providers and external agencies to ensure appropriate support.
• Monitor progress against support plans, contribute to risk assessments and maintain accurate records.
• Support individuals with complex needs, including dual diagnosis, and help access relevant services.
• Encourage development of life skills and community involvement over a recovery period up to 24 months.

Job description

Location: West Essex – Harlow and Waltham Abbey

Salary: £26,298.11 per annum

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Contract: Permanent, full-time

About the Role

P&S Care & Support is recruiting a Flexible Support Worker on behalf of a client providing mental health support services across West Essex.

This is an opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives by supporting adults with enduring mental health needs as they work towards recovery, greater independence and improved wellbeing.

You will support individuals transitioning from hospital back into their homes and communities, helping them rebuild confidence, develop practical life skills and achieve their personal goals.

The service focuses on recovery-oriented support, encouraging individuals to become more independent and resilient while reducing their reliance on hospital admissions and other medical interventions where possible.

You will work with individuals over a recovery period of up to 24 months, providing tailored support to help them make positive and sustainable changes to their lives.

Key Responsibilities

You will provide practical, social and emotional support to individuals in their homes and within the community, helping them develop the skills and confidence needed to live more independently.

Responsibilities will include supporting individuals to maintain their tenancies, manage housing-related issues, access welfare benefits and engage with relevant community services.

You will work collaboratively with mental health professionals, housing providers and other external agencies to ensure individuals receive appropriate support.

You will also help individuals identify and work towards their recovery goals, monitor progress against support plans, contribute to risk assessments and maintain accurate records.

The role may involve supporting people with complex needs, including dual diagnosis, and helping them access appropriate mental health and substance misuse services.

You will encourage individuals to develop practical and social skills, access education or employment opportunities where appropriate, and become more involved in their communities.

Successful candidates will be required to work across two services in West Essex, covering Harlow and Waltham Abbey. Flexibility to travel between service locations is therefore essential.

Working Pattern

This is a permanent, full-time position working 37.5 hours per week on a seven-day rolling rota.

The role operates on a three-week rolling shift pattern, consisting of early shifts from 8:00am to 4:00pm and late shifts from 1:30pm to 9:30pm.

You will be required to work two weekends every three weeks.

Although these are the standard shift patterns, some flexibility may be required to meet the needs of the service.

About You

We are looking for a compassionate, motivated and resilient individual who is passionate about supporting people with mental health needs to achieve greater independence.

You should have experience working with adults with enduring mental health needs or within a similar support environment, together with an understanding of recovery-focused support.

You will need strong communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to build positive professional relationships and a sensitive, non-judgemental approach.

An understanding of housing management, complex needs and dual diagnosis would be beneficial.

You should be confident working independently, managing your workload and maintaining professional boundaries. The ability to recognise when someone may be experiencing difficulties and require additional support is also important.

A flexible approach to working hours and locations is essential, alongside a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.

Benefits

The position offers a range of benefits, including:

• Access to an employee benefits platform offering discounts, wellbeing support and online GP services.
• Death-in-service benefit of twice your annual salary.
• Workplace pension scheme, with automatic enrolment after three months.
• 22 days' annual leave plus statutory bank holidays, increasing to 25 days after three years of continuous service.
• Company sick pay after 12 months of continuous service.
• Mandatory training and opportunities for professional development.

Please note: The employer is unable to offer visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship.

An enhanced DBS check, right-to-work checks and employment checks will be required.