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Job summary

Main area
Community Mental Health Services
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday- Friday 9am-5pm)
Job ref
346-DDA-139-25-A
Employer
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Goodall Centre
Town
Bishop Auckland
Salary
£24,937 - £26,598 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
13/10/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust logo

Community Support Worker/Trainee

NHS AfC: Band 3

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care —our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We’re committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won’t rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Job overview

The Dales treatment and intervention team are looking to recruit a highly motivated Band 3 Community Support Worker/Trainee to join our multi-disciplinary team working into our delivery of adult planned care. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join our service, supporting adults with mental health difficulties in the community. 

The Community Service for adults is an established supportive team that offers assessment and a wide variety of evidence based treatment and interventions for adult with mental health difficulties. 

We are looking to recruit a Community Support worker to form an integral part of our team, working under the supervision of the multi disciplinary team to support in delivering a high quality service to the local population, and will be joining the team at an exciting time of change and development.

You must have the Right to Work in the UK in order to be successfully appointed to this role. Please note, this role does not meet the required eligibility criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa and therefore the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this particular role.

Main duties of the job

The main elements of the clinical work will include supporting people and families using an evidence based model and care pathway, alongside developing and facilitating group work interventions. 

The successful candidate will have experience of working with adults and their families; and while experience in mental health would be an advantage, training and development opportunities will be provided in these areas for the right applicant. 

The successful candidate must hold the skills to work within a team effectively, and must also be able to work independently using their initiative. 

Working for our organisation

The Dales treatment and intervention team is a multi disciplinary team including a range of professionals from different disciplines, skills and backgrounds. The service is undergoing some exciting changes working towards providing an enhanced level of support for those struggling with their mental health.

The team is friendly, supportive and keen to train and develop at all levels. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a team, that continues to strive towards further developing the support offered to young people and families. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

It would be beneficial for the candidate to have completed the Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 2. Candidates must also have Literacy and Numeracy level 2 or equivalent and must complete the Trust Healthcare Assistant competencies within their probationary period (first 6 months in role).

If the successful candidate does not have the required qualifications they will be expected to enrol on the Healthcare Assistant Framework which will include the acquisition of the level 2 Diploma Health and Social Care, level 2 in Literacy and Numeracy or equivalent to achieve the competencies. You will have a maximum of 2 years to complete this.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

Additional contact details - Judith Hewitt Team Manager 01388 640001

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Diploma in Health and Social Care level 2 or equivalent (or must be achieved within 2 years of commencement in post)
  • Key skills in Literacy and Numeracy level 2 (or Successful completion of the Trust’s full HCA Framework, including key skills in Literacy and Numeracy level 2, within 2 years of commencement in post)
  • Care Certificate (or Care Certificate must be achieved within 12 weeks of commencement in post)
  • Successful completion of Trust’s full HCA Framework within 6-month probationary period

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Previous experience of working with people with mental health/social health needs or learning disabilities
  • (Trainee post: no essential experience required).
Desirable criteria
  • Previous experience of working with people with mental/social health needs or learning disabilities

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Person centred care
  • Awareness of legal frameworks including mental health legislation (within agreed timescale)
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (within agreed timescale)

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills
  • Time management and ability to prioritise effectively
  • Competency in record keeping (within agreed timescales)
  • Breakaway techniques (within agreed timescales)
Desirable criteria
  • Competency in venepuncture
  • Competency in ECGs

Personal Attributes

Essential criteria
  • Able to work in accordance with the staff compact and trust values and behaviours
  • Compassionate in meeting the needs of children and young people, their families and carers
  • Able to work flexibly and cooperatively as part of a team
  • Committed to continually quality and service improvement
  • Self awareness and committed to continued personal development

Other requirements

Essential criteria
  • Ability to travel independently in accordance with trust policy and service need

Employer certification / accreditation badges

We are a Living Wage EmployerVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerStep into healthArmed Forces CovenantBetter Health at Work Gold Award

Applicant requirements

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Debbie Whiston
Job title
Team Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01388 640001
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