Job summary
- Main area
- Community Mental Health - Early Intervention in Psychosis Specialism
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- 12 months (Fixed Term)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm)
- Job ref
- 363-CH7180871
- Employer
- East London NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Vivienne Cohen House
- Town
- London
- Salary
- £31,944 - £34,937 per annum Inc HCA
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 20/06/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Mental Health Support Worker
NHS AfC: Band 4
ELFT has long been recognised as a centre of excellence for mental and health care, innovation and improvement. So it is a very exciting time for you to come and work for us. Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving 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.
Job overview
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.
Working for our organisation
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.
Detailed job description and main 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 criteria
- NVQ in Care Level II or III, or equivalent experience
Desirable criteria
- Minimum 5 GCSEs at grade A-C, including Maths and English
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of working with adults with mental health problems
Desirable criteria
- 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 criteria
- 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 criteria
- Ability to co-facilitate groups
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- 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 criteria
- Basic knowledge of the Care Act (2014)
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Susan Sturdy
- Job title
- Operational Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07769 557 072
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