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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

East London NHS Foundation Trust logo

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)

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Capital Nurse, LondonCommitted to being an Inclusive EmployerApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveHSJ Best places to workArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.

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
Susan Sturdy
Job title
Operational Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07769 557 072
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