Mental Health Support Worker

Initial 3 to 6 month ongoing contract

• To support residents with enduring mental health conditions, making interventions where necessary. For example substance use / misuse, and to promote recovery and independent living by supporting access to activities of choice inside and outside the service, which enable them to be part of their wider community.

• Provide non-judgemental support to residents, and facilitate them to help themselves, signposting them to mainstream services as necessary.
• Facilitate residents to identify appropriate support in their community around healthy living, debt management, welfare benefit advice, housing advice, substance misuse issues and mental health advocacy. To signpost / introduce residents to appropriate services as required, such as Citizen’s Advice Bureau, housing floating support services, advocacy services, and H&F Circle.
• Act as a key worker to an allocated number of residents, as designated by the manager. To write care & support plans and undertake risk assessments including regarding their mental health.
• Assist residents with setting and achieving personal goals as part of individualised support plans and risk assessments, and to work alongside other existing support plans (for e.g. CPAs).
• Understand the issues faced by carers and involve carers in support plans and risk assessments. Signpost carers, in relation to the Care Act, to obtain a Carers’ Assessment as appropriate.
• Work as part of a dispersed team, including lone working, to ensure activities and resources are safe for residents and any member of the public in line with H&F health and safety policies. To report any incidents, accidents or near misses using the Council’s H&S reporting systems.

• Experience of working in a Mental Health service and / or other care settings. To have, or be working towards, the Care Certificate or similar relevant qualification in social care.
• A sound understanding of residents with mental health support needs, including knowledge of mental health conditions, a basic knowledge of relevant legislation, and national guidelines and policy.
• Experience in running group activities both building based and in the community
• Experience of providing support on a 1:1 basis and within group settings.
• A good understanding of the recovery approach and the principles of social inclusion with a clear ability to translate these principles into practice.
• DBS Enhanced (Disclosure and Barring Service)

If you are interested in this position AND meet the requirements, APPLY NOW!