Support Worker inNewton Abbot inNewton Abbot PUBLISHED 10 DEC 2023

Band 3: £22,816 to £24,336 a year PERMANENT

Devon Partnership NHS Trust rQSZNtRl

What might it look like to work here?
Stand by, we'll show you...

Monitor mental health through observations and report changes to qualified staff so that the care plan can be kept fully up to date.

To communicate effectively with people using services taking into account any communication difficulties they may have and responding appropriately.
To participate in, support and maintain positive interventions and planned activity programmes to improve the quality of life and mental state of the person using services.
To offer emotional support, advice, information and education where appropriate to people using services, carers and their family including signposting them to other services.
To foster and maintain good working relations with members of other community teams, health and social care workers and inpatient services. Receiving and sharing information from GPs, carers and other agencies.
Giving information and assistance to people using services and their carers so that they are aware of their rights, entitlements and the contents of their recovery care plan.
To communicate any changes in the persons presentation to the care co-ordinator or appropriate professional in a timely manner.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

The post holder will be aware of and work within their own limits, and competencies.
Take part in the constant assessment of risk and management of risk in conjunction with the qualified staff.
Take part and be aware of Health and Safety matters as appropriate.
Be punctual for work and conduct themselves in a professional manner in accordance with Trust Policies.
Use community resources appropriate to the needs of people using services.

Planning and Organisational Skills

To work with manager to plan their diary to ensure all allocated tasks are completed.
To maintain timely accurate records of all activity.
To liaise appropriately with other Agencies as part of supporting the delivery of care.
To attend team business meetings and any other formal/informal communication events linked to the work of the team, as directed by the team leader.

Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy

To independently or jointly monitor a persons mental health to ensure safety. . This may require intensive input and /or regular monitoring as directed by the mental health practitioners within the team and in accordance with the recovery care plan.
Monitor mental health through observations and report changes to qualified staff so that the care plan can be kept fully up to date. Be aware of fluctuations in mental health.
Monitor basic health e.g. diet, hygiene and sleep and assist in addressing identified needs.
Work with people using services and their carers to achieve the objectives of the care plan.
Encourage social/physical activities as identified within the care plan.
Promote independence and recovery
Be able to recognise signs of abuse and know procedures they need to follow to escalate their concerns.
To participate in, support and maintain positive interventions and planned activity programmes to improve the persons quality of life. To record contacts, interventions and observations on the electronic care record and seek appropriate professional validation.
To keep up to date with clinical knowledge pertaining to the role, relevant to the sphere of mental health and in accordance with practice developments

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation

To comply with all DPT policies, protocols, procedures relevant to the role.
Report any observed incidence of unprofessional behaviour, accidents/incidents, untoward occurrences or faulty equipment.
To participate professionally in service development and proposed service changes.
To take part in any audit processes as required.
Comply with universal Infection Control precautions and procedures.
To complete all core training requirements and other appropriate training courses pertinent to the role, as agreed by the team leader.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources

Assist in maintaining safety and security of the environment.
Helping to maintain cleanliness and tidiness of the environment (including equipment).
To have knowledge and understanding of counter fraud.
The post holder will have no direct responsibility for finance, but they will need to adhere to relevant Trust policies on financial issues.
To use Trust NHS resources in a sustainable way.

Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management

To work (with daily supervision from an identified mental health practitioner) on their own with people in their own homes and other settings in the community or as part of another role.
To actively participate in regular supervision from a mental health practitioner and an annual appraisal in accordance with Trust policy
To participate in and support students learning along with other members of the team

Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties

Maintain up to date electronic records in a timely and accurate manner.
To regularly access email and other information through the Trusts intranet.
Maintain confidentiality of information being aware of Trust policies and local protocols and keeping up-to-date with changes.
Work in accordance with lone working policy.

Responsibility for Research and Development

To attend appropriate training courses pertinent to the role, as agreed by the team leader.

Freedom to Act

Works within the standard operational procedures of the team. Uses own initiative in delivering patient care whilst receiving supervision from the team.

Any Other Specific Tasks Required

No other specific tasks currently required within the job description for this post.

We are please to be able to offer a post as a Community Support Worker (Band 3) with the Teignbridge OPMH team.

Teignbridge OPMH is a well established mental health team that works to a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency model. The post of Community Support worker will work with people in the community in conjunction with other mental health practitioners.

Under the daily supervision of mental health practitioners, the post holder will work as part of the multi-disciplinary team to support the delivery of recovery care plans for clients with a range of mental health presentations in the community and facilitating discharges from hospital. A further key role will be for the post holder to enable safe administration of ECT This will involve linking with inpatient wards and working across agencies e.g. Primary Care, Complex Care Teams and Third sector organisations.

The post holder will work intensively with people to support them in their home, preventing hospital admission and facilitating hospital discharge. They will also have part of their time planned for specific activities which may include linking with a ward to support patients to go out whilst they are an inpatient, supporting the assessment of carers as part of a Devon Memory Service assessment, and supporting the OPMH functional wards to ensure safe transfer and administration of ECT to patients whilst they are inpatients.

Whether seeing patients in the community or as part of another role, the post holder will be expected to work to a clearly defined personal recovery plan outlining the role for the post holder with that client and the range of interventions required.

To communicate effectively with people using services taking into account any communication difficulties they may have and responding appropriately.
To participate in, support and maintain positive interventions and planned activity programmes to improve the quality of life and mental state of the person using services.
To offer emotional support, advice, information and education where appropriate to people using services, carers and their family including signposting them to other services.
To foster and maintain good working relations with members of other community teams, health and social care workers and inpatient services. Receiving and sharing information from GPs, carers and other agencies.
Giving information and assistance to people using services and their carers so that they are aware of their rights, entitlements and the contents of their recovery care plan.
To communicate any changes in the persons presentation to the care co-ordinator or appropriate professional in a timely manner.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

The post holder will be aware of and work within their own limits, and competencies.
Take part in the constant assessment of risk and management of risk in conjunction with the qualified staff.
Take part and be aware of Health and Safety matters as appropriate.
Be punctual for work and conduct themselves in a professional manner in accordance with Trust Policies.
Use community resources appropriate to the needs of people using services.

Planning and Organisational Skills

To work with manager to plan their diary to ensure all allocated tasks are completed.
To maintain timely accurate records of all activity.
To liaise appropriately with other Agencies as part of supporting the delivery of care.
To attend team business meetings and any other formal/informal communication events linked to the work of the team, as directed by the team leader.

Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy

To independently or jointly monitor a persons mental health to ensure safety. . This may require intensive input and /or regular monitoring as directed by the mental health practitioners within the team and in accordance with the recovery care plan.
Monitor mental health through observations and report changes to qualified staff so that the care plan can be kept fully up to date. Be aware of fluctuations in mental health.
Monitor basic health e.g. diet, hygiene and sleep and assist in addressing identified needs.
Work with people using services and their carers to achieve the objectives of the care plan.
Encourage social/physical activities as identified within the care plan.
Promote independence and recovery
Be able to recognise signs of abuse and know procedures they need to follow to escalate their concerns.
To participate in, support and maintain positive interventions and planned activity programmes to improve the persons quality of life. To record contacts, interventions and observations on the electronic care record and seek appropriate professional validation.
To keep up to date with clinical knowledge pertaining to the role, relevant to the sphere of mental health and in accordance with practice developments

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation

To comply with all DPT policies, protocols, procedures relevant to the role.
Report any observed incidence of unprofessional behaviour, accidents/incidents, untoward occurrences or faulty equipment.
To participate professionally in service development and proposed service changes.
To take part in any audit processes as required.
Comply with universal Infection Control precautions and procedures.
To complete all core training requirements and other appropriate training courses pertinent to the role, as agreed by the team leader.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources

Assist in maintaining safety and security of the environment.
Helping to maintain cleanliness and tidiness of the environment (including equipment).
To have knowledge and understanding of counter fraud.
The post holder will have no direct responsibility for finance, but they will need to adhere to relevant Trust policies on financial issues.
To use Trust NHS resources in a sustainable way.

Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management

To work (with daily supervision from an identified mental health practitioner) on their own with people in their own homes and other settings in the community or as part of another role.
To actively participate in regular supervision from a mental health practitioner and an annual appraisal in accordance with Trust policy
To participate in and support students learning along with other members of the team

Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties

Maintain up to date electronic records in a timely and accurate manner.
To regularly access email and other information through the Trusts intranet.
Maintain confidentiality of information being aware of Trust policies and local protocols and keeping up-to-date with changes.
Work in accordance with lone working policy.

Responsibility for Research and Development

To attend appropriate training courses pertinent to the role, as agreed by the team leader.

Freedom to Act

Works within the standard operational procedures of the team. Uses own initiative in delivering patient care whilst receiving supervision from the team.

Any Other Specific Tasks Required

No other specific tasks currently required within the job description for this post.

We are please to be able to offer a post as a Community Support Worker (Band 3) with the Teignbridge OPMH team.

More information related to this job opportunity, from jobsincare:

Possible interview questions for this job Click to view Start practice interview NEW!

Please wait...this will take a moment...

Useful skills for a Support Worker: Click to view

To work as a Support Worker in the UK, you'll need a combination of personal qualities and specific skills. Here are some key skills and attributes that are typically important for this role:

1. Communication Skills: Ability to listen actively and communicate clearly with clients, their families, and other professionals.

2. Empathy and Compassion: Understanding the emotional needs of clients and demonstrating compassion and care is crucial.

3. Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to assess situations and come up with practical solutions to meet the needs of clients.

4. Patience and Resilience: Working with clients who may have challenging behaviors or emotional needs requires a lot of patience and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

5. Interpersonal Skills: Building rapport and maintaining professional relationships with clients and colleagues.

6. Organizational Skills: Manage your time effectively and keep track of multiple responsibilities and tasks.

7. Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with other professionals such as social workers, health care providers, and therapists.

8. Flexibility and Adaptability: Clients' needs can change rapidly, so it’s important to adapt to new situations.

9. Knowledge of Safeguarding: Understanding policies and practices around safeguarding vulnerable individuals is essential for ensuring their safety.

10. Cultural Awareness: Being sensitive to the diverse backgrounds and needs of clients and providing appropriate support.

11. Basic IT Skills: Familiarity with using computers and electronic health records, as well as communication tools.

12. First Aid and Health Care Knowledge: While not always required, having basic first aid skills can be beneficial, and understanding health conditions related to your client group is important.

While formal qualifications are not always necessary, having relevant training or a vocational qualification in health and social care can be advantageous. Additionally, specific roles may require knowledge or experience in particular areas, such as mental health, learning disabilities, or physical disabilities.

It's also essential to undergo a background check (DBS check) as working with vulnerable individuals often requires safeguarding compliance.

More about Newton Abbot Click to view

Working in Newton Abbot