Mental Health Support Worker in Bristol inBristol PUBLISHED MON 10 NOV 2025 Jump to job information section
Band 4: £27,485 to £30,162 a year pa inc
PERMANENT
NO SPONSORSHIP
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust rGNKMGB5
Job description
As a Mental Health Support Worker with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust based at HMP Ashfield, Bristol (BS16), you will work with people in prison who have acute mental health needs, often in crisis. You will act as care/recovery coordinator for an allocated caseload, contributing to assessment, planning, delivery and review of personalised care under the CPA framework. Day-to-day duties include one-to-one and group interventions to build coping skills, sleep and anxiety management, practical support to improve daily living and physical health, developing risk and crisis plans, and supporting carers and families. This is a full-time, permanent Band 4 role (Agenda for Change) paying £27,485–£30,162 per year. The role requires an NVQ Level 3 in a mental health setting (or equivalent), relevant health or social care experience, good communication and IT skills, willingness to work regular out-of-hours shifts including nights, and clearance via National Security Vetting and DBS checks. Please note Oxleas is currently unable to offer a certificate of sponsorship for this post and right-to-work and identity documentation (with five‑year address history) will be required.
This post will suit compassionate carers and women looking for purposeful work where practical skills, empathy and teamwork make a real difference to people preparing for resettlement. You’ll join multidisciplinary teams delivering integrated mental, physical and substance misuse care across secure settings, with opportunities to develop through supervision and local learning. The work is challenging but highly rewarding — you’ll directly promote independence, safety and wellbeing while being part of an established NHS provider renowned for prison healthcare. If this sounds like the next step in your caring career, find the full advert on jobsincare.com and click the "Apply Now" button alongside this description to begin your application.
This post will suit compassionate carers and women looking for purposeful work where practical skills, empathy and teamwork make a real difference to people preparing for resettlement. You’ll join multidisciplinary teams delivering integrated mental, physical and substance misuse care across secure settings, with opportunities to develop through supervision and local learning. The work is challenging but highly rewarding — you’ll directly promote independence, safety and wellbeing while being part of an established NHS provider renowned for prison healthcare. If this sounds like the next step in your caring career, find the full advert on jobsincare.com and click the "Apply Now" button alongside this description to begin your application.
Not sure?
If you're interested in this role but you have questions or you're not yet ready to apply, then please book a quick call with us and we'd be happy to answer any questions you have and tell you more about the role.
If you're interested in this role but you have questions or you're not yet ready to apply, then please book a quick call with us and we'd be happy to answer any questions you have and tell you more about the role.
Requirements
See the job description for full role requirements.
Benefits
Benefits are provided by the employer and will be confirmed during your application.
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More information related to this job opportunity, from jobsincare:
Useful skills for a Mental Health Support Worker:
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To work as a Mental Health Support Worker in the UK, you’ll need a combination of personal qualities, skills, and sometimes formal qualifications. Here’s a comprehensive list of the key skills and attributes required:
Essential Skills and Qualities
1. Empathy and Compassion: The ability to understand and be sensitive to the feelings and experiences of others is crucial.
2. Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills are important for interacting with clients, families, and healthcare professionals.
3. Active Listening: Being able to listen attentively and understand what clients are expressing is vital in providing support.
4. Interpersonal Skills: Building trusting relationships with clients and their families is essential for effective support.
5. Patience: Working in mental health can be challenging. Patience is needed to help clients at their own pace.
6. Resilience: The ability to cope with challenging situations and emotional strain is important in this role.
7. Problem-Solving Skills: The capacity to think critically and address issues as they arise is essential for supporting clients effectively.
8. Non-Judgmental Attitude: Maintaining an open and accepting mindset towards individuals regardless of their backgrounds or experiences is crucial.
9. Teamwork: Working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals is often necessary to provide comprehensive care.
10. Cultural Competence: Understanding and respecting cultural differences can help provide more effective and personalized care.
Additional Skills
1. Basic IT Skills: Familiarity with computers and electronic health records may be required for documentation and reporting.
2. Crisis Management: Skills in managing emergencies or crises are important in situations where clients may be at risk.
3. Knowledge of Mental Health Disorders: Understanding various mental health conditions and treatments can improve the support provided to clients.
4. Organizational Skills: The ability to manage time and keep records of interventions, appointments, and client progress is crucial.
Qualifications
While formal qualifications are not always required to become a Mental Health Support Worker, having a relevant qualification can be beneficial, such as:
- NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care
- Diploma in Mental Health Support Work
- Experience in a related field, such as social care, nursing, or psychology, may also be valuable.
Training and Certification
Many employers provide training programs for new staff, covering essential areas such as:
- Mental health awareness
- Safeguarding
- First aid and basic life support
- Health and safety procedures
Experience
Having previous experience in a care setting, even in a voluntary capacity, can be advantageous and is often looked upon favorably by employers.
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