Clinical Support Assistant in Silverdale

Overview

The Newcastle & Gateshead Homeless Mental Health Team has an exciting opportunity for a Clinical Support Worker. This role involves supporting clients with various mental health issues, including psychosis, depression, anxiety and complex emotional needs, alongside homelessness. It requires the delivery of evidence‑based treatment and collaborative working across a multi‑agency team.

Genuine Occupational Requirement

Due to the nature of this role and the risks associated with our client group, this post has a Genuine Occupational Requirement to be filled by a male, in accordance with Schedule9, Part1 of the Equality Act2010.

Key Qualities and Aspirations

• Willingness to work with clients who can be hard to engage and are often socially excluded
• Confidence in offering assertive engagement aligned with a positive risk‑taking approach
• Ability to deliver high‑quality care autonomously and as part of a team in demanding environments
• Desire to work with and develop collaborative networks with a range of service providers, including Housing, Probation, Addictions, MAPPA, Local Authority and Safeguarding
• Passion to make a difference in this specialised area of mental health provision

Responsibilities

• Assist in the delivery of care to service users who have a variety of needs, diverse presentations and a range of mental health conditions, cognitive and/or learning disabilities, under the direction of a registered practitioner
• Implement and evaluate care within a prescribed framework as a member of the care team, ensuring that high‑quality, individualised care is delivered and that this promotes recovery, wellbeing and maximises independence
• Support the team in providing excellent and effective person‑centred care
• Provide compassionate care that is based on empathy, kindness, respect and dignity
• Actively engage with supervision and appraisal processes as identified in Trust policy
• Offer interventions to service users requiring mental health support
• Attend clinical appointments as a second person

Qualifications and Experience

• Senior Healthcare Support Worker or equivalent, or working towards the qualification
• Experience of working within a relevant clinical service
• GCSE A‑C in maths and English or equivalent
• Experience of working/volunteering in an appropriate care setting
• Experience of working with service users who have complex needs
• Previous experience in a community setting
• Understanding of person‑centred care
• Awareness of homelessness organisations within the locality
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• ICT functional skills
• Good and effective time‑management abilities
• Ability to work without direct supervision
• Ability to meet the mobility and geographical requirements of the post

Additional Information

The post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order)1975. A submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) will be required to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Working Environment and Development

You will work in a highly supported environment and will be provided with training opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills. You must have a strong commitment to the delivery of high‑quality, safe, patient care.

Staff across all aspects of the service are available to share their role and experiences and to discuss what our service has to offer.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future.

In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.