At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people with mental health needs, promoting independence and life skills.
- Company: Care in Mind, a supportive and inclusive employer focused on youth mental health.
- Benefits: Birthday off, enhanced sick pay, healthcare cash plan, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with ongoing support and mentoring from experienced staff.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your career in mental health.
- Qualifications: Full UK manual driving licence and good communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 26227 - 27378 £ per year.
Must be a driver, with a current full UK licence, manual licence only, cannot accept provisional nor automatic. Must be willing to drive service car unsupervised.
Full time 37.5 hours per week
Main duties of the job
- Flexibility - Your role will involve working shifts including weekends and Bank Holidays
- Full UK Manual Driving Licence - Not Automatic
- Must be able to attend training throughout employment which will be held on weekdays
- Good written skills and the ability to write basic reports and record information accurately
- Basic IT skills (Your role will involve some computer work, completing forms, using an online care system, and writing emails)
- Good verbal communication skills and the ability to listen to others
- An understanding of the issues around confidentiality
- An understanding of safeguarding
- A professional working boundary between staff and service users
- Ability to remain calm in emergencies, supporting others during difficult situations
Desirable Criteria of a Healthcare Support Worker
- NVQ Level 2 qualification or equivalent in Care
- Previous experience of working with young people who have mental health needs
About us
Care in Mind provide residential services for young people aged 16-30 years old. The young people we care for often require a high level of support to assist with difficulties they may have from self-harming, behaviour, and emotional difficulties. Our aim is to support the young people using a therapeutic approach to help them achieve their individual goals, in preparation for transition to adult life.
Company Benefits
- An additional day off each year for your birthday
- Enhanced company sick pay
- Enhanced company pension
- Enhanced maternity/paternity leave
- Paid time off for fertility treatment
- Life Assurance (2 x annual salary)
- Electric Car salary sacrifice scheme
- Healthcare CashPlan with costs provided towards dental and optical care and a range of other healthcare treatments and benefits
- Employee Assistance Programme/24-hour Counselling Service
- Free eye tests and various other benefits
- Excellent Learning and Development opportunities (Level 3 in Adult Health & Social Care and support with completion of the Care Certificate)
- Paid Training, Induction and DBS check
- We are a Mindful & Disability Confident Employer
- We are a supporter of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
- We are a Menopause Friendly Organisation
- Long service awards
- Social events including a Christmas party
- Blue Light Card to access further shopping discounts
- Refer a Friend Scheme (Up to £500 per referral)
- Free onsite parking
Job responsibilities
At Care in Mind our homes are always a hub of activity and energy where the young people can feel safe, and our staff enjoy coming to work. Your role will involve working with our young people to promote independence through support with education, household tasks and general life skills. You will also update online care records and complete medication administration. In addition, you will be responsible for the general upkeep and tidiness of the home ensuring the young people live in a homely environment.
At our home in Preston you will be working with young people who have a variety of mental health diagnoses including personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, those who have difficult relationships with food, and those who use self-harm as a strategy to cope with their emotions. This role requires patience, resilience, and compassion as you support our young people to navigate various challenges and develop new skills.
When asked what qualities are the most important to them in a staff team, our young people have said they would like caring, honest, understanding, fun, and kind people to come and work with them. They love to learn new things and have a variety of hobbies and interests that they like to share with the team. They’re also an adventurous bunch who engage in a variety of activities such as going to the zoo, museums, outdoor sports, theme parks, and escape rooms to name a few. Our young people are working towards moving on positively from the home into the community and are developing skills that support their independence and autonomy.
As a Support Worker you will be helping them with things such as; getting back into education, building their social networks, using public transport, volunteering or looking at work opportunities, administering their own medication, learning how to cook, budget, and manage appointments independently. Every day at Willowhurst is different and brings exciting and engaging challenges, as well as positive and rewarding outcomes.
Florida House is a newly renovated 6-bed service located in Ashton-on-Ribble, the house is large and modern with spacious bedrooms and communal areas which includes a kitchen/dining area, two lounge areas, two bathrooms and one shower room. The house also has a fairly sized garden which is perfect for summer BBQs and outdoor games. It is a short drive or bus journey away from Preston Town Centre, there are also various local amenities such as Preston Railway Station; Preston Docklands including a cinema, shopping, food and beverage outlets; as well as local parks. The home is well cared for and staff and young people work together to make it homely and welcoming.
Previous care experience is not essential and full training will be provided. You will receive ongoing support and mentoring from our friendly residential and clinical team. The job is highly rewarding and a great start to developing your career working with young people or enhancing your previous experience of mental health with the opportunity for excellent career development.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Do you have any formal qualifications in care?
Experience
- Do you have an understanding or experience of the issues young people face?
- Previous experience of working in a team
Skills & Abilities
- Do you have good written communication skills and the ability to write basic reports and record information accurately?
- Do you have IT skills and the ability to write emails and use Microsoft Office?
- Do you have a full UK Manual Licence - Not automatic nor provisional, must be willing to drive unsupervised?
Other
- Able to work shifts (including weekends, bank holidays where required to complete any necessary training)
- Do you have good verbal communication skills and the ability to listen to others?
- Will you be happy to drive the service car unsupervised?
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
£26,227.50 to £27,378 a year Per Annum Dependant on Experience
Mental Health Support Worker, Driver - Preston employer: Care in Mind
Care in Mind is an exceptional employer located in Moortown, Leeds, offering a supportive and nurturing work environment for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people facing mental health challenges. With a strong emphasis on employee growth through comprehensive training and development opportunities, we foster a culture of collaboration and respect, ensuring that our staff feel valued and empowered in their roles. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that prioritises meaningful work and the well-being of both employees and the young individuals we support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mental Health Support Worker, Driver - Preston
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Care in Mind.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Care in Mind!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Care in Mind, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Care in Mind or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Mental Health Support Worker, Driver - Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Care in Mind:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Care in Mind! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Care in Mind
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
