Mental Health Support Worker, Preston

Main area: Mental Health Support Worker

Grade: Band 1

Contract: Permanent, Part Time - 20 hours per week

Hours: You will be required to work shift patterns which will include weekends and bank holidays.

Salary: £26,227.50 - £27,378 Per Annum (Dependent on Experience, Pro Rata for Part Time Hours)

Job overview:

Ashton on Ribble, Preston. Part Time 20 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:

• NVQ Level 2 qualification or equivalent in Care.
• Previous experience of working with young people who have mental health needs.

Working for our organisation:

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.

Detailed job description and main 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:

• Do you have any formal qualifications in care?
• Do you have an understanding or experience of the issues young people face?
• Do you have 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?

Additional Information:

Please note that training will be 6 days held at our Head Office in Stockport - reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. As a disability confident employer, we are happy to provide reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. Please note that we do not accept CVs and the application must be completed in full. Care in Mind operates a safer recruitment process and as part of this process the successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. While we value the use of AI technology to enhance our daily work, we also value the personal touch and urge applicants to write their supporting statement without the use of AI to emphasise their own unique experiences. It is also unacceptable to use AI to inflate skills and experiences on the application form. We are an equal opportunities employer who values diversity and positively encourages applications of all ages from all sections of the community. We reserve the right to close the advert early, should we appoint a suitable candidate. Please be aware that Care in Mind do not hold a sponsorship licence.