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- Tasks: Support individuals with mental health needs and help them thrive in their recovery journey.
- Company: Join Look Ahead, a leading not-for-profit care provider in London.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, training opportunities, and 24/7 support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent experience in mental health support required.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
We\’re looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Specialist Support Worker to join our Mental Health Social Care Service in Southwark. No personal care or experience is required, just the right values.
£29,927.87 per annum, working 40 hours per week.
Want to feel like you\’re making a difference? You\’ll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That\’s why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren\’t token gestures – we\’ve thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.
Our benefits include:
* Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
* Free DBS
* Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
* Fully paid induction programme and further training
* ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
* Online wellbeing resources
* A generous pension – we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
* Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff\’s commitment and contribution
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.
The successful applicant will have experience working closely with a range of services to support individuals to address and/or recover from their dependence on drugs and or alcohol. Or have expertise in supporting customers with complex mental health needs, including dual diagnosis, forensic histories, and personality disorders.
Specialist Support Workers within Look Ahead are required to have either an extra dimension of experience or a higher qualification level as determined relevant for the post. Specialist Support Workers provide information, social inclusion and vocational opportunities to support people to recover and stay well; exercise choice and control in their care and lives; and participate on an equal footing in the community. Support is also provided to develop a model of re-enablement towards self-advocacy, self-management and empowerment, incorporating the principles and practice of recovery, co-production and peer support. Working with individuals with complex needs, who may display challenging, chaotic behaviours, regularly test boundaries and have experienced multiple traumas as a result of abuse, neglect and substance misuse and addictions it is integral that the post holder is motivated to support individuals to progress. They should continually hold aspirations for individuals despite multiple setbacks, and display emotional resilience, able to process challenging incidents and remain motivated to deliver excellent support.
You will have excellent knowledge of harm reduction techniques and various treatment approaches for addiction and be confident in the use of these approaches. These should include but are not limited to medication treatment, behavioural counselling and relapse prevention. You will also provide information, social inclusion and vocational opportunities to support people to recover and stay well; exercise choice and control in their care and lives; and participate on an equal footing in the community. Provision of care and support is also provided to develop a model of re-enablement towards self-advocacy, self-management and empowerment, incorporating the principles and practice of recovery, co-production and peer support. Post holders will deliver trauma informed and asset-based support to a caseload of up to 4 complex service users with substance misuse support needs. – The caseload is subject to change depending on the service needs. Shifts are – Early 8-4pm late 2pm-10pm Monday to Friday and double or 8am-3pm/3pm-10pm Saturday and Sunday. With some mid shifts. Working days also includes bank holidays.
Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.
If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.
Please see our website for the full job description.
Specialist Support Worker employer: Look Ahead Care and Support
Contact Detail:
Look Ahead Care and Support Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Support Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the mental health sector, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to mental health support. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to get comfortable discussing your experiences and how they relate to the role of a Specialist Support Worker.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share why you're drawn to supporting individuals with mental health challenges. Your genuine enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our amazing team at Look Ahead.
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Support Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Compassion: When writing your application, let your kindness and compassion shine through. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your ability to connect with others, especially in challenging situations.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the Specialist Support Worker role. Highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the job description, showing us why you're the perfect fit for our team.
Be Clear and Organised: Keep your application clear and well-structured. Use headings and bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read. A tidy application reflects your organisational skills, which are crucial for this role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application reaches us quickly and allows you to explore more about our values and culture while you're at it!
How to prepare for a job interview at Look Ahead Care and Support
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Specialist Support Worker inside out. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and the values of the organisation. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their mission to support mental health recovery.
✨Show Your Compassion
During the interview, demonstrate your kindness and compassion. Share specific examples from your past experiences where you've made a positive impact on someone's life. This is crucial in a role that focuses on building trusting relationships with customers.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and emotional resilience. Prepare by thinking of situations where you had to manage challenging behaviours or support someone through a crisis. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask. Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how they measure success in this role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
