At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with mental health needs, helping them build independence and achieve recovery goals.
- Company: Look Ahead, a leading not-for-profit care provider in London.
- Benefits: Generous salary, up to 30 days annual leave, pension contributions, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to excellence and innovation in social care.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in mental health support and NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent required.
We're looking for a passionate, compassionate and resilient Specialist Support Worker to join our Mental Health Social Care Service in Tower Hamlets. £31,593.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.
Want to feel like you have an exciting future? 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
- A generous pension - we will contribute up to 8% and life assurance cover up to 3x Pensionable Salary (T&Cs apply)
- 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
- Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
- Free DBS
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.
Tabard Court is a mental health supported accommodation for individuals with significant offending histories and complex mental health needs.
What you'll do:
- Keyworking, Support Planning & Recovery
- Hold a keyworking caseload (typically 4-6 customers), meeting each customer regularly for structured keywork sessions focused on mental health, risk, daily living skills and recovery goals.
- Complete and regularly review support plans, risk management plans and crisis plans with customers and the wider team, ensuring they are meaningful, co-produced and linked to clear, achievable outcomes.
- Risk Management & Safeguarding
- Undertake initial and ongoing assessments of risk and need, including dynamic risk indicators (e.g. changes in behaviour, non-engagement, relapse indicators), and escalate concerns promptly.
- Day-to-day Support & Service delivery
- Provide practical support with daily living skills (e.g. budgeting, shopping, appointments, self-care, routines) to enable customers to build independence and sustain their accommodation.
This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead.
About you:
Experience & Knowledge
- NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent
- Experience of working with people with significant mental health needs, ideally in forensic or criminal justice settings (secure services, probation, prison, step-down or similar).
- Understanding of recovery-oriented practice and trauma-informed approaches in mental health.
- Awareness of risk assessment and risk management processes in forensic mental health (e.g. working with index offences, relapse indicators, safeguarding, conditions of discharge or licence).
- Experience of keyworking or case management, including multi-agency liaison and report writing.
- Comfortable working in a structured environment with policies, procedures and clear documentation standards, while remaining flexible and responsive to individual need.
About us:
Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us. We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:
- We focus on Excellence and innovation.
- We are Caring and Compassionate.
- We are Inclusive and Trusted.
- We work in Partnership and are One-Team.
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 full Job description.
Specialist Support Worker employer: Look Ahead Care and Support
Look Ahead is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Tower Hamlets. With a strong focus on employee development through award-winning training programmes and generous benefits, including up to 30 days of annual leave and a robust pension scheme, we empower our staff to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. Join us in transforming lives and enjoy a fulfilling career where your contributions are recognised and valued.
Contact Details:
Look Ahead Care and Support Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Support Worker
✨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 Look Ahead Care and Support.
✨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 Look Ahead Care and Support!
✨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 Look Ahead Care and Support, 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 Look Ahead Care and Support 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 Specialist Support Worker
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 Look Ahead Care and Support:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Look Ahead Care and Support! 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 Look Ahead Care and Support
✨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.
