At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in their recovery journey and build trusting relationships.
- Company: Join a compassionate team at Look Ahead, dedicated to mental health support.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 30 days annual leave, generous pension, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for training and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in relevant fields; strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 31993 - 31993 £ per year.
We're looking for a compassionate and resilient Specialist Support Worker to join our Mental Health Service located in Southwark. No personal care or experience required, just the right values.
£31,993.56 per annum, working 40 hours per week.
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.
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.
What you'll do:
- Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
- Carrying out holistic assessments of new customers which incorporate relevant statutory referral information
- Conducting regular key work sessions that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
About you:
- Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
- Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
- Prefers working as part of a group or team
- Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
What you'll bring:
- Essential: NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in a relevant area (e.g. substance misuse, addiction, psychology, Health and Social Care).
- Experience building and developing strong professional partnerships with external providers.
- Good written and oral communication skills
- Desirable: Knowledgeable in 'Recovery' with an excellent understanding of addiction.
- Capable of completing comprehensive assessments, managing a high caseload of complex cases, creating care plans and risk assessments.
About us:
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.
Specialist Support Worker - Southwark employer: Look Ahead Care Support and Housing
Look Ahead is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Kent. With a strong focus on employee development through award-winning training programmes and generous benefits like increasing annual leave and exclusive discounts, we empower our team to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the community. Join us in transforming lives and be part of a compassionate team that values excellence and innovation.
Contact Details:
Look Ahead Care Support and Housing Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Support Worker - Southwark
✨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 Support and Housing.
✨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 Support and Housing!
✨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 Support and Housing, 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 Support and Housing 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 - Southwark
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 Support and Housing:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Look Ahead Care Support and Housing! 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 Support and Housing
✨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.
