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- Tasks: Support individuals with mental health needs and help them thrive in their community.
- Company: Look Ahead, a leading not-for-profit care provider in London.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, training opportunities, and employee support programmes.
- 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 developing your career in social care.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent required.
The predicted salary is between 37389 - 37389 £ per year.
We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Senior Support Worker to join our Mental Health Social Care Service in Croydon. £37,389 per annum, working 40 hours per week. Shift pattern including weekends and bank holidays.
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. 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.
What you'll do:
- Work proactively with the team to handle the service caseload and support an effective team approach to meeting each customer's identified needs in a recovery-focussed way
- Assessing referrals received by the service, within the 4-hour target, and providing a rapid response to these - supporting the team to identify and promote positive risk management.
- Completing/supporting housing referrals as required, supporting customers with budgeting tools and providing support to customers in accessing any benefits or addressing any issues such as benefits.
- Building a relationship with the local borough and any key agencies.
- Support planning, including ward management liaison, medication profiles and medication reviews as required, identifying the goals and steps to support customers to manage their own support and risk and ensuring these are correctly documented within Look Ahead's paperwork.
- Report and react to any observations relating to customers welfare
- Proactive development of links with local statutory and voluntary organizations to provide a range of engagement opportunities for customers in the community
- Shift lead, ensuring effective coordination of staff time so that all planned service and customer activities are attended to during the course of the shift
- Maintain records in accordance with Look Ahead's Information Management policies, procedures and guidance under the direction of the Support Worker's manager(s).
- Keep a clear desk at all times and assist with archiving and secure disposal of records when required.
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:
- Approachable 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
- Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
- Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments with an ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour
- Is highly motivated and a self-starter
- Enjoys managing and motivating others
- Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
- Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
- Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
What you'll bring:
- Essential: NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent
- Desirable: Previous experience with Look Ahead or another similar provider, in a support worker role. Other relevant professional memberships and/or specialist qualifications
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.
Senior Support Worker - Croydon, London employer: Look Ahead
Contact Detail:
Look Ahead Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Support Worker - Croydon, London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn, especially those in similar roles. They can give you the inside scoop on what it's really like to work as a Senior Support Worker at Look Ahead.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to mental health support and teamwork. We recommend role-playing with a friend to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for helping others during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles. This will resonate well with Look Ahead's values of care and compassion.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Look Ahead.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Support Worker - Croydon, London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Compassion: As a Senior Support Worker, your kindness and compassion are key. Make sure to highlight any relevant experiences where you've demonstrated these qualities in your application.
Tailor Your CV: We want to see how your skills match the role! Customise your CV to reflect the specific requirements mentioned in the job description, especially your experience in mental health and support work.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically so we can easily see your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets to us without a hitch, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Look Ahead
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Senior Support Worker inside out. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description, like assessing referrals and supporting customers with budgeting tools. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Show Your Compassion
As a Senior Support Worker, compassion is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated kindness and resilience. Think about times when you've helped someone through a tough situation or worked effectively as part of a team to support a client.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how they measure success in this role. This shows that you're not just looking for any job, but that you're keen on being part of their mission and values.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity goes a long way. Be open about your motivations for applying and what drives you in the field of social care. Let your personality shine through, as Look Ahead values individuals who are respectful, articulate, and sensitive in their communication.