At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide compassionate night support to adults with mental health needs.
- Company: Greengates, a vibrant residential nursing service dedicated to recovery-focused care.
- Benefits: 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and health cash plan for treatments.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and nationally recognised qualifications.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your career in mental health.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a compassionate approach are essential.
The predicted salary is between 12.6 - 15.4 £ per hour.
About Greengates
Greengates is a vibrant, 15-bedded residential nursing service for adults with enduring mental health needs. We are committed to delivering person-centred, recovery-focused care that helps each person live as independently and meaningfully as possible.
About the Role
We are looking for a compassionate and reliable Night Support Worker to join our team. Your working pattern will follow a rolling rota of three nights one week and four nights the next. The ideal candidate needs to be flexible with what days they are able to work.
Night support brings unique responsibilities. Although the service is typically quieter overnight, your presence, awareness, and responsiveness are crucial for maintaining safety, comfort, and dignity for the people we support.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Providing personal care, medication support, and emotional reassurance during night hours.
- Remaining alert and responsive to any support needs that arise if someone wakes distressed, confused, or unwell.
- Carrying out a range of night tasks that contribute to the smooth day-to-day running of the service.
- Ensuring accurate, detailed and timely documentation, including incident logs, handover notes, medication records and electronic care plan updates.
- Attending mandatory training, medication competency training (if not already completed), and quarterly team days.
- Participating in regular team meetings and short training sessions (built into your rota).
Skills & Qualities We’re Looking For
You’ll be supporting individuals with a range of complex mental health needs, which may include distress, disorientation, trauma-related presentations, or fluctuating risks. Because of this, the right person will bring:
Essential Skills
- Strong communication skills—clear, calm, and compassionate.
- Ability to work independently at night while also contributing well to the team.
- Confidence in following care plans and responding safely to unexpected situations.
- Emotional resilience, patience and a supportive, non-judgmental approach.
- High attention to detail, especially around documentation and record-keeping.
- Willingness to complete all required training, including medication competency.
Desirable Skills
- Experience working with people with mental health needs.
- Understanding of risk management, safeguarding, and crisis prevention approaches.
- Experience supporting individuals with complex needs or behaviours of concern.
What We Offer
At Milestones Trust, we recognise that our staff are the heart of everything we do. In return, we offer a competitive pay and benefits package, including:
- 30 days’ annual leave, including recognised public holidays
- Learning and development to support your career growth
- Nationally recognised qualifications, from entry-level care to management
- Flexible working, with rotas provided in advance
- Occupational Sick Pay after two years, increasing with service
- Health Cash Plan after probation, offering at least £695 cashback for health treatments (dental, optical, therapies, maternity/paternity, prescriptions)
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- Free enhanced DBS check
- Dayforce Wallet, giving you access to your earnings before payday
- Employee referral scheme with financial rewards
- Employee Assistance Programme from day one, offering confidential 24/7 support
- Company pension scheme to help grow your retirement savings
We pride ourselves with being able to offer staff opportunities to develop and progress their careers within the Trust.
Interested? For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Shakira Sedgeman on 01179 236067.
Support Worker - Nights - Mental Health employer: Milestone Trust
Milestones Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to providing a supportive and person-centred environment for both staff and the individuals we serve. Located in Longwell Green, our small residential service fosters close-knit relationships among team members, ensuring that you receive comprehensive training and mentoring to thrive in your role as a Support Worker. With a strong commitment to employee growth, competitive benefits including generous leave, health cash plans, and flexible working arrangements, we empower our staff to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those with learning disabilities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker - Nights - Mental Health
✨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 Milestone Trust.
✨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 Milestone Trust!
✨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 Milestone Trust, 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 Milestone Trust 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 Support Worker - Nights - Mental Health
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 Milestone Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Milestone Trust! 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 Milestone Trust
✨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.