At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide emotional support and practical assistance to residents with mental health challenges.
- Company: Join a caring team at Harwood House, dedicated to supporting mental health.
- Benefits: Enjoy 37 days annual leave, discounts, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Receive training in therapeutic talk therapies and access to wellbeing resources.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your skills in mental health support.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths; commitment to personal development and mental health.
The predicted salary is between 14 - 15 £ per hour.
Salary: £14.06 - £15.19 per hour. Hours – Monday – Sunday, shifts include days, evenings, nights and weekends. Service – Harwood House, Aylesbury.
What You’ll Be Doing
Response is looking for an enthusiastic, caring person to join their dedicated team at Harwood House. The Harwood House team is a 24/7 supported living scheme for adults with long‑term mental health issues. Clients are supported at Harwood House following extended stays on acute psychiatric and rehabilitation wards or are returning closer to home after periods in out‑of‑county placements. As a Mental Health Support Worker, you will be responsible for providing person‑centred support to residents with serious mental illness including adults who have a primary diagnosis of a psychotic illness often with one or more coexisting conditions such as physical health issues, neurodiversity, drugs & alcohol use and cognitive impairment.
Clients praise the passion of our Support Workers: “The staff are caring, kind, compassionate and understanding. They support me and care for me and are first class. I am happier now than I have been in years.”—Client in Adult Services.
Core Duties
- Provide emotional support, encouragement, and practical assistance to residents with daily living activities. This may include medication assistance, engaging with interests, education, accessing community groups/facilities, employment, teaching life skills such as shopping, budgeting, using public transport, planning to prepare and cook meals, and maintaining accommodation.
- Foster a supportive and empowering environment that promotes residents’ independence and monitor their physical and mental health, ensuring access to primary health services or liaising with mental health services.
- Support clients to attend appointments when required.
- Ensure daily paperwork is completed.
- Support the Service Manager to achieve monthly service targets.
- Comply with all Health and Safety measures to keep residents, visitors, colleagues and yourself safe.
- Work with all residents using a trauma‑informed approach based on the six principles of trauma informed care: Safety, Trust, Choice, Collaboration, Empowerment and Cultural Consideration.
- Promote engagement of family, friends and carers, ensuring they are involved in the resident’s support and given information about the service.
The Successful Applicant
Our main priority for all our roles at Response is to find people that can live our values every day – Caring, Safe, Creative and Aspirational.
Essential Criteria
- GCSEs in English and Maths (or equivalent).
- A commitment to undertake continual personal development, including completing the Care Certificate.
- IT literate with experience using MS Office packages.
- Good written, verbal and listening communication skills.
- Ability to provide non‑judgemental, emotional and practical support to residents.
- A genuine interest in mental health and well‑being with a commitment to delivering Response’s mission.
- Demonstrates high levels of personal and professional integrity aligned with Response’s vision, mission and values.
- Ability to follow health and safety procedures.
- Demonstrate respect for difference and diversity.
What We Offer
- 37 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays).
- Blue Light card and other discounted shopping.
- Employee Assistance Plan with access to free counselling.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Enhanced family‑friendly leave.
- Professional qualification sponsorship and study leave.
- £500 refer‑a‑friend bonus scheme.
- Optional health cash care plan providing discounts on prescriptions and treatments.
- Wellbeing hub and NHS‑approved mental wellbeing support app.
- Free flu jabs.
- Free DBS application.
You will receive training and confidence to use core therapeutic talk therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Strength‑Based Trauma Informed Care and Mutual Aid to provide the best possible support to our clients.
Closing date: 27/05/2026. We are a Disability Confident Employer. All our roles require an enhanced DBS check, two references from most recent employers and you must have the right to work in the UK.
Bank Mental Health Support Worker, Aylesbury employer: Response Organisation
Response is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the wellbeing of both employees and residents. With flexible hours and comprehensive training in therapeutic approaches, staff have ample opportunities for personal and professional growth while making a meaningful impact in the lives of those with serious mental illness in the Thatcham community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bank Mental Health Support Worker, Aylesbury
✨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 Response Organisation.
✨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 Response Organisation!
✨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 Response Organisation, 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 Response Organisation 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 Bank Mental Health Support Worker, Aylesbury
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 Response Organisation:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Response Organisation! 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 Response Organisation
✨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.
