At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support residents in their mental health recovery journey.
- Company: Response, a caring organisation dedicated to mental health services.
- Benefits: Generous leave, professional development, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your career.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths, plus a passion for mental health.
The predicted salary is between 28938 - 32214 £ per year.
Our mission at Response is to enable people of all ages to live a more fulfilled life by providing excellent mental health services, housing, and supported living. Do you have the desire to empower and promote independence and an interest in mental health?
Response is looking for an enthusiastic, caring person to join their dedicated team at Project 12. The Project 12 team focus on supporting residents through person-centred planning and individual goals to aid recovery. The service covers two shared houses and staff provide client support from 8am to 4pm and weekend morning medication. The service aims to create a comfortable, safe and pleasant environment while helping residents work towards more independent living in the future.
As a Senior Mental Health Support Worker, you will be responsible for leading shifts, medication management, delegating tasks, managing incidents, and monitoring the health & safety of the project and residents. You will mentor support workers, leading by positive example alongside having your own caseload. You will be responsible for providing person-centred support to clients 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.
Overall job responsibilities include:
- Lead shifts, delegating set diarised and daily tasks.
- Take the lead during incidents, safeguarding and complaints in the absence of the manager, ensuring policies and procedures are adhered to.
- Ensure all staff are completing relevant health and safety tasks.
- Mentor new support workers through induction including the completion of the Care Certificate and medication training.
- Complete the care certificate assessors training.
- Work within a One Team Approach and ensure this culture permeates throughout the team and lead by example.
- Respond to service phone queries and requests from both internal and external customers in a timely manner and delegate where appropriate to other members of the team.
- Undertake assessments of referrals and attend regular assessment and risk management training.
- Provide emotional support, encouragement, and practical assistance to residents with daily living activities.
- Ensure risk is continuously assessed and risk management plans are kept up to date.
- Comply and remain up to date with all safeguarding policies and procedures for both Adults and Children and Young People.
- Always represent the company in a professional and appropriate manner by considering punctuality, personal appearance and professional boundaries, including equal opportunities.
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.
- Detailed understanding of mental health and wellbeing challenges and the level of care and support residents may require.
- An understanding of current approaches to mental health practice.
- Good knowledge of how to support with referrals and assessments.
- An understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion issues impacting people’s lives.
- IT literate with experience using MS Office packages.
- Previous related work experience.
- Good communication skills, written, verbal and listening.
- A genuine interest in mental health and well-being with a commitment to delivering Response's mission.
What We Offer:
- 27 days annual leave and standard bank and public holidays.
- Blue Light card and other discounted shopping.
- Employee Assistant Programme - with access to free counselling.
- Cycle to Work Scheme (after probation).
- Enhanced family friendly leave.
- Professional qualification sponsorship and study leave.
- £500 refer a friend bonus scheme.
- Optional health cash care plan with money off prescriptions and treatments.
- Wellbeing hub and mental wellbeing support app – approved by NHS.
- Free flu jabs.
- Free DBS application.
You will receive the 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.
If this Senior Mental Health Support Worker position sounds like the role for you then please apply today! We would love to hear from you!
This vacancy may be closed early. To learn more about Response and what we do, please visit our website. Closing date – 02/06/2026.
All our roles require a DBS check, two references from most recent employers and you must have the right to work in the UK – Unfortunately, Response are not able to offer sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for the role and require sponsorship, you will be withdrawn from the recruitment process. Our employees and clients come from all over the world, we proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture and are registered as a Disability Confident Employer.
Senior Mental Health Support Worker, Oxford 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 Senior Mental Health Support Worker, Oxford
✨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 Senior Mental Health Support Worker, Oxford
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.
