Communication Support Worker

Site Balham Health Centre Town London, Wallington Salary £38,488 - £46,852 per annum inclusive of Inner London HCAS Salary period Yearly Closing 21/10/2026 23:59

South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We provide a full range of local mental health services to the Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth London boroughs, as well as specialist forensic mental health services, including specialised services such as national deaf adults and CAMHS inpatients and OCD.

We are committed to providing high quality integrated health and social care for local people with mental health problems in South West London and more specialist mental health services for people throughout the UK. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’ however we aim to be ‘outstanding’.

Our Values

We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values; being consistent, compassionate, collaborative, respectful and open is at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is "making life better together".

When you join us, you’ll be part of something special – an innovative and rapidly growing organisation that is helping to redefine the Mental Health, education and social care landscape in the UK.

As a Trust, we are happy to talk flexible working.

Job overview

We are seeking a motivated, organised, committed individual to work on a one-to-one basis providing sighted support to a visually impaired member of staff.

The visually impaired staff member works within a community-based healthcare team. This is a multidisciplinary service, which provides community-based health care for adults with learning disabilities.

The post holder will required to work at the staff members home (Mitcham London) to support home based working and at Balham Health Centre (120-124 Bedford Hill London). Occasional travel between sites in South West London will be required.

There will be a requirement to work flexibly in this role and we are happy to discuss this at interview stage.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will support the staff member when they are working from home and the office base to enable the staff member to carry out her role fully.

There will be a requirement to travel between sites on occasion.

The post holder will be compassionate and able to work collaboratively with others.

An ability to confidently navigate Microsoft applications is of benefit.

Working for our organisation

We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.

We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’ - we aspire to be ‘outstanding’.

This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027.

We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.

We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.

Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.

Unless expressly stated in the job advert the role is not subject to sponsorship, please be advised that all offers of employment are subject to evidence of right to work in the UK.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To assist with accessing technology used by the staff member to enable them to deliver their role fully.

To assist with administrative tasks such as note taking.

To assist with reviewing and entering data on Electronic Health Records and other systems used by the staff member.

To read written information to the staff member as and when required.

To assist with transcribing information into accessible formats.

To assist the staff member to find files, references, articles etc.

To complete the necessary Access to Work (ATW) paperwork and submit to the organisation’s financial team at the end of each month taking into account the time limits set from time to time by ATW.

To support the staff member when attending training and meetings by taking relevant notes and transcribing them into the relevant format.

To assist the staff member with mobility and orientation around the workplace, especially when working out of the office environment.

To support the visually impaired staff member to travel to and from appointments during the working day.

To actively participate in the organisation’s performance management processes including induction, supervision and appraisal.

To undertake training and development activities as agreed with your manager.

To ensure that all information about the members of staff being supported and the service users they work with is kept strictly confidential.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications

If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.

Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.

Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.

Person specification

Experience

• Experience working in a team
• Experience of working in partnership with a wide range of people and organisations.
• The ability to work under direction, to take instruction and to carry out assigned tasks accurately and efficiently.
• Experience of working with visually impaired people

Training & Qualifications

• Numeracy and literacy to GCSE level (with minimum of 5 A-E, which must include Maths & English)
• GCSE English or equivalent
• Computer qualifications or experience/skills.
• Ability to demonstrate competency in specific skills relating to role.

Knowledge & Skills

• Able to demonstrate an acceptable level of oral & written, literacy and numeracy.
• Evidence of interpersonal skills
• Ability to listen effectively and communicate at all levels in a non- judgemental way.
• Basic First aid
• Basic health and safety awareness

At South West London St Georges Mental Health Trust we are committed to providing services which embrace diversity and that promote equality of opportunity. We are a Disability Committed Employer, and welcome applications from all sections of the community and people of all protected characteristics. We are Members of Stonewall Diversity Champions and Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion.

As part of the Trust's commitment to Equalities and Diversity, the Trust supports the establishment of Staff Networks groups to promote diversity in the workplace:

• BME (Evolve) Staff Network
• DiverseAbility
• Mental Health Staff Forum
• Women's Staff Network
• LGBTQIA+

We are committed to supporting the Armed Forces Community and has signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

We provide reasonable adjustments to the interview process for any candidates with a disability.

Please note:

• That the closing date listed is a guide only and that the vacancy may close earlier should sufficient number of applicants have been received
• That once you have submitted your application you agree to your application being transferred to a 3 rd party e-recruitment system
• That should you not have heard from us within three weeks from the closing date your application has not successful
• That priority consideration for applications may be given to at-risk NHS employees
• That should you be successful and appointed, you authorise South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust to confirm your previous NHS service via an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process
• That your employment is offered subject to successful completion of a Probationary Period depending on your Band (except medical roles)
• That we are a smoke-free Trust

South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including job applications, sponsorship arrangements, or employment offers. The contact details published on our official website are the Trust's authorised contact channels and should be used for all recruitment communications, job applications, and verification of employment offers.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Name Maria Field Job title Clinical Manager Learning Disability Services Email address Maria.Field@swlstg.nhs.uk Telephone number 07811837103

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