At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with complex needs on their journey to wellbeing and independence.
- Company: Join one of the UK's oldest and respected mental health charities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent training, career development, and a friendly work environment.
- Other info: Flexible shifts and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Empathy, problem-solving skills, and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Together is a fantastic place to work - and not just because we’re one of the UK’s oldest and most respected mental health charities. It’s because we place the people who use our services at the heart of everything we do, supporting and empowering them to take control of their lives and make a positive contribution to their communities. We have an exciting opportunity to join our Supported Accommodation Service at Jankyns Place in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. In this role, you will work alongside people with complex needs, supporting them on their journey towards greater wellbeing and independence.
We are looking for an inspiring and compassionate individual who can take a creative and person‑centred approach when working with people experiencing mental health challenges. Using your passion for empowering individuals with complex mental health and social care needs, you will support people to improve their quality of life and sustain their tenancies. While experience is not essential, we offer excellent training opportunities and the chance to work in a dynamic and friendly environment, with competitive pay, career development opportunities, and a range of benefits. Above all, we are seeking someone with a genuine passion for helping people take control of their own lives and a strong belief in recovery.
Key Responsibilities- Establish and maintain relationships of trust with service users, to build engagement
- Help service users to set, prioritise and achieve goals, managing their tenancies and move‑ons
- Work flexibly with service users in their homes and in the community
- Carry out assessments and determine urgency of service user needs
- Work with professionals from other agencies, and make onward referrals, linking service users into community opportunities
- Carry out risk assessments, in order to keep service users safe and improve the quality of our support
- Attend placement reviews
- Work with service users on a 1:1 basis and in groups
- Assist service users to deal with financial issues and navigate the benefits and education systems; manage friendships and family relationships; manage their medication, in accordance with Together procedures
- Accompany service users to appointments
- Assist service users to undertake domestic tasks such as cooking and cleaning, ensuring adherence to infection control (training provided)
- Assist service users with personal care as and when required
- Adhere to the Together policy on lone working
- Make timely records which are concise, accurate, written for the service user to understand, using Together computer‑based systems
- Write clear word processed and handwritten reports (training provided) and records in English
- Participate in mandatory and job‑related courses and learning activities
- Maintain professional boundaries in all aspects of work with service users
- Experience in supporting vulnerable individuals gained from paid work and/or voluntary and/or life experience
- Minimum of GCSE or Level II qualification in English, or equivalent
- Basic competence in the use of email and word processing software
- Demonstrate a non‑judgemental attitude and able to be empathetic towards service users and create a trusting environment
- Able to work in partnership with services users and establish and maintain professional boundaries in working with service users
- Able to establish and maintain a safe environment
- Willing and able to undertake domestic tasks with, and for, service users as necessary
- Demonstrate problem‑solving skills relating to welfare benefits, education and relationships
- Open to - and willing to participate in - formal and informal job‑related learning
- Willing and able to collaborate with colleagues and other organisations
- Able to use email and computerised systems for service user records and reports
- Able to travel; have access to car/public transport
- Able to work a varying pattern of shifts on a 24 hour 7-day week rota, with notice
- Lived experience of mental distress
- NVQ Level II in Health and Social Care, or equivalent
Support Worker in Bury St Edmunds employer: Together UK
Together is an exceptional employer, renowned for its commitment to empowering individuals facing mental health challenges. Located in the welcoming community of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, we offer a supportive and dynamic work environment where employees can thrive through comprehensive training, competitive pay, and ample career development opportunities. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying a culture that values compassion, collaboration, and personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker in Bury St Edmunds
✨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 Together UK.
✨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 Together UK!
✨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 Together UK, 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 Together UK 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 in Bury St Edmunds
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 Together UK:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Together UK! 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 Together UK
✨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.
