Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Community Support Worker

The closing date is 15 April 2026

Job summary

Rapid Response works closely with emergency services and the Beachy Head Chaplains to support people experiencing mental health crisis, helping to avoid A&E conveyance and the use of Section 136 during operational hours.

We are recruiting Community Support Workers primarily based in Crawley, Brighton or Worthing, with flexibility to work across all areas including Eastbourne. Please state your preferred base at interview.

The role supports mental health professionals in delivering person-centred interventions, assessments and care plans for those in crisis. Support may be provided by phone, virtually, or at scene.

To succeed in this role, you will have:

Experience in mental health services and a willingness to further develop your skills
A full UK driving licence
Awareness of factors affecting safety and service user experience
Understanding of risks impacting emergency service colleagues

Shifts are long days midday to midnight, 7 days a week, with generous enhancements.

Main duties of the job

Rapid Response operate every day of the week between midday and midnight, with staff working long day shifts. The team also work in partnership with Blue Light Line who provide a single point of access to Paramedics and Police giving information and clinical advice to ensure that patients achieve the best outcomes and reduce the need for conveyance to A&E and alternatives to the use of S136.

The role of the community support worker will be driving the mental health professional, using the trusts long wheel base van, to the location if they are required 'on scene'.

To be able to provide basic first aid if required and assist the mental health professional by providing support to carers. Prior to, and following an intervention support the mental health professional with administrative tasks.

Main duties of the job

To be an active team member supporting the Rapid Response Practitioner to fulfil the requirements of their role.
To drive the mental health vehicle provided to the location of the person in crisis
To be confident in face to face and telephone communication with Police, Paramedics and other Service Partners. To accurately record messages and conversations.
Support carers and loved ones at scene enabling the Rapid Response practitioner to focus on their assessment/intervention.
Assist Rapid Response Practitioner with administrative tasks including data entry.
To contribute to improving access to supportive services for persons in mental health crisis

About us

We provide mental health and learning disability care for children, young people and adults across Sussex and for children and young people in Hampshire.

Working in Sussex:

Travel easily between coast and countryside, with a blend of picturesque villages and seaside towns

Embrace the city life with great access to visit Brighton and London

With easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow and excellent railway links across the UK there is plenty of opportunity for adventure

We'd love you to join our organisation that is rated 'good' overall and 'outstanding' for caring by the CQC. Our staff agree, in our recent staff survey 82% told us that they recognise that care for patients is our top priority.

Date posted

01 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum / pro rata for part time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

354-AB-21071

Job locations

Langley Green, Mill View Hospital and Swandean

Crawley, Hove and Worthing

BN3 7HY

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see job description for full details

You must hold a full UK driving licence and be competent and willing to drive across Trust sites, in the long wheel base, mental health vehicle provided.

Provide support to the Rapid Response practitioners enabling them to fulfil their roles and responsibilities.

Work in partnership with patients, families and carers to achieve positive outcomes which promote their strengths and independence.

Work collaboratively with emergency service colleagues and other teams and services.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see job description for full details

You must hold a full UK driving licence and be competent and willing to drive across Trust sites, in the long wheel base, mental health vehicle provided.

Provide support to the Rapid Response practitioners enabling them to fulfil their roles and responsibilities.

Work in partnership with patients, families and carers to achieve positive outcomes which promote their strengths and independence.

Work collaboratively with emergency service colleagues and other teams and services.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

A recognised qualification in an area related to the workplace or equivalent technical/life skills
Evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning
Health care or relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent skills

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE

Essential

Experience of working with people with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity
Experience working as part of a team
Experience of being supervised

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

A recognised qualification in an area related to the workplace or equivalent technical/life skills
Evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning
Health care or relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent skills

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE

Essential

Experience of working with people with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity
Experience working as part of a team
Experience of being supervised

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information