Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Community Support Worker SMHTOP

The closing date is 05 August 2025

Job summary

The post holder will carry out mental health care and support to older people with mental health problems in the community in accordance with a laid down programme of care as designed by the multi-disciplinary team. The support worker provides this care under the direction of qualified nurses and social workers and encourages independence within the service user's social network. The post holder will regularly work alone without direct supervision for part of the span of duty.Support workers will have close working links and work in a co-ordinatedmanner with the members of the multi-disciplinary team, as well as DayCentre staff, Home Care staff and any other voluntary or statutory agencies involved with service users in their care.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking a motivated and self directed individual to join our community team working with older people.Mental Health Services for Older People in East Hertfordshire work with older people to assess, diagnose, treat and support mental health conditions and/or dementia. The post holder will support the qualified staff by working to care plans that aim to enhance and optimise the potential and recovery of people who are open to our service. The post holder will also support qualified staff with other tasks to ensure the smooth running of the care that we provide.Mental Health Services for Older People has two departments - Community and Crisis Function. The post holder will primarily work with the community team, but may also be required to work across the other teams. We primarily see people in their own homes.Car driver (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving)

Working hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission

Our family of over 4,000 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Date posted

22 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£26,240 to £27,928 a year per annum, pro rata (inclusive of 5% HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

367-SS-9559

Job locations

Rosanne House, Welwyn Garden City

Rosanne House, Parkway

Welwyn Garden City

AL8 6HG

Job description

Job responsibilities

To appraise senior staff of service users progress and observations of changes in their mental health condition and ensure that these changes are documented in service users notes.

Assist in the implementation of care ensuring service users rights to privacy, dignity, choice, independence and fulfilment are adhered to at all times.

Participation in multi-professional assessments and reporting back to other care agencies.

Providing support to service user and/or carer in accordance with a care plan, (maintaining social networks, maintaining a safe environment, communication/ liaison with other service providers, reassurance and emotional support persuading service user to accept support).

Participation in multi-professional reviews and Care Programme Approach / Care Management meetings.

Report any changes in circumstances in respect of the service users care to the agencies who are or may need to be involved in the service users or carers support network improving the quality of life, rehabilitation and independence of service users and their carers.

To ensure that all care services provided are offered without prejudice regardless of age, creed, gender, and ethnicity within their sphere of responsibility.

To develop awareness of service users cultural and ethnic needs to facilitate appropriate support and care.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To appraise senior staff of service users progress and observations of changes in their mental health condition and ensure that these changes are documented in service users notes.

Assist in the implementation of care ensuring service users rights to privacy, dignity, choice, independence and fulfilment are adhered to at all times.

Participation in multi-professional assessments and reporting back to other care agencies.

Participation in multi-professional reviews and Care Programme Approach / Care Management meetings.

To ensure that all care services provided are offered without prejudice regardless of age, creed, gender, and ethnicity within their sphere of responsibility.

To develop awareness of service users cultural and ethnic needs to facilitate appropriate support and care.

Person Specification

Knowledge/Training/Experience

Essential

Good standard of education (to include Maths and English GCSE grade c or above - or equivalent).
Computer literate (able to use Word, Excel, Powerpoint).
Knowledge of legislation related to mental health and social care (e.g. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, National Service Framework, National Dementia Strategy, Care Programme Approach etc)
Ability to manage distressing and challenging situations.

Desirable

NVQ in Health and Social Care
Experience of working with people with mental health conditions
Experience of working with people with dementia

Communication Skills

Essential

Excellent communication skills, verbally and in writing
Ability to feedback and discuss cases within the multi disciplinary team.
Excellent documentation of duties performed.
Confidence to work autonomously in the community.

Analytical skills

Essential

Good range of problem solving skills
Good range of information gathering skills.
Positive approach to older people
Fine attention to detail

General

Essential

Good team player
Committed to high quality care and service provision for older people.
Good time management.
Ability to work flexibly to meet the service needs.
Able to drive and have access to a vehicle for work purposes

Desirable

Ability to network, and form working relationships with other agencies, charities and providers.

Person Specification

Knowledge/Training/Experience

Essential

Good standard of education (to include Maths and English GCSE grade c or above - or equivalent).
Computer literate (able to use Word, Excel, Powerpoint).
Knowledge of legislation related to mental health and social care (e.g. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, National Service Framework, National Dementia Strategy, Care Programme Approach etc)
Ability to manage distressing and challenging situations.

Desirable

NVQ in Health and Social Care
Experience of working with people with mental health conditions
Experience of working with people with dementia

Communication Skills

Essential

Excellent communication skills, verbally and in writing
Ability to feedback and discuss cases within the multi disciplinary team.
Excellent documentation of duties performed.
Confidence to work autonomously in the community.

Analytical skills

Essential

Good range of problem solving skills
Good range of information gathering skills.
Positive approach to older people
Fine attention to detail

General

Essential

Good team player
Committed to high quality care and service provision for older people.
Good time management.
Ability to work flexibly to meet the service needs.
Able to drive and have access to a vehicle for work purposes

Desirable

Ability to network, and form working relationships with other agencies, charities and providers.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Rosanne House, Welwyn Garden City

Rosanne House, Parkway

Welwyn Garden City

AL8 6HG

Employer's website

https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Rosanne House, Welwyn Garden City

Rosanne House, Parkway

Welwyn Garden City

AL8 6HG

Employer's website

https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)