Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Support Worker

The closing date is 26 February 2026

Job summary

Join us as a Mental Health Community Support Worker within the Specialist Team for Early Psychosis (STEP) in Exeter and East Devon. An exciting opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives as part of a supportive and friendly team.

Our Early Intervention services provide evidence-based interventions proven to reduce the risk of illness, using a holistic bio-psycho-social approach. The STEP service is an innovative, specialist multi-disciplinary team working across both adult and young persons services within Devon Partnership NHS Trust. Our diverse team includes Mental Health Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Advanced Nurse Practitioner/Independent Prescriber, Clinical Psychologists, Cognitive Behavioural Therapists and Support Workers. We are proud to be committed to the Triangle of Care, with many staff trained in Family Interventions, fostering a truly collaborative environment.

In this rewarding role, you will empower individuals to reclaim their lives by reconnecting with social networks and support systems that are often disrupted during the early stages of psychosis.

We are passionate about the recovery model and actively value lived experience as an essential part of our teams expertise.

We are seeking compassionate individuals who put patients at the centre of everything they do, communicate well with others, and are eager to contribute to innovative, person-centred care.

Main duties of the job

As part of your role, you will help patients access the support they need to address their social, physical, and mental health needs, promoting recovery, independence, and social inclusion. You will collaborate closely with teams across both Primary and Secondary care, enhancing our service provision and encouraging engagement. You will have the opportunity to work both independently and as part of our multidisciplinary team, contributing to group activities and family interventions that make a real difference.

You will also play a vital role in supporting patients physical health by carrying out monitoring such as measuring blood pressure, height and weight, and using a Point of Care blood test machine.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Date posted

26 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9369-26-0015

Job locations

Wonford House

Dryden Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5AF

Devon Partnership Nhs Trust

St. Johns Road

Exmouth

Devon

EX84DD

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job responsibilities

A full Job Description is included in the supporting documents.

If successful, you will manage a small caseload under the guidance of keyworkers, actively participating in interventions and planned activities. You will also provide support, advice, information, and education to service users, as well as carry out physical health monitoring for clients.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job responsibilities

A full Job Description is included in the supporting documents.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Previous employment / experience of working with people in a caring situation or previous experience working in a different role within mental health services.

Desirable

Previous care experience with people who have Mental Health difficulties.

Qualifications

Essential

Basic Education
To complete the Care Certificate within the first 6 months of employment, unless already obtained or evidence of equivalent.

Desirable

NVQ level 3, QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification.
Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.

Knowledge and skills

Essential

Demonstrate an ability to make and sustain professional therapeutic relationships.
Good communication and listening skills.
Ability to work with people in a group and individual basis.
Good written communication.
Able to work in a team effectively.
Mobility throughout the area covered by the trust.
Awareness of safeguarding principles.
IT Skills.

Desirable

Knowledge of mental health and a basic understanding of physical health presentations.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Previous employment / experience of working with people in a caring situation or previous experience working in a different role within mental health services.

Desirable

Previous care experience with people who have Mental Health difficulties.

Qualifications

Essential

Basic Education
To complete the Care Certificate within the first 6 months of employment, unless already obtained or evidence of equivalent.

Desirable

NVQ level 3, QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification.
Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.

Knowledge and skills

Essential

Demonstrate an ability to make and sustain professional therapeutic relationships.
Good communication and listening skills.
Ability to work with people in a group and individual basis.
Good written communication.
Able to work in a team effectively.
Mobility throughout the area covered by the trust.
Awareness of safeguarding principles.
IT Skills.

Desirable

Knowledge of mental health and a basic understanding of physical health presentations.

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