Job summary
We're looking for a caring, motivated Community Support Worker to join our friendly and forward-thinking Older Adults Mental Health Service in Newbury.
You'll work mainly with our Home Treatment Team but also support the Community Mental Health Team and Memory Clinic--offering variety, flexibility, and meaningful patient interaction.
In this role, you'll visit people across West Berkshire in their homes, supporting those living with functional mental health problems and dementia. You'll work closely with Mental Health Practitioners to deliver compassionate, person-centred care that makes a real difference in people's lives.
We welcome applicants who are passionate about working with older adults and people with dementia. You'll be part of a supportive team, have your own caseload, and play a vital role in helping patients remain well and independent at home.
Full training and support will be provided.
Hours include weekday shifts (9-5 or 11-7), plus weekend and bank holiday cover. Your shift would normally include at least 2 lates during the week and a Saturday and Sunday once a month. Bank Holiday cover is 9am-3pm.
If you're looking for a rewarding role in a team that truly values compassion, teamwork, and patient care--we'd love you to apply!
In-Person Interviews for this role will be taking place on the afternoon of Monday 1st September.
Main duties of the job
- Observe and monitor mental state and levels of functioning, reporting observations to qualified mental health staff.
- Provide social and emotional support to patients and carers within the context of trusting and therapeutic relationships.
- Enable the patient to develop and maintain their social skills, encourage social contacts and promote social networks if/when appropriate.
- Assist in the process of assessment and meeting care needs of patients and their carers in the community.
- Participate in individual therapies in patients' homes and in the community, contributing to the jointly agreed care plan, working under the supervision of qualified staff.
- Co-facilitate and support staff in group activities including Cognitive Stimulation Therapy.
- To provide support to MHPs in the provision of psychosocial assessment and intervention for behaviours that challenge in dementia.
- Liaise with other agencies in both statutory and voluntary sectors, e.g. Alzheimer's Society, Age Concern, Social Services, etc.
- Be responsible for organising own daily work schedule to meet the clinical needs of the service.
- Maintain clinical records as requested by a qualified member of staff.
- Participate in the process of clinical supervision and appraisal.
- Attend team meetings as appropriate.
About us
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
- Caring for and about you is our top priority
- Committed to providing good quality, safe services
- Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
- Flexible working options to support work-life balance
- 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
- Generous NHS pension scheme
- Excellent learning and career development opportunities
- 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
- Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
- Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
- Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
- Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
- Free parking across Trust sites
Job description
Job responsibilities
The must haves for this role:
- Have a passion to work with people of Older Age and people experiencing dementia.
- 1 year minimal experience of working with Older Adults and people with Dementia of any age in the community setting (CMHT Older Adults).
- A Car Driver with access to a vehicle that can be used for work purposes.
Please note that reliance on public transport will not support adequate transportation. Please share your planned transportation means clearly in your application. If this information is not shared progression to shortlisting will not be possible.
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call: Suzanne Wilson on 0118 904 3100 or email: suzanne.wilson@berkshire.nhs.uk wholl be delighted to help.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The must haves for this role:
- Have a passion to work with people of Older Age and people experiencing dementia.
- 1 year minimal experience of working with Older Adults and people with Dementia of any age in the community setting (CMHT Older Adults).
- A Car Driver with access to a vehicle that can be used for work purposes.
Please note that reliance on public transport will not support adequate transportation. Please share your planned transportation means clearly in your application. If this information is not shared progression to shortlisting will not be possible.
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call: Suzanne Wilson on 0118 904 3100 or email: suzanne.wilson@berkshire.nhs.uk wholl be delighted to help.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications/Training
Essential
Experience
Essential
- Paid or unpaid direct care experience with Older Adults.
- 1 year + of working with older people with both functional mental health difficulties and with people with Dementia (any age) in the Community Setting (CMHT, Older Adults).
Desirable
- Experience of facilitating Cognitive Stimulation Therapy.
- Experience in dealing with challenging behaviour
Knowledge, skills & abilities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including verbal & written communication
- Ability to prioritise & manage demanding workload
- Ability to deal with sensitive issues & manage conflict situation
- Computer literate
- Ability to work on own initiative and/or within a team
- Ability to travel to multiple sites with minimal impact on daily productivity.
Desirable
- Knowledge in risk assessment
- Knowledge of mental health legislation
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Flexible & innovative
- Proactive & dynamic
- Well organised and highly motivated
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications/Training
Essential
Experience
Essential
- Paid or unpaid direct care experience with Older Adults.
- 1 year + of working with older people with both functional mental health difficulties and with people with Dementia (any age) in the Community Setting (CMHT, Older Adults).
Desirable
- Experience of facilitating Cognitive Stimulation Therapy.
- Experience in dealing with challenging behaviour
Knowledge, skills & abilities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including verbal & written communication
- Ability to prioritise & manage demanding workload
- Ability to deal with sensitive issues & manage conflict situation
- Computer literate
- Ability to work on own initiative and/or within a team
- Ability to travel to multiple sites with minimal impact on daily productivity.
Desirable
- Knowledge in risk assessment
- Knowledge of mental health legislation
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Flexible & innovative
- Proactive & dynamic
- Well organised and highly motivated
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.
