Job summary
We are seeking to recruit a Community Healthcare Support Worker to join our multidisciplinary CMHT. We are part of secondary mental health care, supporting working-age adults (typically 18-67 years) with severe & complex mental health difficulties. As community staff we visit people in their homes within the North West Cardiff area, though may have to escort individuals to other areas as part of role.
We are looking for a candidate who is not only passionate about delivering high-quality mental health care, but who also possesses the experience and skills required to carry out this role effectively.
Although full induction and training will be provided, applicants would ideally have experience working with individuals experiencing mental health difficulties (or similar complex presentations). An understanding of common mental illnesses, health and social care systems, and the range of third-sector support available locally would be highly beneficial.
This can be a challenging job, every day will be different and every service user will have complex challenges unique to them. The reward of this post is being an active participant of a service users recovery from illness.
Please avoid/minimise use of artificial intelligence in completion of supporting information, we would value independently written statements that reflect your experience, understanding of post and why you are suitable candidate.
Main duties of the job
This role involves working autonomously on a one-to-one basis with a caseload of mental health service users, delivering direct care that promotes independence and supports mental health recovery. This may include providing practical support, assisting with problem-solving, monitoring wellbeing, undertaking selected therapeutic tasks as part of care plan under the guidance of qualified clinicians, supporting individuals to access community resources and groups, accompanying service users to appointments, and completing clinical observations.
The post holder will visit individuals in their own homes as well as other community settings. An understanding of lone-working practices, common mental health presentations, and principles of mental health risk assessment and management will be essential. The role can at times be challenging due to the complex needs ; strong communication skills and the ability to remain flexible and responsive to new or changing situations are key requirements.
The main focus of care delivery is working with mental health service users to increase independence, preventing relapse and maximising recovery. As well as mental health care there are elements of promoting physical health with this cohort. In addition to community-based work, the Healthcare Support Worker will contribute to clinic activities within the team base alongside nursing colleagues, undertaking physical health observations as part of medication monitoring requirements.
About us
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 17,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving over 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone, delivering excellent care and support.
Our mission is "Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together", and our vision is that every person's chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. Our 10-year transformation and improvement strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, is our chance to work collaboratively with the public and our workforce to make our health board more sustainable for the future.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached All Wales HCSW job description for full description of duties. Key responsibilities include:
Building supportive therapeutic relationships on 1:1 basis.
Using enhanced communication skills, empathy, compassion and deescalation techniques.
Helping service users practice taught skills to manage distress and challenging emotions.
Encouraging healthy daily routine/activity.
Practical support to access appropriate support for needs (e.g. financial advice, housing support, substance abuse services). If necessary working with individuals to gain independence with budgeting/shopping/public transport.
Graduated work to increase confidence, overcome anxiety, access community as part of care plan overseen by qualified member of team.
If required assisting individuals to attend appointments.On occasions post holder may be required to be second person/chaperone on visits or in clinic appointments.
During 1:1 contacts- track changes in presentation, recognise signs of relapse, encourage compliance with treatment plans.
Clear and accurate documentation. Feeding back changes to allocated staff.
If applicants are successful in securing an interview we would recommend making contact with the panel as part of their interview preparation to ensure they have a good understanding of what the role entails.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached All Wales HCSW job description for full description of duties. Key responsibilities include:
Building supportive therapeutic relationships on 1:1 basis.
Using enhanced communication skills, empathy, compassion and deescalation techniques.
Helping service users practice taught skills to manage distress and challenging emotions.
Encouraging healthy daily routine/activity.
Practical support to access appropriate support for needs (e.g. financial advice, housing support, substance abuse services). If necessary working with individuals to gain independence with budgeting/shopping/public transport.
Graduated work to increase confidence, overcome anxiety, access community as part of care plan overseen by qualified member of team.
If required assisting individuals to attend appointments.On occasions post holder may be required to be second person/chaperone on visits or in clinic appointments.
During 1:1 contacts- track changes in presentation, recognise signs of relapse, encourage compliance with treatment plans.
Clear and accurate documentation. Feeding back changes to allocated staff.
If applicants are successful in securing an interview we would recommend making contact with the panel as part of their interview preparation to ensure they have a good understanding of what the role entails.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Level 3 min healthcare qualification or equivalent experience
- Able to complete V&A training
Desirable
- Trained in V&A for mental health
- Mental health specific qualification or training
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in health/social care setting providing direct (1:1) care -can include 3rd sector
Desirable
- Experience of working with mental health service users
- Experience of working with people with complex needs or challenging presentations
- NHS or Council work experience or equivilents that required knowledge of 3rd sector organisations, common services accessed and support available in community
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Working with minimal supervision
- Organisation skills, able to prioritise workload
Desirable
- Welsh language skills
- Clinical skills (either MH assessment or physical observations)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Level 3 min healthcare qualification or equivalent experience
- Able to complete V&A training
Desirable
- Trained in V&A for mental health
- Mental health specific qualification or training
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in health/social care setting providing direct (1:1) care -can include 3rd sector
Desirable
- Experience of working with mental health service users
- Experience of working with people with complex needs or challenging presentations
- NHS or Council work experience or equivilents that required knowledge of 3rd sector organisations, common services accessed and support available in community
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Working with minimal supervision
- Organisation skills, able to prioritise workload
Desirable
- Welsh language skills
- Clinical skills (either MH assessment or physical observations)
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.
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
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.
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).
