Salary: £17,051 based on full time hours

Hours: Full time (37.5 hours p/w) or part time available

Contract: Fixed term for 6 months

Location: Gateshead

About the role

We currently have exciting opportunities for compassionate and committed individuals to join us as Support Workers to assist at our Older People Services. As a Support Worker, you will be passionate about helping to improve the wellbeing of older people living with dementia and other complex mental health needs.

 We are looking for highly motivated individuals with good communication and interpersonal skills, plus a genuine desire to work with this client group. The ability to work effectively within a team in order to support our service users to achieve their own recovery goals is essential. Ideally you will have previous experience of working with individuals with complex mental health needs, though this is not essential.

We provide two kinds of services for older people: caring for those with dementia, and supportive rehabilitation for those who have other complex mental health problems. Our main focus is getting to know our service user as well as we can, so that we can meet their needs in ways that improve wellbeing. Our buildings are well-equipped to meet the healthcare needs of the people we care for, however we work hard to keep things as homely and relaxed as possible. More information about our Older People Services can be found by visiting the "Mental Health Concern" website.

You will be joining Mental Health Concern, which is a leading NHS and Local Authority commissioned charity that provides a wide range of specialist mental health services, supporting people with mental health problems to live valued lives. As part of the Concern Group, we are primarily based in the North East of England and employ over 275 staff. Established for over 30 years, we are proud to be one of the largest non-statutory providers of mental health services in England. It is our mission to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the people we serve. Our staff are key in delivering this mission, and are committed to the organisations core values which are at the heart of everything we do.

 This is an excellent opportunity to join an organisation that has experienced recent growth and continues to seek new opportunities to further strengthen and build upon our excellent reputation.

About you

We would love to hear from you if you:

• Have knowledge and experience of working with people with complex mental health needs
• Are passionate about helping and caring for people with dementia
• Have good social skills and ability to build trusting relationships with the people we care for
• Are able to recognise and maintain appropriate boundaries and awareness of safeguarding issues

What we will offer you

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising with length in service) and with the opportunity to purchase more
• A comprehensive induction and ongoing training, development and supervision
• An enhanced pension scheme
• A supportive culture that values work-life balance
• Access to LifeWorks, which provides excellent corporate discounts on shopping, cinema tickets and restaurants
• An Employee Assistance Programme which offers 24/7 financial, legal and personal advice, including free access to counselling where required
• Discounted gym membership
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Death in Service Insurance

How to apply

• The job description and person specification are attached. It is essential you read these documents prior to applying. If you would like further information, please call Deborah Smith (Service Manager) on 0191 477 7833 who will be happy to help.
• Please apply through the NHS Jobs website. On your application form, please specify which service and which hours you would prefer. Alternatively, let us know if you have no preference.
• Please note, all correspondence will be sent to the email address or phone number provided on your application form. To avoid missing our emails, please regularly check your Junk Mail folders.

This advertisement is open until further notice due to the importance of filling this role. Please note, there may be no warning of when this advert will close, so do not delay in applying.

Interview dates are to be confirmed.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, which we will cover the cost of. Concern Group reserves the right to close the vacancy prior to the closing date if a large volume of applications are received. If you have not heard from us within 6 weeks of applying please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.