Mental Health Support Worker
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for a Mental Health Support Worker based at HMP Ashfield, Bristol.
Are you ready to unlock your potential within a challenging, creative and fast‑paced work environment? Do you want to work with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past? This is an excellent opportunity to join our diverse, talented healthcare team and deliver care that is efficient, deeply centred on the patient and highly rewarding.
We deliver Mental Health, Physical Health, Pharmacy and Clinical Substance Misuse in an integrated model to support people in prison. The role focuses on supporting inmates with acute mental health needs, facilitating recovery and enabling engagement with mainstream services.
About Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Oxleas offers a wide range of NHS healthcare services to people in community and secure environments, including prisons. We work with local councils, voluntary sector partners and NHS colleagues to provide high‑quality care across more than 125 sites in South England.
Values
* We’re Kind
* We’re Fair
* We Listen
* We Care
Key Responsibilities
* Act as the care/recovery coordinator for an allocated caseload of service users, organising and participating in the assessment, planning, delivery and review of care.
* Develop, review and implement care plans and provide defined interventions to support daily living skills, confidence and independence.
* Arrange and facilitate CPD, risk assessments, crisis management and rapid access plans in line with policy.
* Provide therapeutic activities and self‑help groups to improve coping skills, sleep, anger, anxiety, stress management and relaxation.
* Maintain accurate, confidential records and complete relevant documentation.
* Work collaboratively with patients, carers and multidisciplinary teams to manage mental health needs and relapse prevention.
* Support carers by providing assessment, engagement and practical support.
* Promote patient rights, including understanding and exercising rights under the Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act.
* Ensure health, safety and security standards are met across all workplace settings.
* Participate in local arrangements to ensure consistent care across the local geography.
Essential Qualifications
* NVQ Level 3 in a mental health setting or equivalent qualification.
Essential Experience
* Relevant experience in a health or social care setting or related voluntary organisation.
* Clear understanding of recovery principles and secondary mental health service roles.
* Knowledge of health and social care policy and legislation, including the MHA and CPA.
Desirable Experience
* Prison or secure environment experience.
Essential Skills
* Excellent communication and relationship‑building with patients, carers and professionals.
* Developed IT literacy and working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Applicants Must Provide
* Proof of right‑to‑work documentation.
* Proof of ID – 1 photographic ID.
* Proof of address documentation.
* Non‑UK passport holders must provide correct documentation (right‑to‑work in the UK) and a Home Office Share code.
* Five‑year address history; if unavailable, a police certificate in English for previous places of residence.
Important Information
All applicants must be willing to undertake National Security Vetting in order to work in a prison setting.
Applications from job seekers who require a certificate of sponsorship will not be considered for this role.
Employment Details
* Salary: £27,485 to £30,162 per annum.
* Band: 4.
* Contract: Permanent.
* Working pattern: Full‑time.
* Location: HMP Ashfield, Bristol, BS16 9QJ.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check and a check for any prior criminal convictions.
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