Support Worker
We're looking for a kind, compassionate, and resilient Support Worker to join our Mental Health service in Tower Hamlets.
£28,808.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.
Want to feel like you're making a difference? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.
Our benefits include:
* Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
* Free DBS
* Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
* Fully paid induction programme and further training
* ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
* Healthcare Cashplan through our partner Healthshield
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
* Online wellbeing resources
* A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
* Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.
You will be based in Tower Hamlets in our mental health complex needs service. The service provides 24-hr supported housing for people with historic mental health history and complex needs, including problematic substance use. You will work as part of a team of Support Workers to enable people with mental health and complex needs to manage their tenancies and live independent lives of their choosing in the community and move towards greater independence by providing a flexible and individually tailored support package. The environment will be challenging at times, and no two days will be alike therefore, you will need of to have a calm and flexible approach to your work with a can-do attitude.
This shift pattern for this role involves early shifts 8.00am - 4.00pm and late shifts 2.00pm - 10pm on a rolling rota, including evenings, some weekends and BHs.
What you'll do:
* Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
* Working proactively with other members of the team to handle the service caseload and administrative responsibilities
* Conducting key work sessions as required, that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
* Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking'
* Providing support with daily living activities, including practical assistance to support customers to independent living e.g. budgeting, cooking, establishing a night time routine
* Supporting customers to maintain a healthy environment and where appropriate assisting them to clean their accommodation and maintain good personal hygiene
* Providing customers with emotional support, encouraging recovery focused activities, prompting with medication, liaising with mental health teams to promote stable mental health.
* Participating in the provision of a wide range of in-house activities, to encourage the development of new skills, building self confidence and reducing social isolation.
* Assisting in the recording and reporting of customer incidents
* Managing customer referrals, completing assessments and obtaining and maintaining all relevant paperwork
* Developing productive relationships with partner organisations to improve service outcomes
* Adhering to lone working protocols and maintaining high levels of awareness in relation to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues
* Involving customers in the design, development and delivery of the service
* Encouraging and enabling tenants to pay their rent and avoid personal debt
* Ensuring Look Ahead Health and Safety policies and local protocols are adhered to at all times e.g. fire risk assessments, fire alarm checks etc
* Taking on shift leading responsibilities by coordinating and leading shifts in the absence of a manager
* Being responsible for the handover of key information between shifts
* Adhering to all other Look Ahead's policies and procedures
* Engaging in learning and development activity to increase knowledge and skills
* Maintain records in accordance with Look Ahead's Information Management policies, procedures and guidance under the direction of the Support Worker's manager(s). Keep a clear desk at all times and assist with archiving and secure disposal of records when required.
* Undertaking any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as assigned by the Team Leader/Manager Undertake any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as may be reasonably assigned
This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead
About you:
* Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
* Approachable and open behaviour
* Prefers working as part of a group or team
* Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
* Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
* Flexible
* Open to feedback and self development
* Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
* Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
* Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
* Is essentially customer-focused
* Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
* Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviours
What you'll bring:
Essential:
* Up to NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent or experience in the social care/charity sector
Desirable:
* Experience working in the mental health field
About us:
Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.
We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:
* We focus on Excellence and innovation.
* We are Caring and Compassionate.
* We are Inclusive and Trusted.
* We work in Partnership and are One-Team.
Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.
If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.