Support Worker

We’re looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Mental Health Service in Slough.

£24,960.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week. Benefits include 25 days Annual Leave, pension schemes, staff discounts, healthcare and career progression.

Want to feel like you’re making a difference? You’ll feel at home here.

This role enables vulnerable people with mental health needs to maximise independent living skills and opportunities for social inclusion as wells as manage their tenancies. The purpose of this role is to support customers developing the skills needed to move on to other appropriate accommodation with lower levels of support and greater levels of independence.

This role involves early and late shifts as well as occasional weekend and bank holidays.

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.

What you’ll do:

Undertake key-working responsibilities for a caseload assigned by the Team Leader/ Manager
Undertake initial and continuous assessment of needs and potential risks and agree levels of support and actions
Create support/action plans for providing appropriate services based on the assessment and reflecting the services and resources available
Support customers to undertake all domestic tasks wherever possible, including practical assistance where they have not yet developed the skills, to ensure customers enjoy a high quality of accommodation
Support individuals to manage their prescribed medication
Develop and maintain links with all key agencies and service providers in the local community
Empower customers to ensure they receive the service and benefits they are entitled to
Carry out H&S and Fire Safety checks in individual rooms as well as communal areas of the building
Identify and report appropriately any Safeguarding concerns
Promptly report and follow up maintenance issues
Undertake all administrative work and keep accurate and comprehensive tenant/customer records to professional standards
Encourage and enable tenants to pay their rent and to ensure that rent accounts are managed effectively in conjunction with the Housing Management team
Ensure that referrals are chased proactively so that properties which can be used to house those in need are filled as efficiently as possible
Adhere to Look Ahead’s Policies and Procedures
Engage in learning and development activity to increase knowledge and skills
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 but is able to work independently
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
Takes the initiative to support colleagues if needed
Has good conflict management skills
Is capable of managing time effectively

For the full list please see our website.

What you’ll bring:

Essential:

NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent or experience in the social care/charity sector
Practical understanding of mental health conditions and how they impact the life of those affected by them
Excellent communication skills including a good command of spoken and written English in both formal and informal contexts
Demonstrable ability to build positive professional relationships
Experience of working as part of a team
Good command of MS Office, ability to use computer and learn new systems

Desirable:

Experience working in mental health
Experience working in supported living schemes
Experience dealing with challenging behaviours

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 120 services, providing support to around 6000 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, young people 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.