Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Support Worker

The closing date is 12 October 2025

Job summary

We have an exciting Fixed Term / Secondment opportunity for a Community Support worker post with the East Devon Older Persons Community Mental Health Team.

The Secondment / Fixed Term period will end on 7th December 2026

Under the supervision of the Community Team Manager, the post holder will work as part of the multi-disciplinary team to support the delivery of recovery care plans for clients with a range of mental health presentations who are currently an inpatient. This will involve supporting patients to go out, perhaps back home, and helping them to re-engage with their community.

The post holder will work intensively with people to support them facilitating hospital discharge.

The post holder will be expected to work to a clearly defined personal recovery plan outlining their role and the range of interventions required. This will include supporting patients off the ward to help facilitate their on-going recovery.

Main duties of the job

To communicate effectively with people using services taking into account any communication difficulties they may have and responding appropriately.

To participate in, support and maintain positive interventions and planned activity programmes to involve the quality of life and mental state of the person using services all of which will be focussed upon helping the individual re-engage with their community.

To offer emotional support advice, information and education where appropriate to people using services, carers and their family.

To foster and maintain good working relations with members of community teams and health and social care workers. Receiving and sharing information both from inpatient service staff and community staff.

Giving information and assistance to people using services and their carers so that they are aware of their rights, entitlements and the contents of their recovery care plan.

To communicate any changes in the persons presentation to inpatient colleagues and to the care co-ordinator.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Date posted

30 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

C9369-25-0773

Job locations

Haydon's Court

Marlpitts Lane

Honiton

Devon

EX14 2DE

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Awareness of safeguarding principles.
IT skills.
Previous employment/experience of working with people in a caring situation or previous experience working in a different role within mental health services.

Desirable

Knowledge of mental health and a basic understanding of physical health presentation.
Previous care experience with people who have Mental Health difficulties.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Demonstrate an ability to make and sustain professional therapeutic relationships.
Good communication and listening skills.
Ability to work with people in a group and individual basis.
Good written communication.
Able to work in a team effectively.
Demonstrate an ability and awareness to maintain personal boundaries.
Able to plan work, time management, completing records and recording observations etc.
To take leadership and direction from qualified staff.
To participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback to relevant parties.
Mobility throughout the area covered by the Trust.
To be self-motivated.
Able to work changing shift patterns as required.
To maintain confidentiality empathy, compassion and patience towards individuals with mental health illness.
To main professionalism at all times.
To be patient and tolerant in challenging situations.
An Enhanced DBS Check will be required for this role.

Desirable

Problem solving skills.

Qualifications

Essential

Basic Education.
If equivalent qualification is not already obtained, to complete QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care within 12 months of commencing employment.
To complete Care Certificate training within the first 3 months of joining unless already obtained.

Desirable

NVQ level 3, QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification.
Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Awareness of safeguarding principles.
IT skills.
Previous employment/experience of working with people in a caring situation or previous experience working in a different role within mental health services.

Desirable

Knowledge of mental health and a basic understanding of physical health presentation.
Previous care experience with people who have Mental Health difficulties.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Demonstrate an ability to make and sustain professional therapeutic relationships.
Good communication and listening skills.
Ability to work with people in a group and individual basis.
Good written communication.
Able to work in a team effectively.
Demonstrate an ability and awareness to maintain personal boundaries.
Able to plan work, time management, completing records and recording observations etc.
To take leadership and direction from qualified staff.
To participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback to relevant parties.
Mobility throughout the area covered by the Trust.
To be self-motivated.
Able to work changing shift patterns as required.
To maintain confidentiality empathy, compassion and patience towards individuals with mental health illness.
To main professionalism at all times.
To be patient and tolerant in challenging situations.
An Enhanced DBS Check will be required for this role.

Desirable

Problem solving skills.

Qualifications

Essential

Basic Education.
If equivalent qualification is not already obtained, to complete QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care within 12 months of commencing employment.
To complete Care Certificate training within the first 3 months of joining unless already obtained.

Desirable

NVQ level 3, QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification.
Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.

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.