Support Worker with Sponsorship Available

Employer: East London NHS Foundation Trust
Location: London, United Kingdom
Salary: £26,530 – £29,114 per year
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Closing Date: 21 March 2025

Job Summary

East London NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Support Worker to join an innovative trauma-informed team within the Inclusion and Involvement Service (I&I). This service is a part of the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway, providing support to men and women with complex psychological needs and serious offending histories.

The role focuses on co-production, social inclusion, and rehabilitation, working with service users to help them establish safe and stable lives in the community. The service was developed in partnership with Probation Service London (PSL) and follows desistance principles to reduce reoffending.

Main Responsibilities

• Support the development and management of up to four social inclusion hubs across London.
• Provide direct support to service users with significant psychological difficulties.
• Assist service users in engaging with social, recreational, and occupational activities.
• Facilitate group and individual interventions under supervision, using desistance principles.
• Support service users in achieving personal development goals and maintaining stable community lives.
• Ensure all activities align with psychological formulations and risk management strategies.
• Identify and manage risk factors in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
• Work in partnership with external agencies, including third-sector organisations and criminal justice services.
• Promote social inclusion and provide guidance on community reintegration.
• Safeguard the welfare of adults and children, identifying potential concerns and escalating where necessary.

Communication Responsibilities

• Build positive working relationships using warmth and empathy to empower service users.
• Adapt communication strategies to overcome barriers to understanding.
• Maintain accurate records of service user interactions and progress.
• Promote the Hub projects as effective desistance-focused interventions within the OPD Pathway.
• Work in partnership with Probation Service London, NHS, and community organisations.
• Attend team meetings, service development discussions, and clinical reviews.

Leadership & Management Responsibilities

• Support the Social Inclusion Lead in the daily management of the Hubs.
• Assist with facility setup, activity coordination, and service user engagement.
• Monitor and manage physical resources and supplies, including ordering materials and petty cash management.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, including fire safety and infection control.

IT Responsibilities

• Maintain electronic clinical records using NHS systems.
• Use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) for report writing and documentation.

Research & Service Evaluation

• Contribute to research projects and service evaluations in line with local priorities.
• Participate in audit activities under the guidance of senior staff.

Essential Requirements

Skills & Experience:

• Knowledge or experience in psychologically-informed support for individuals with complex needs (e.g., personality disorders, offending histories).
• Understanding of recovery, rehabilitation, and social inclusion principles.
• Ability to engage service users in structured interventions and community activities.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to work in diverse inner-city environments.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience working with ethnically diverse populations.
• Experience working in partnership with third-sector or criminal justice organisations.

Additional Information

• Disclosure & Barring Service Check: Required for this role.
• Certificate of Sponsorship: Available for Skilled Worker visa applicants.
• Criminal Record Checks: Required for applicants who have lived in other countries for 12+ months in the past 10 years.