Activity Support Worker – Sponsorship Available

Employer: South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust
Location: London, United Kingdom
Salary: £31,944 – £34,937 per year
Job Type: Full-time
Visa Sponsorship: Available
Closing Date: 09 March 2025

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the therapies team at the Shaftesbury Clinic, Forensic Inpatient Services. This role is part of a large, supportive multidisciplinary team consisting of Occupational Therapists, Clinical Exercise Therapists, Activity Support Workers, Technical Instructors, and an Education Tutor.

The Forensic Inpatient Service includes medium and low secure wards and provides mental health treatment under the Mental Health Act for men and women who are considered at risk of harming themselves or others. The goal is to provide a safe and secure environment while helping patients build skills to reintegrate into the community.

The therapies team works across four wards and collaborates closely with occupational therapy colleagues in the forensic outreach service. Occupational therapy interventions focus on education, creativity, vocation, exercise, and life skills, helping service users develop occupational identity and structure their daily routine.

Main Responsibilities

• Work with the Occupational Therapy team to develop and implement a therapeutic activity programme for patients with mental health needs, learning disabilities, and autism who have engaged in offending behavior.
• Deliver individual and group interventions to help patients maintain daily activity within a secure environment.
• Support service users in developing and maintaining skills that enable reintegration into the community.
• Collaborate with other Activity Support Workers to ensure access to a centralised programme of activities within the unit and on individual wards.
• Create and deliver group activities within a mental health or social care setting.
• Work flexibly, including contributing to weekend activities.

Person Specification

Essential Knowledge & Skills

• Ability to work independently in ward and community settings.
• Understanding of the needs and challenges of individuals with mental health problems.
• Group work skills and experience facilitating structured activities.
• Ability to teach practical skills to service users.
• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Desirable Skills

• Knowledge of Health & Safety and risk awareness procedures.

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualification in Health and Social Care, such as City & Guilds Level 2 or NVQ Level 2, or equivalent experience gained through in-service training.
• Evidence of continuing professional and personal development.

Desirable

• Advanced qualification in Health and Social Care (e.g., City & Guilds Final Certificate, NVQ Level 3 or 4, Diploma, or Degree).
• PTTLS or equivalent teacher training qualification.
• Psychology qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience working in health, social care, or teaching settings.
• Experience in report writing, form completion, and documentation.
• Experience in training others in technical or leisure skills.

Desirable

• Experience in facilitating therapeutic groups in a health or social care setting.
• Experience caring for someone with a mental health condition.

Additional Information

• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check Required.
• Certificate of Sponsorship Available for skilled worker applicants.
• Applicants must meet the UK criminal record certificate requirement for visa applications.