Job summary
- Main area
- Mental Health
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time - 30 hours per week (1 long day shift midday to midnight)
- Job ref
- 354-AB-20901-B
- Employer
- Sussex Partnership NHS FoundationTrust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Mlilview Hospital
- Town
- Brighton and Hove
- Salary
- £24,625 - £25,674 pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 12/05/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Rapid Response Community Support Worker
NHS AfC: Band 3
Come and join us
We're looking for people who share our values (compassion, accountability and optimism) to help us provide high quality care to the patients, carers, families and local communities we serve. We specialise in providing NHS mental health and learning disability services.
So what can we offer you in return?
We're an organisation which puts people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. We'll help you learn, acquire new skills and gain further experience to support your career development. And we'll provide the opportunity for you to bring your fresh ideas to work about how we can do things differently and continue improving.
You will also be joining a health and care system committed to working together to do the best we can for the communities we serve. Above all, at Sussex Partnership you'll have the chance to make a difference to the lives of the patients, carers and families across our communities.
As a Trust we are committed in making a difference. Your development is important to us, so don't forget to ask us during interview what opportunities we can offer. We can offer fully funded lifelong learning opportunities such as an apprenticeship from GCSE to Masters level.
If you like the sound of that, then come and join our team.
Job overview
Rapid Response is a new service, based on the success of Blue Light Triage team who successfully worked with both police and ambulance colleagues to meet the needs of those in mental health crisis which, with very few exceptions has been in their own homes, therefore avoiding a conveyance to A&E and the use of S136 within its operational hours.
Due to the development of this service we are looking for community support workers who will be based in either Eastbourne, Crawley, Brighton or Worthing. The role is to assist the mental health professionals to carry out their duties and the functions of the team. The mental health professionals role is to carry out person centred interventions and assessments and develop care plans that can address a mental health crisis, including a self-defined crisis. This could be on the telephone, virtually or 'at scene'.
In order to be a successful senior member in our team you will be:
- Experience working in mental health services or a care setting and willing to enhance your skills
- Knowledgeable of factors which can impact on safety and service user experience
- Knowledgeable of factors which can impact on safety for emergency service colleagues.
Shifts are long days and evenings over 7 days. The shift requirements ensure this post has generous enhancements attached to it.
Main duties of the job
The Rapid Response will operate every day of the week between midday and midnight, with staff working a long day shift. Rapid Response Teams will also work in partnership with Blue Light Line who provide a single point of access to Paramedics and Police giving information and clinical advice to ensure that patients achieve the best outcomes and reduce the need for conveyance to A&E and alternatives to the use of S136
The role of the support worker will be to drive the mental health professional to the location required if they are required 'on scene'. To be able to provide basic first aid if required and assist the mental health professional by providing support to carers. Prior to, and following an intervention support the mental health professional with administrative tasks.
Main duties of the job
- To be an active team member supporting the Rapid Response Practitioner to fulfil the requirements of their role.
- To drive the mental health vehicle provided to the location of the person in crisis
- To be confident in communicating with Police and Paramedics and to accurately record messages and conversations.
- Support carers and loved ones at scene if required, enabling the Rapid Response practitioner to focus on their assessment/intervention.
- To assist the Rapid Response Practitioner with administrative tasks including data entry, care note requirements and clinical entries.
- To contribute to improving access to supportive services for persons in mental health crisis
Working for our organisation
We provide mental health and learning disability care for children, young people and adults across Sussex and for children and young people in Hampshire.
Working in Sussex:
· Travel easily between coast and countryside, with a blend of picturesque villages and seaside towns
· Embrace the city life with great access to visit Brighton and London
· With easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow and excellent railway links across the UK there is plenty of opportunity for adventure
We’d love you to join our organisation that is rated ‘good’ overall and ‘outstanding’ for caring by the CQC. Our staff agree, in our recent staff survey 82% told us that they recognise that care for patients is our top priority.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see job description for full details
To hold a full driving license and feel competent and willing to drive across the Trust site in the mental health vehicle provided.
Provide support to the Rapid Response practitioners enabling them to fulfil their roles and responsibilities.
Work in partnership with patients, families and carers to achieve positive outcomes which promote their strengths and independence.
Work collaboratively with emergency service colleagues and other teams and services.
Person specification
written and verbal
Essential criteria
- To hold a full driving license and feel competent and be willing to drive across the Trust in a pool car.
- Experience of working with people with mental health needs or difficulties in a paid or voluntary capacity
- Experience working as part of a team, and the ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with external teams and colleagues
- Have excellent verbal and written communication skills, relating information to people on routine and operational matters
- Ability to deal with conflicting demands and prioritise workload with support
- Assist in maintaining own and others’ health, safety and security
- Monitor and maintain physical and/or financial resources for a work area
- Ability to use basic computer skills to collect, collate and record information and data.
- Ability to deal with a range of clients presenting with mental health difficulties, their supporters and the clinical team on a daily basis
- Ability to work flexibly and adapt to each person as appropriate to their needs, communicating in a sensitive and reassuring manner.
- Demonstrate support for Trust values, working in a recovery orientated way, promoting social inclusion and challenging stigma
- Provide and receive confidential client information of a sensitive and often complex nature
- Assist in routine assessment tasks related to individual’s wellbeing and recovery.
- The ability to relay information to mental health professional with any concerns or disclosures post an intervention at scene or on the telephone any concerns or disclosures as they may require further action.
- Liaise with other teams and services including external agencies to signpost those in mental health crisis to community services.
- Ability to be creative in finding solutions
- Ability to deal directly with distressing or emotional circumstances when they arise.
- Fit to undertake any duties related to the role. including interventions for the management of violence and aggression
- Ability to work in a variety of settings, such as a team base, people's homes and in a public place, which may include occasional unpleasant working conditions
- Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required
Desirable criteria
- Health care or relevant NVQ Level 3
- Basic First Aid knowledge
- Lived experience of mental health issues/difficulties
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Tim Hewett
- Job title
- Urgent Care Service Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07922590786
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