About this role
Job summary
Community Mental Health Team for Older People (CMHTOP), Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
As a Support Worker, you will be a valued member of the Community Mental Health Team for Older People, supporting older adults with a range of mental health conditions, including dementia, depression, anxiety, psychosis, and other functional or organic mental health illnesses.
You will work alongside nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and support staff to provide recovery-focused, person-centred care within the community. The role involves supporting individuals to maintain independence, improve wellbeing, and achieve their personal recovery goals while living in their own homes or residential settings.
Skills and Qualities Required Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Compassionate and person-centred approach to care. Ability to build positive therapeutic relationships. Good organisational and time-management skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding, and professional boundaries. Commitment to supporting older adults experiencing mental illness.
Main duties of the job
Support older adults with functional and organic mental health conditions within the community. Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, person-centred care. Assist clinicians in implementing care plans and recovery-focused interventions. Visit service users in their own homes, community settings, and inpatient units. Monitor mental health and wellbeing, reporting any concerns or changes to the clinical team. Develop therapeutic relationships with service users, carers, and families. Promote independence, social inclusion, and recovery. Liaise with GPs, community services, voluntary organisations, social care, and other agencies to provide holistic support. Contribute to effective multidisciplinary working and care coordination. Maintain accurate and timely records in line with Trust policies. Participate in risk assessment, safeguarding, and risk management processes. Work independently in the community while seeking support and guidance from the wider team when required. Work flexibly across the Wimborne, Purbeck, and, when necessary, Ferndown and West Moors localities. Attend supervision, training, and development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge.
About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost800,000 people.
We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.
Job description Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.
All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [email protected].
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Experience of working with older people or within mental health services Experience of working with multiple professionals
Desirable
Working with NHS setting
Driving Essential
Has full UK driving licence Has access to a car with work use insurance
Qualifications Essential
Qualification in health and social care- level 2 or 3 Qualifications relating to health or social care e.g. Dementia awareness
IT Skills Essential
Good written language skills Evidence of being able to use IT
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.
Employer details Employer name Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Address Oakley House
Oakley Lane
Wimborne
BH21 1SF
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)