Support, Time and Recovery Worker - Assertive Outreach Team

Job summary

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Support Time and Recovery Worker (ST&R) to join our dynamic Community Mental Health Service (CMHS) team. In this role, you will work collaboratively with individuals experiencing mental health difficulties, supporting them both within the community and during their transition from inpatient services back into their own homes.

As part of a service that integrates primary and secondary care in partnership with the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, you will engage with a wide range of partners and play a key role in promoting recovery, independence, and wellbeing. This is a rewarding opportunity to be at the forefront of modern, community-based mental health care.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

• Deliver structured, evidence-based interventions to support a caseload of patients under professional supervision

• Provide practical and emotional support to service users in their homes and communities, including those recently discharged from inpatient care

• Liaise with a range of stakeholders including acute inpatient services, housing providers, primary care, and voluntary agencies

• Encourage and promote independent living through collaborative, recovery-focused care plans

• Participate in team reviews, training, supervision, and audits to support service development

• Support with early identification of relapse and report to relevant staff as appropriate

• Attend professional meetings and care planning discussions

• Assist patients in accessing services such as benefits, accommodation and advocacy

• Promote safety by adhering to the Trust's lone working and safeguarding policies

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job description

As a key member of the multidisciplinary team, you will be involved in delivering person-centred care through structured activities such as behavioural activation, anxiety management and emotional regulation strategies. You will work alongside registered professionals to develop and implement care plans, and your role will include direct patient engagement, advocacy, and facilitating links to community resources.

You will be expected to document your work via electronic patient records, participate in internal and external service evaluations, and support the wider service through ongoing learning and improvement initiatives. A flexible approach is essential, as the role may require working unsocial hours including evenings and weekends as part of a rota.

You will also:

• Promote dignity, respect, and autonomy for all service users

• Support patients with daily living tasks where required (this may occasionally include aspects of personal care)

• Adhere to information governance and data protection requirements

• Work in environments that may include emotionally challenging situations and unpredictable behaviours

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Health and Social Care or equivalent, or willing to undertake full training to achieve this standard

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with people e.g in a caring situation, dealing with the general public.
• Experience of working in community settings.
• Experience of the assessment process and positive risk management.

Desirable

• Previous experience in caring for people with a severe mental illness.

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Evidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skills
• Able to work across a 24/7 shift pattern as required including weekends and nights.
• Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service.

Desirable

• How to deal sensitively with distress, disturbance and unpredictability.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety
• Knowledge of moving and handling.

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.

For help with your application, contact:

Laura Scott

laura.scott@somersetft.nhs.uk

07385112425