Co-occurring Mental Health & Substance Use Support Worker

East London NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and compassionate Support Worker to join the City & Hackney Integrated Mental Health and Substance Use (CHIMES) pilot.

The successful candidate will work alongside experienced mental health practitioners and Turning Point colleagues, managing an allocated engagement caseload, undertaking proactive outreach and providing practical and emotional support to help individuals access and remain engaged with treatment.

The role requires flexibility to work across inpatient, community and substance use services within City and Hackney.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing an allocated engagement caseload under the supervision of qualified CHIMES practitioners.
• Undertaking outreach across inpatient and community settings, including following up individuals who have missed appointments or disengaged from services.
• Building trusting relationships with individuals who may be reluctant to engage with treatment.
• Providing practical and emotional support to overcome barriers to accessing services, including accompanying individuals to appointments.
• Working with Turning Point colleagues to facilitate access to substance use treatment, including undertaking initial assessments following appropriate training.
• Using motivational interviewing skills, brief psychosocial interventions and harm reduction approaches to support recovery.
• Supporting continuity of care during transitions between inpatient, community mental health and substance use services.
• Working collaboratively with statutory and voluntary sector partners to coordinate support.
• Maintaining accurate records, contributing to care planning and escalating clinical or safeguarding concerns appropriately.

Requirements:

• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification, knowledge and experience, with additional relevant training or experience appropriate to a Band 4 support worker role.
• Evidence of relevant learning and development in mental health, substance use, health or social care.
• Experience of working with adults experiencing mental health difficulties, substance use problems or other complex health and social care needs.
• Experience of developing and maintaining supportive working relationships with individuals who may be reluctant or find it difficult to engage with services.
• Good understanding of common mental health and substance use difficulties, their impact on individuals' lives and the challenges associated with co-occurring needs.
• Ability to gather and record information accurately, contribute to structured assessments and maintain clear, timely records using appropriate IT systems.

Desirable:

• Training in motivational interviewing, brief interventions, harm reduction or trauma-informed approaches.
• Training or qualifications relating to substance use assessment or recovery work.
• Experience of working in substance use services, community mental health services, inpatient mental health settings or homelessness services.
• Understanding of motivational interviewing principles and the ability to use appropriate techniques to support engagement, motivation and behaviour change.