Overview
Mental Health and Neurodiversity Support WorkerAbout the role
The Mental Health and Neurodiversity Support Worker will support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and whose mental health, trauma, autism, ADHD or other needs are affecting their wellbeing, ability to engage with services or ability to keep a tenancy.
The role will provide structured one-to-one support, helping people move from crisis or instability towards longer-term support from the right services.
This is not a clinical role and the worker will not diagnose or provide treatment. The role is about building trust, understanding what is getting in the way, helping people take practical steps forward and connecting them with appropriate longer-term support.
Main duties
- Provide regular one-to-one support to clients experiencing poor mental health, trauma or neurodivergence.
- Work with each client to understand their needs and agree a clear support plan.
- Help clients recognise triggers, manage emotions and develop practical coping strategies.
- Understand how autism, ADHD or other needs may affect communication, behaviour, daily life or engagement with services.
- Adapt communication and support to suit the individual.
- Identify the barriers stopping clients from accessing or staying engaged with support.
- Help clients move towards appropriate longer-term support from GPs, mental health services, counselling, autism and ADHD support services, social care and other relevant organisations.
- Make warm referrals and help clients understand what will happen next.
- Keep in contact with clients while they are waiting for support or moving between services.
- Advocate for clients where poor communication or misunderstanding is creating a barrier.
- Deliver structured sessions and small group work around mental health, wellbeing, emotions, coping strategies and neurodiversity.
- Support clients where poor mental health or neurodivergence is putting their accommodation at risk.
- Work closely with the Alcohol and Drug Harm Reduction Support Worker and the wider Partners for Change team.
- Keep clear, accurate and confidential case notes, support plans, referrals and outcomes.
- Build good working relationships with health services, housing teams and other partner organisations.
- Contribute to the safe and effective day-to-day running of the Ark’s day service.
- Follow safeguarding, confidentiality, health and safety and data protection procedures.
Skills and experience
- Experience of working directly with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness is essential.
- Experience of working in a day service, homelessness service or similar frontline setting is highly desirable.
- Experience of supporting people affected by poor mental health, trauma, autism, ADHD or multiple disadvantage.
- A good understanding of the barriers homeless people may face when trying to access mental health and other services.
- The ability to build trust with people who may have had poor experiences of services in the past.
- A calm, patient, compassionate and non-judgemental approach.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- The ability to adapt communication and support to meet different needs.
- The ability to manage a caseload, keep clear records and review progress.
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Relevant training or experience in mental health, neurodiversity, social care or support work is desirable.
- A willingness to complete further training as required.
Personal qualities
- Respectful and reliable.
- Able to remain calm in difficult situations.
- Comfortable working with people whose lives may be chaotic or unsettled.
- Able to set clear professional boundaries.
- Committed to helping people move towards greater stability and independence.
- Willing to work closely with colleagues and partner organisations while keeping the client at the centre of the support.
Pay: £29,400.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
