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.
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.
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 almost 800,000 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.
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 candidate’s 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] .
