Job Description

Main area

Senior Support Worker

Grade

Band 4

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Full time - 37.5 hours per week

Job ref

373-SMH2492

Site

Redesmere

Town

Chester

Salary

27,485 - 30,162 per annum

Salary period

Yearly

Closing

26/10/2025 23:59

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Support Worker to work within our First Response Services in Chester, being based at our site at the Countess of Chester. The successful applicant will be expected to work across Urgent Care Mental Health First Response Services, which will include Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Teams, Liaison Services, Street Triage Services, Liaison and Diversion Services and the Crisis Line.

Main duties of the job

The Senior Support Worker will be responsible for assisting qualified practitioners primarily within Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team and also across the wider Urgent Care Mental Health First Response Service.



The role will also include signposting and referring to appropriate services, and there is an expectation that the post holder will build strong links with 3rd sector and partner agencies to collaboratively support the needs of an individuals in crisis.

Working for our organisation

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.



We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.



Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.



As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.



All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.



Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please download a copy of the job description (see 'documents to download' section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.



At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.



CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust's Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.



Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust's Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trust's Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.



An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.



If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the 'essential' criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer 'YES' to the question: 'Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?'



Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.



The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.



Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of 16 per year applies.



New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.



Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.



Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!

Person specification

#

Qualifications

Essential criteria

NVQ level 3 in Health or social care, NVQ 3 Apprenticeship in health or social care- or equivalent qualification Evidence of training programme related to supporting people with mental health Trained in psychosocial interventions or willingness to undertake training

Desirable criteria

Honours degree in psychology Advanced IT and keyboard skills Related academic qualifications #

Knowledge & Expertise

Essential criteria

An understanding of confidentiality issues and how they relate to mental health policy and practise interventions Sound knowledge of current professional staff development and continuous service improvement issues particularly in context to adult mental health services Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and implementation of anti discriminatory practise Demonstrate an understanding of care plans including risk management planning and safety plans Demonstrate an understanding of supervision Demonstrate knowledge of the support workers role within CPA The ability to communicate complex and sensitive information where barriers to understanding may exist for example requiring empathy and reassurance The ability to make judgments involving a range of facts or situations requiring analysis and comparison of a range of options also skills for assessing individuals on the phone

Desirable criteria

An understanding of a psychosocial approach Knowledge of mental health legislation and policies Ability to use spreadsheets databases for example excel access Evidence of having published in either peer review or academic or professional journals #

Experience

Essential criteria

Demonstrate experience working in a mental health environment Previous experience working with adults and severe mental health Experience of partnership working with service users carers and other agencies

Desirable criteria

Experience of working within crisis settings Experience of working on support lines
Applicant requirements


This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Further details / informal visits contact

Name

Craig Russell

Job title

Team Manager

Email address

craig.russell6@nhs.net

Additional information

If you consider yourself Neurodivergent and need help to complete your application form, please contact

cwp.recruitment@nhs.net

or telephone 01244 393100