Senior Support Worker

Job Title

Senior Support Worker

Mental Health Accommodation Service, Spen Lane

37 hours per week, covering early, late, and sleep‑in duties; weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis. Permanent contract.

As a Senior Support Worker, you will work within the Mental Health Accommodation Service to support people transitioning from acute mental health hospital wards, prison, homelessness and other settings. You will aim to improve mental health and daily living skills, maintain tenancies, and facilitate integration into communities when moving on is planned. A trauma‑informed, strengths‑based approach and risk‑management planning are essential.

• Work flexibly and respond to emerging crisis situations.
• Have strong communication skills and the ability to manage risk.
• Collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ensure people receive person‑centred service and have goal‑focused care and risk‑management plans.
• Contribute to development of the service with other Care Delivery Services.
• Promote partnership working and implement council policies and procedures.
• Provide individual service plans (Care Plans) in line with Health and Social Care Act 2008 requirements.
• Assist with recruitment of staff, participation in local agency work, and appraisal and supervision processes.
• Represent the service at meetings and forums when the Deputy or Registered Manager are absent.
• Maintain staff rosters to ensure adequate coverage for the 24‑hour rota.
• Support risk‑management and health and safety practices in line with relevant legislation.
• Assist with documentation, record‑keeping, and action plans for staff development.
• Facilitate access to services for older people from Black and minority ethnic communities, ensuring culturally appropriate care.
• Carry out any other duties that support the mission of the service.

• NVQ2 (or equivalent) in Health and Social Care.
• Demonstrated skills in staff deployment, supervision, recruitment, and report writing.
• Knowledge of the Health and Safety Act 1974, the Mental Capacity Act, and relevant health‑care legislation.
• Experience in a rehabilitative or mental‑health setting with older people.

• NVQ3 (or equivalent) in supervisory management.
• Experience delivering in‑house training, basic business philosophy, and residential care for older people.
• Professional credibility and experience in supporting independence.

• Staff management and training skills.
• Ability to achieve NVQ3/4 (or equivalent).
• Experience with staff appraisal, supervision, and budget management.
• Strong communication and reporting abilities.
• Customer‑focused approach and inclusive practice.
• Understanding of older people’s needs, dementia care, and rehabilitative strategies.
• Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and related guidance.

• Commitment to Leeds City Council values and behaviours.
• Dedication to continuous improvement and the City’s health & wellbeing agenda.
• Awareness of equality, diversity, and anti‑discrimination policies.
• Adherence to health and safety policies.
• Willingness to participate in training and development.
• Flexibility and adaptability to change and support other services.
• Leadership skills and effective teamwork.
• Responsiveness to incidents of racism, bullying, or other abuse.
• Understanding of the flexibility protocol and ability to work within its parameters.

• Ability to represent the service at meetings.
• Capability to deliver in‑house training.
• Basic understanding of business philosophy and customer‑responsive services.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures, including women, carers, veterans, LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care‑experienced people.