Activity Support Worker London, England
Job description
It is a very exciting time to be joining Turner Ward, Low Secure Learning Disability and Autism Ward. The post holder will be participating in the provision of a range of therapeutic, creative, diversional and recreational activities that aim to minimise the disability arising from severe mental illness and offending behaviours, and to enable patients to make the most of their lives by accessing ordinary activities that are permissible in a secure environment. Activity Support Workers are allocated wards they work on but also work across the forensic wards completing centralised groups for all forensic wards to access.
The post holder will work with the ward allocated Occupational Therapist and service users to develop therapeutic activity programmes, which will include group and individual sessions for service users. The activity programme will be developed and implemented with the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist and will complement the unit therapy programmes to support individuals to take an active part in their recovery.
Experience in forensic settings is desirable but not essential but you must have experience of working in a health & social care environment. You must have a proven ability to work effectively in a team, and have excellent communication and IT skills.
Please note applicants must demonstrate a general understanding of what an Forensic Services and Learning Disability/Autism ward entails.
Previous applicants need not apply.
To participate as a member of the Turner Ward team and occupational therapy department in the provision of a range of therapeutic and recreational to support the rehabilitation of service users experiencing mental illness and who have a history of offending. This programme will be developed and implemented with the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist.
To provide a programme of recreational, vocational and educational activities within the service and the community. To support the development of a balanced therapeutic ward-based programme. To support access to and engagement in the forensic recovery college. To facilitate recovery courses at the forensic recovery college. To instruct and guide individuals and groups of service users in the use of therapeutic activity. To work independently, facilitating group or individual work, planned with a registered Occupational Therapist.
The post holder will work holistically with Learning Disability and Autism service users to ensure excellent patient-centred care, aiming towards a safe discharge into the community. We would like staff who are passionate about Learning Disabilities and Autism as well as an interest or experience in mental health services and/ or forensic mental health.
The post holder will work across the inpatient forensic wards including the LDA ward. They will liaise closely with ward and clinical teams.
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’ - we aspire to be ‘outstanding’.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
- To provide a programme of recreational, vocational and educational activities
- To provide support and engage service users in therapeutic activities to promote recovery, independence and well-being
- To support the development of a balanced therapeutic ward based programme for service users at different stages of recovery
- To support access to and engagement in the forensic recovery college
- To facilitate recovery courses at the forensic recovery college alongside peer trainers and other team members
- To contribute to monitoring service users progress, taking account service users goals and aspirations and adjusting interventions accordingly
- To work independently, facilitating groups or individual work, planned with the OT.
- To form professional relationships with service users and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.
- To instruct and guide individuals and groups of service users in the use of therapeutic activity
- To report effectively to the team on service user performance and progress
- To provide relevant information, written and oral, for documents relating to service user progress
- We would like staff who are passionate about Learning Disabilities and Autism as well as an interest or experience in mental health services and/ or forensic mental health.
- To establish working relationships with outside agencies in order to facilitate service user engagement in community based vocational and educational services
- To correspond with external agencies on clinical matters
- To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust Standards
- To provide treatment in an environment where security and safety procedures must be strictly adhered to and ensure that legal restrictions associated with the mental health act are incorporated into activity provision
- To undertake relevant activities to meet training objectives identified with your supervisor.
- To keep a record of your training and development activities.
- To participate in clinical governance and quality improvement projects as allocated by the lead occupational therapist and ward teams
- To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
- To maintain stock and advise on resources necessary to carry out the job, possibly including the responsible management of petty cash.
- As part of a team, incorporate up-to-date techniques and ideas of positive practice into your programme
- To participate in audit and evaluation activities as agreed with your supervisor.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible
