Job summary
As part of the wider Older Peoples Mental Health Services an opportunity has arisen for a mental health support worker to join the Older Peoples Community Mental Health Memory Assessment Service.

This award winning team is based at The Meadows within the borough of Stockport. The service provides a resource into a variety of settings to support a range of disciplines from health, social care and the third sector in order provide mental health liaison to meet the mental health needs of patients.

The team is looking to recruit a support worker with experience working in Mental Health Services. We will also consider applicants with limited mental health experience but who are willing to develop skills and participate in learning because of a special interest in the area of mental health.

Following a re-organisation of community and crisis services in the Stockport borough an exciting opportunity has arisen for Mental Health Support workers to work alongside qualified Mental Health Nurses to support the crisis tier in providing collaborative care for individuals who have developed or who are experiencing an exacerbation of mental health symptoms as a result of physical health or social change.

The role includes providing timely mental health assessment, care planning and working effectively within a multi-agency team to prevent acute hospital admission and to ensure the individual's mental health needs are supported effectively.

Main duties of the job
You will work under the direction of the team but be able to work without direct supervision in implementing plans of care.

You will provide direct care to service users in order to support individuals who are in crisis as a result of physical health or social status change which is directly or indirectly impacting on the individual's mental health.

The role also includes communicating and supporting wider health and social care professional groups to model effective approaches to care when supporting individuals with mental health needs.

About us
We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.

Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We're really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we're a great place to work.

All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff.
• Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance
• Access to Continued Professional Development
• Involvement in improvement and research activities
• Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service
• Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel

Job responsibilities

• Work within the Memory Service and offer support to the clinical team, including supporting the diagnosis clinics and ensuring a point of contact following diagnosis.
• Provide a link between the Memory clinic, patient and other external providers to ensure consistent care delivery and assist in accessing services as needed, making referrals as required.
• Contribute to the understanding and knowledge the patient and carer have around dementia to assist them following diagnosis.
• Attend and participate in team meetings and group clinical supervision as well as individual managerial supervision.
• Support the MH practitioners within the Memory Clinic process and with cognitive assessments such as Addenbrooke's.
• Support the development of the post diagnosis pathway and facilitate group sessions as required.
• Support patients and carers in clinic following diagnosis and assist in care planning and signposting as needed.
• Work within the limitations of the post, seeking help and advice when unsure or where there is any unmet need or risk, and report concerns to a qualified member of staff or line manager.
• Offer appropriate advice to carers and patients to reduce distress and promote wellness in living with dementia.
• Contribute to the development of the Memory assessment and post diagnosis pathway.
• Increase understanding of dementia and MCI, and receive training on areas within the limitations of the role such as CST and treatments.
• Assist in the organisation and suitability of post diagnosis groups and contribute to the post diagnosis sessions offered by the memory clinic.
• Contribute to discharge planning.
• Use Patient EPR such as PARIS and document clear and concise case notes.
• Assist in audits or data collection directly related to MAS.
• Develop and review resources for patients and carers that can be given at the point of diagnosis.
• Show a high level of competency in communication and autonomy.
• Work collaboratively with the wider MDT.
• Adhere to Trust and Borough policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Attend mandatory training sessions and participate in regular monthly supervision, clinical supervision and annual appraisals.

Person specification
Essential

• GCSE in Maths and English
• Level 2 qualification or equivalent plus further training and/or experience to Level 3
• Able to demonstrate previous experience working with older people with mental health problems, especially dementia
• Able to demonstrate literacy and numeracy skills sufficient to complete paperwork relating to delivery and collection of patient notes
• Comprehension skills sufficient to read and understand written instruction
• Understanding of the problems associated with old age
• Able to work to deadlines and use initiative to resolve problems and prioritise workload
• Able to work alone with clients and carers and communicate back to the MDT and concerns
• Flexible approach to changes in workload, duties and priorities
• Basic understanding of dementia, with good interpersonal and observational skills
• Good communicator with ability to develop rapport with people
• Ability to work within a team and flexibility
• Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs
• Willing to carry out all duties in accordance with the Trust's Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies
• Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure

Desirable

• Dementia training
• CST training
• Previous NHS experience
• Memory Clinic experience
• Working with EPR such as PARIS
• Knowledge of Trust's Policy and Procedures
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical and managerial supervision
• Able to demonstrate ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to plan, organise and facilitate groups
• Understanding of services for people with dementia
• Working knowledge of a Memory clinic and understanding of cognitive screening tools

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Closing date: 13 November 2026
Contact: Jenny Day, Clinical Lead, jenniferday1@nhs.net
Reference number: 311-S776-26-A