Senior Support Worker
Salary £ 29870
Ballenden House, Edinburgh
Vacancy listed 12/09/2025
Application deadline 13/10/2025
Details
Location: Thrive Early Access Mental Health Service, Ballenden House, Edinburgh
Salary: £29,870 pro rata (level 1 point 6)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 35 per week
Directorate: Edinburgh Services
Reports To: Locality Manager

Change Mental Health is a leading national mental health charity whose vision is a future where no one needs to face mental illness alone. We have been supporting people with mental illness for over 50 years across Scotland. Our mission is to provide transformational support where everyone has access to the support they need, when they need it and in a way that works for them.

About the service:

The Senior Support Workers in the Thrive Early Access Mental Health Service undertake short-term focused work with adults of all ages and from a wide range of backgrounds. They help people to identify what is important to them and the steps they can take to manage their mental health and wellbeing. The workers connect people into community services, clinical treatment options and self-management resources as appropriate.  

Along with mental health nurses and other members of the multi-disciplinary teams, the Senior Support Workers staff the Open Access drop-ins that take place within the locality.  They work closely with colleagues within health and social care, the wider third sector, and with community organisations across the city, ensuring that the service is accessible to and meets the needs of all sections of the community.

Key responsibilities:

·        Assess the mental health and wellbeing of people who attend Open Access
·        Ensure that any risks identified are escalated in line with NHS Lothian protocols 
·        Manage a caseload, working in conjunction with the nurses, occupational therapists and social workers in the team when needed
·        Devise asset-based plans that focus on personal outcomes 
·        Assist people to utilise community services and self-help resources
·        Facilitate Decider Skills and other psycho-educational groups
·        Complete ongoing records on TRAK in line with NHS Lothian timescales
·        Attend team Huddles, business meetings and locality wide Learning Labs
·        Follow all operational processes and procedures
·        Develop positive working relationships with statutory colleagues and CMH staff and contribute to effective team working 
·        Ensure all Health and Safety standards are maintained, including lone working and personal safety procedures

Essential Criteria:

·        An appropriate professional qualification (at least SVQ Level 3)
·        At least two years’ experience of working in the mental health field
·        Experience of enabling people to identify and achieve their personal goals
·        Experience of assessing risk and devising collaborative safety plans 
·        Experience of devising asset-based support plans 
·        A track record of managing own caseload and completing administrative tasks with minimal supervision
·        Knowledge of theories and good practice around early intervention, asset-based approaches and person-centred working
·        An awareness of support services in the city and of mental health self-help resources 
·        Able to work in a trauma-informed way and to apply trauma-skilled approaches
·        Able to work with a high level of autonomy and to use an analytical and problem-solving approach 
·        Committed to continuous professional development and willing to undertake appropriate training and developmental opportunities
·        A high level of competency with IT 
·        Able to effectively manage their own mental health and wellbeing  

Successful applicants for this post will require a PVG Membership (this will be arranged by Change Mental Health before you start your role) 

General Duties 

·        Ensure all records and client data are managed in line with NHS Lothian’s Data Management and Information Governance policies  
·        Comply with all legal and regulatory requirements such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
·        To act in accordance with Safeguarding procedures 
·        To follow all lone working and team safety procedures
·        To participate in regular supervision, appraisals, team and business meetings 
·        To undertake induction training and any other training appropriate to the role
·        To work in accordance with the charity’s policies and the local operating procedures of Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership
·        To represent and promote Change Mental Health within the Thrive Early Access Mental Health Service and at external meetings and forums as required

This job profile and list of duties is not exhaustive and serves only to highlight the main requirements. The line manager may stipulate other reasonable requirements and projects commensurate with the general profile and grade of the post.
 
All successful candidates will require a PVG Membership. Please be aware that it is classed as an offence if you apply for this role and are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children or vulnerable adults.

Application notes:

To apply please submit your CV and Cover Letter through the online BreatheHR portal.

Please note all applications must be received by midday on Monday 13th October. Interviews are due to be held on Wednesday 22nd October.

We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds.

If you consider yourself to have a disability, please inform us of any arrangements that we may make to the interview process.

We reserve the right to close this advert earlier or later than stated. Please don’t delay your application to avoid any disappointment.

If you have any questions or would like an informal chat, please contact Emma Young at emma.young@changemh.org

Benefits

24/7 access to an award-winning Employee Assistance Programme providing free legal, financial, and medical advice as well as support with life’s challenges.
A 35-hour working week, enhanced sick pay & season ticket loan.
A great work life balance with flexible and blended working environment.
Access to purchase a Blue Light Discount Card
Cycle to Work Scheme
Enhanced sick pay and leave entitlements.
Generous 37 days’ holiday.
Paid Mental Wellbeing days.
Professional development including funded opportunities

apply