Job summary
We are recruiting 3 full time Band 4 Senior Support Workers to join the new Enhanced MHIST Function, supporting people who may attract a diagnosis of "personality disorder", are not yet ready for therapy, and who frequently present in crisis or struggle to build trusting relationships with services.
You will play a key role in delivering relational, trauma-informed support to individuals with complex emotional needs, helping them to feel safe, connected, and engaged with services. Whilst each post will hopefully be aligned with a locality, there will still be a requirement to travel across the CWP patch to meet the needs of the pathway. There is a potential for the service to transition to a 7-day model in the future.
Main duties of the job
Whilst the role sits under a traditional support worker job description, of which you can see more in the provided JD, it's important to hold in mind specific duties.
You will support a small caseload and be expected to build trusting, consistent relationships with people who experience repeated crises or difficulties engaging with services. This will be through providing compassionate and trauma informed support.
You will work closely and collaboratively with MDT colleagues, attending reflective practice and contributing to psychologically informed discussions. With the wider system you will encourage non-stigmatising, recovery-focused approaches to "personality disorder" and complex emotional needs.
About You
- Experience working in mental health, or a related support role and have an interest in psychologically informed approaches.
- Skills in building relationships with people who experience emotional distress, trauma, or relational difficulties.
- Able to provide practical and emotional support in a calm, compassionate, and consistent manner.
- Confident working as part of an MDT and following guidance from qualified clinicians.
- Committed to trauma-informed practice, improving engagement, and supporting individuals to reduce crisis presentations.
What We Offer
A supportive, psychologically minded MDT with opportunities to contribute to shaping a new enhanced function. Regular supervision and access to role-relevant CPD. A compassionate, reflective, recovery-focused culture.
Details
- Date posted: 02 November 2026
- Closing date: 16 November 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 4
- Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: 373-SMH2779
- Job locations: Bowmere Hospital, Countess of Chester Health Park, Chester, CH2 1BQ, United Kingdom
Job description
Job 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 Trusts 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 Trusts 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 Trusts 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: [email protected] 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
- Recent relevant experience of working to support and integrate people with mental health issues towards recovery
- Experience of working within a Mental Health community setting, rehab setting or equivalent.
- NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or Equivalent
Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
- Understanding of and commitment to principles of the Community Rehabilitation and Recovery Models
- Experience of producing and leading teaching and learning in presentational sessions/in groups.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with clients in Recovery from serious Mental Health issues
Trust Values
Essential
- Demonstrate alignment with Trust Values (6 C's: Commitment, Communication, Care, Courage, Compassion, Competency)
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 (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
About us
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.
Employer details
- Employer name: Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Address: Bowmere Hospital, Countess of Chester Health Park, Chester, CH2 1BQ, United Kingdom
- Employer's website: https://www.cwp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/