Co-occurring Mental Health & Substance Use Support Worker
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East London NHS Foundation Trust Co-occurring Mental Health & Substance Use Support Worker
The closing date is 13 November 2026
Job summary
Band 4 CHIMES Support Worker - 12-month Fixed Term Contract or Secondment Opportunity
We are looking for an enthusiastic and compassionate Support Worker to join the City & Hackney Integrated Mental Health and Substance Use (CHIMES) pilot.
CHIMES is a partnership between East London NHS Foundation Trust and Turning Point, working to improve access to care for people experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use difficulties, particularly those who struggle to engage with services.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a small, innovative team working across organisational boundaries to improve outcomes for people with complex needs.
You will work alongside experienced mental health practitioners and Turning Point colleagues, managing an allocated engagement caseload, undertaking proactive outreach and providing practical and emotional support to help individuals access and remain engaged with treatment.
You will receive training and supervision to develop skills in motivational interviewing, harm reduction, brief psychosocial interventions and substance use assessment.
We are looking for someone who can build trusting relationships, work flexibly and independently, and bring a persistent, creative and non-judgemental approach to supporting people with complex needs.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will work within the CHIMES team, providing proactive outreach, engagement and practical support to individuals experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use difficulties.
Key responsibilities include:
-
Managing an allocated engagement caseload under the supervision of qualified CHIMES practitioners.
-
Undertaking outreach across inpatient and community settings, including following up individuals who have missed appointments or disengaged from services.
-
Building trusting relationships with individuals who may be reluctant to engage with treatment.
-
Providing practical and emotional support to overcome barriers to accessing services, including accompanying individuals to appointments.
-
Working with Turning Point colleagues to facilitate access to substance use treatment, including undertaking initial assessments following appropriate training.
-
Using motivational interviewing skills, brief psychosocial interventions and harm reduction approaches to support recovery.
-
Supporting continuity of care during transitions between inpatient, community mental health and substance use services.
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Working collaboratively with statutory and voluntary sector partners to coordinate support.
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Maintaining accurate records, contributing to care planning and escalating clinical or safeguarding concerns appropriately.
The role requires flexibility to work across inpatient, community and substance use services within City and Hackney.
About us
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
Details
Date posted
30 October 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 4
Salary
£34,186 to £37,389 a year per annum Inc HCA
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
363-CH8369370
Job locations
Vivienne Cohen House
230 Homerton High Street
London
E9 6AT
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
The CHIMES Support Worker will contribute to the delivery of integrated care for individuals experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use difficulties, with a particular focus on improving engagement, access to treatment and continuity of support.
Working under the guidance and supervision of qualified CHIMES practitioners, the postholder will take responsibility for an allocated engagement caseload, organising and prioritising contacts and delivering agreed interventions within their level of training and competence.
The postholder will undertake assertive and flexible outreach, including visits to inpatient wards, community settings and individuals' homes where appropriate. They will develop supportive relationships with service users, identify barriers to engagement and provide practical and emotional support to help individuals access and remain connected with appropriate services.
Following training with Turning Point's Referral and Assessment Team, the postholder will undertake initial substance use assessments within agreed protocols and supervision arrangements. This will include supporting assessment and referral processes in mental health inpatient and community settings, reducing the need for individuals to attend additional appointments before accessing substance use treatment.
The postholder will use motivational interviewing techniques, harm reduction approaches and agreed brief psychosocial interventions to support engagement, recovery and positive behaviour change.
They will contribute to care planning, monitor and report changes in mental state, substance use or social circumstances, and promptly escalate safeguarding or clinical risk concerns to qualified practitioners.
The role requires close collaboration with Turning Point, mental health services, primary care, social care, homelessness services and voluntary sector partners to promote coordinated care and effective transitions between services.
The postholder will maintain accurate and timely records, participate in multidisciplinary discussions, contribute to service activity monitoring and evaluation, and support quality improvement within the pilot.
They will be expected to work independently within agreed care plans and professional boundaries, make effective use of supervision and undertake relevant training to develop their skills and competencies.
All duties will be undertaken in accordance with Trust policies and procedures, including safeguarding, confidentiality, information governance, equality and diversity, lone working and health and safety.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The CHIMES Support Worker will contribute to the delivery of integrated care for individuals experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use difficulties, with a particular focus on improving engagement, access to treatment and continuity of support.
Working under the guidance and supervision of qualified CHIMES practitioners, the postholder will take responsibility for an allocated engagement caseload, organising and prioritising contacts and delivering agreed interventions within their level of training and competence.
The postholder will undertake assertive and flexible outreach, including visits to inpatient wards, community settings and individuals' homes where appropriate. They will develop supportive relationships with service users, identify barriers to engagement and provide practical and emotional support to help individuals access and remain connected with appropriate services.
Following training with Turning Point's Referral and Assessment Team, the postholder will undertake initial substance use assessments within agreed protocols and supervision arrangements. This will include supporting assessment and referral processes in mental health inpatient and community settings, reducing the need for individuals to attend additional appointments before accessing substance use treatment.
The postholder will use motivational interviewing techniques, harm reduction approaches and agreed brief psychosocial interventions to support engagement, recovery and positive behaviour change.
They will contribute to care planning, monitor and report changes in mental state, substance use or social circumstances, and promptly escalate safeguarding or clinical risk concerns to qualified practitioners.
The role requires close collaboration with Turning Point, mental health services, primary care, social care, homelessness services and voluntary sector partners to promote coordinated care and effective transitions between services.
The postholder will maintain accurate and timely records, participate in multidisciplinary discussions, contribute to service activity monitoring and evaluation, and support quality improvement within the pilot.
They will be expected to work independently within agreed care plans and professional boundaries, make effective use of supervision and undertake relevant training to develop their skills and competencies.
All duties will be undertaken in accordance with Trust policies and procedures, including safeguarding, confidentiality, information governance, equality and diversity, lone working and health and safety.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification, knowledge and experience, with additional relevant training or experience appropriate to a Band 4 support worker role.
- Evidence of relevant learning and development in mental health, substance use, health or social care
Desirable
- Training in motivational interviewing, brief interventions, harm reduction or trauma-informed approaches.
- Training or qualifications relating to substance use assessment or recovery work.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with adults experiencing mental health difficulties, substance use problems or other complex health and social care needs.
- Experience of developing and maintaining supportive working relationships with individuals who may be reluctant or find it difficult to engage with services.
- Experience of providing practical, emotional or psychosocial support to individuals in a health, social care or community setting.
- Experience of organising and managing an allocated workload or caseload, including planning contacts and following up agreed actions.
Desirable
- Experience of working in substance use services, community mental health services, inpatient mental health settings or homelessness services.
- Experience of undertaking initial assessments, supporting referrals or helping individuals access treatment pathways.
- Experience of delivering brief psychosocial interventions, motivational support or harm reduction advice.
Skills
Essential
- Good understanding of common mental health and substance use difficulties, their impact on individuals' lives and the challenges associated with co-occurring needs.
- Ability to gather and record information accurately, contribute to structured assessments and maintain clear, timely records using appropriate IT systems.
- Commitment to person-centred care, recovery, social inclusion and reducing inequalities in access to services.
Desirable
- Understanding of motivational interviewing principles and the ability to use appropriate techniques to support engagement, motivation and behaviour change.
Education
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification, knowledge and experience, with additional relevant training or experience appropriate to a Band 4 support worker role.
- Evidence of relevant learning and development in mental health, substance use, health or social care
Desirable
- Training in motivational interviewing, brief interventions, harm reduction or trauma-informed approaches.
- Training or qualifications relating to substance use assessment or recovery work.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with adults experiencing mental health difficulties, substance use problems or other complex health and social care needs.
- Experience of developing and maintaining supportive working relationships with individuals who may be reluctant or find it difficult to engage with services.
- Experience of providing practical, emotional or psychosocial support to individuals in a health, social care or community setting.
- Experience of organising and managing an allocated workload or caseload, including planning contacts and following up agreed actions.
Desirable
- Experience of working in substance use services, community mental health services, inpatient mental health settings or homelessness services.
- Experience of undertaking initial assessments, supporting referrals or helping individuals access treatment pathways.
- Experience of delivering brief psychosocial interventions, motivational support or harm reduction advice.
Skills
Essential
- Good understanding of common mental health and substance use difficulties, their impact on individuals' lives and the challenges associated with co-occurring needs.
- Ability to gather and record information accurately, contribute to structured assessments and maintain clear, timely records using appropriate IT systems.
- Commitment to person-centred care, recovery, social inclusion and reducing inequalities in access to services.
Desirable
- Understanding of motivational interviewing principles and the ability to use appropriate techniques to support engagement, motivation and behaviour change.
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).
Additional information
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).
Employer details
Employer name
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Vivienne Cohen House
230 Homerton High Street
London
E9 6AT
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.elft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Vivienne Cohen House
230 Homerton High Street
London
E9 6AT
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.elft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Clinical Lead
Lucy Harrison
02085251115
Details
Date posted
30 October 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 4
Salary
£34,186 to £37,389 a year per annum Inc HCA
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
363-CH8369370
Job locations
Vivienne Cohen House
230 Homerton High Street
London
E9 6AT
United Kingdom
Supporting documents
Privacy notice
East London NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)
Support links
© Crown copyright
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