Activity Support Worker

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Activity Support Worker to join the therapies team within the Forensic Inpatient Service at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust. Working as part of a well-established Occupational Therapy team, you will support the delivery of therapeutic, vocational, educational and recreational activities that promote recovery, independence, wellbeing and social inclusion for service users within a secure forensic environment.

The Forensic Inpatient Service provides specialist assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and recovery-focused care for adults with severe and enduring mental health needs who require care within secure forensic services. The service comprises medium secure and low secure inpatient wards, providing treatment and care under the Mental Health Act for men and women who have mental health difficulties and are assessed as posing a significant risk of harm to themselves or others.

The primary aim of the service is to provide a safe, therapeutic and recovery-oriented environment in which service users can develop the skills, confidence and resilience needed to progress towards greater independence and a meaningful life within the community. Care is delivered through a multidisciplinary team approach, incorporating medical, nursing, psychology, occupational therapy, social work, peer support and other specialist professions.

Main duties of the job

As an Activity Support Worker, you will work as an integral member of the Occupational Therapy team, supporting the planning, delivery and evaluation of therapeutic activity programmes that promote recovery, wellbeing, independence and social inclusion.

You will facilitate a range of therapeutic, vocational, educational and recreational activities within the ward and community settings, working with individuals and groups to support engagement in meaningful occupation. You will contribute to the delivery of recovery-focused programmes and support service users to develop practical, leisure, social, educational and vocational skills that enhance confidence and promote progression through their recovery journey.

The role requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to motivate and encourage participation, and a commitment to working in a person-centred and recovery-focused way. You will contribute to care planning processes, monitor and report on service user progress, maintain accurate records and work collaboratively with members of the multidisciplinary team and external partners.

You will also support service development, quality improvement initiatives and audits, helping to ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-informed and recovery-oriented care within a secure forensic environment.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To deliver a programme of therapeutic, recreational, vocational and educational activities within the service and community settings.

To support service users to engage in meaningful therapeutic activities that promote recovery, independence, well-being and social inclusion.

To support access to and engagement in the cross-ward activity programme.

To co-facilitate recovery-focused courses alongside peer trainers, Occupational Therapists and multidisciplinary team members.

To contribute to the development and delivery of a varied ward-based activity programme that meets the needs of service users at different stages of recovery.

To contribute to the implementation and review of individual recovery goals through the “my shared pathway” process, monitoring progress, and adapting interventions in collaboration with the registered Occupational Therapist.

To work independently, within agreed treatment plans, facilitating both group and individual interventions delegated by a registered Occupational Therapist.

To develop and maintain professional relationships with service users, recognising and respecting individual strengths, diversity, culture, preferences and autonomy.

To motivate, encourage and support individuals and groups to participate in therapeutic activities and recovery focussed interventions.

To maintain accurate and timely electronic and written records in accordance with Trust policies, professional standards and information governance requirements.

Ensure activity and outcome data are recorded and reported as required

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications

If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.

Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.

Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.