Activity Support Worker

Activity Support Worker – NHS Band 4 | London | Skilled Worker Sponsorship Considered

Job Overview

South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust is recruiting an Activity Support Worker to join its therapies team within the Forensic Inpatient Service.

This is a permanent, full-time Band 4 NHS position based at Springfield University Hospital, London. The successful applicant will support the delivery of therapeutic, vocational, educational and recreational activities designed to promote recovery, independence, wellbeing and social inclusion.

Skilled Worker sponsorship: Applications from candidates who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications, subject to the employer’s criteria and applicable immigration requirements.

Job Details

Certificate of Sponsorship / Skilled Worker Visa

Important: The advert specifically states that 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.

Applicants who require sponsorship can therefore apply. However, this should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every applicant will receive a Certificate of Sponsorship. Sponsorship remains subject to the employer’s assessment and applicable UK immigration requirements.

About the Role

As an Activity Support Worker, you will work as an integral member of the Occupational Therapy team.

You will help plan, deliver and evaluate activities that encourage service users to participate in meaningful occupations and develop practical, social, educational and vocational skills.

The role involves supporting:

• Therapeutic activities
• Recreational activities
• Vocational activities
• Educational activities
• Recovery-focused programmes
• Social and leisure activities
• Practical skills development
• Independence-building activities

You will work with individuals and groups across ward and community settings within a secure forensic environment.

About the Forensic Inpatient Service

The Forensic Inpatient Service provides specialist assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and recovery-focused care for adults with severe and enduring mental health needs.

The service includes medium-secure and low-secure inpatient wards, providing care under the Mental Health Act.

The multidisciplinary team includes:

• Medical professionals
• Nurses
• Psychologists
• Occupational Therapists
• Social Workers
• Peer Support Workers
• Other specialist professionals

The service aims to provide a safe, therapeutic and recovery-oriented environment where service users can develop the skills, confidence and resilience required for greater independence.

Main Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Deliver therapeutic, recreational, vocational and educational activities.
• Support service users to participate in meaningful therapeutic activities.
• Promote recovery, independence, wellbeing and social inclusion.
• Support access to cross-ward activity programmes.
• Co-facilitate recovery-focused courses.
• Work alongside peer trainers, Occupational Therapists and multidisciplinary team members.
• Help develop and deliver varied ward-based activity programmes.
• Adapt activities to meet individual recovery needs.
• Contribute to individual recovery goals through the My Shared Pathway process.
• Monitor service-user progress.
• Adapt interventions in collaboration with registered Occupational Therapists.
• Work independently within agreed treatment plans.
• Facilitate individual and group interventions delegated by a registered Occupational Therapist.
• Build professional relationships with service users.
• Respect individual strengths, diversity, culture, preferences and autonomy.
• Motivate and encourage participation.
• Maintain accurate electronic and written records.
• Follow Trust policies and information-governance requirements.
• Record and report activity and outcome data.
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement and audits.

Essential Qualifications

Applicants should have:

• A qualification relevant to health and social care, such as City & Guilds or Health & Social Care NVQ Level 2.
• Alternatively, equivalent skills acquired through in-service development or relevant experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional and personal development.

Desirable Qualifications

The following would be advantageous:

• Health and social care qualification above basic level.
• City & Guilds final certificate.
• NVQ Level 3 or 4.
• Diploma or degree.
• PTTLS or equivalent teacher-training qualification.
• Psychology qualification.

Essential Knowledge & Skills

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Knowledge of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Understanding of safeguarding.
• Knowledge of confidentiality and information governance.
• Understanding of health and safety requirements.
• Understanding of the needs and difficulties experienced by people with mental health problems.
• Understanding of professional conduct.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

Desirable Knowledge & Skills

The employer would also value:

• Knowledge of health and safety procedures.
• Risk-awareness knowledge.
• Understanding of recovery-focused approaches.
• Understanding of person-centred approaches.

Essential Experience

Candidates should have demonstrable experience of:

• Working in a health, social care or teaching setting.
• Report and letter writing.
• Completing forms.
• Training others in technical or leisure skills.

Desirable Experience

Additional experience in the following areas would be beneficial:

• Facilitating therapeutic groups in a health and social care environment.
• Caring for someone experiencing a mental health difficulty.

Skills That Could Strengthen Your Application

The role would suit candidates with:

• Strong communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to motivate others.
• Person-centred working skills.
• Recovery-focused practice.
• Teamworking abilities.
• Ability to work independently within agreed plans.
• Accurate record-keeping skills.
• Understanding of professional boundaries.
• Understanding of risk and safeguarding.
• Ability to work effectively in a secure environment.

Working for South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust

The Trust states that it is committed to providing high-quality mental health services and creating an inclusive workplace.

The organisation highlights:

• Flexible working.
• Career development.
• Inclusive working environments.
• Modernised mental health facilities.
• Opportunities to contribute to service development.
• Commitment to improving patient recovery and wellbeing.

The Trust has also stated that it is investing £120 million to upgrade and modernise its estate by 2027.

Important Application Information

Applicants should ensure that their application accurately reflects their own qualifications, experience, skills and motivation.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Applications

The employer states that applicants who use AI to support their application should briefly indicate how it was used within their supporting statement or application form.

Applicants are encouraged to complete their application in their own words. The employer warns that applications relying heavily on generic AI-generated content may fail to demonstrate the applicant’s individual experience and suitability.

Information included in the application may also be explored further during the selection process.

DBS Check

This position is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

Closing Date

30 August 2026

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date.

Job Location

Springfield University Hospital
15 Springfield Drive
London
SW17 0YF
United Kingdom

Employer

South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust

How to Apply

Interested candidates should review the full job requirements and submit their application through the official NHS Jobs vacancy.

NHS Job Reference: 294-FASP-8248176-EB

Closing date: 30 August 2026

Important Note for International Applicants

The employer explicitly states that applicants requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome to apply and will be considered alongside other applicants.

However, being eligible to apply does not necessarily mean that every applicant will receive sponsorship. Candidates should independently confirm that they meet the relevant Skilled Worker requirements before accepting an offer.

For the latest UK immigration information, consult the official UK Government guidance.

Employer Contact

Deputy Head of Therapies: Deborah Murphy
Email: Deborah.Murphy@swlstg.nhs.uk
Telephone: 020 3513 4364

Quick Summary

Activity Support Worker – NHS Band 4

Salary: £34,186 – £37,389 per year
Location: London
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time
Employer: South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust
Closing date: 30 August 2026
Sponsorship: Skilled Worker sponsorship applicants are welcome and will be considered
DBS: Required
Reference: 294-FASP-8248176-EB

If you have relevant health, social care or teaching experience and are interested in supporting recovery-focused activities in a specialist NHS forensic service, this could be an opportunity worth applying for.