Mental Health Nursing in Supported Living: Roles & Responsibilities

Mental health nursing is a vital component of the UK’s healthcare system, focusing on supporting individuals with mental health conditions to achieve optimal well-being and independence. Registered Mental Health Nurses (RMNs) play a key role in various settings, including supported living services, where their expertise significantly enhances patient care.

However, according to a 2019 article from nurses.co.uk, 34,000 of the 290,000 nurses registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) are Registered Mental Health Nurses; only 12%. While the total number of NMC nurses in England has climbed to approximately 645,000 as of 2024, and the number of Mental Health Nurses has grown by 2.5% from 2023, there’s still a worrying shortage of mental health staff in England and the UK. This highlights not only the critical need for compassionate, skilled people to step into the role of a mental health nurse but also the urgent need for leading healthcare organisations such as supported living services to recognise and champion the work of those already in the field, or they risk losing them.

The Role of Mental Health Nurses in Supported Living Services

Supported living services are designed to help individuals with mental health challenges live independently while receiving necessary support. In this context, RMNs are responsible for:

Comprehensive Assessments: Conducting detailed evaluations of a person’s mental and physical health to shape personalised care plans.

Care Planning and Implementation: Developing and executing tailored care strategies that address the unique needs of the individual.

Medication Management: Overseeing the administration of medications, monitoring for side effects, and ensuring adherence to treatment regimes.

Therapeutic Interventions: Providing evidence-based psychological therapies to support individuals in managing their mental health conditions.

Crisis Intervention: Responding to emergencies by implementing de-escalation techniques and ensuring the safety of all people in supportive living.

Health Education: Educating those who need support about their conditions, treatment options, and strategies to maintain and improve their mental health.

Differences between Mental Health Nurses and Support Workers

While both RMNs and support workers are integral to supported living services, their roles differ in several key areas:

Scope of Practice: RMNs possess specialised clinical training that enables them to perform comprehensive health assessments, administer medications, and provide therapeutic interventions. Support workers, on the other hand, assist with daily living activities, offer emotional support, and help to maintain a safe environment.

Decision-Making Authority: RMNs are qualified to make clinical decisions regarding healthcare plans and treatment adjustments, whereas support workers implement these plans under the supervision of healthcare professionals.

Educational Requirements: Becoming an RMN requires completing a degree in mental health nursing and obtaining registration within the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Support workers typically enter the field with work-related qualifications and on-the-job training.

Career Pathways for RMNs Transitioning to Support Work

While RMNs are trained for specialised nursing roles, some may choose to transition into support work for various reasons, including seeking a career change in work-life balance or a desire to engage more directly in day-to-day patient support. The skills acquired as an RMN – such as patient assessment, care planning, and therapeutic communication all mentioned previously – are highly transferable and can enhance the quality of support provided in these roles.

Employment Opportunities at Northern Healthcare

As a leading supportive living service provider operating across the North West, Cumbria, Yorkshire, and the Midlands, our mission is rooted in the belief that everyone has the potential to lead a fulfilling life, and our dedicated teams work lovingly to make this a reality for the people we support – and for one another.

For RMNs considering their next career move, Northern Healthcare offers a dynamic and rewarding environment where you can make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals managing mental health challenges.

Collaborative Roles and Teams

At Northern Healthcare, Mental Health Nurses work alongside multidisciplinary professionals, including:

Registered Nurses in Learning Disabilities: RNLDs specialise in supporting individuals with learning disabilities, focusing on their unique developmental and healthcare needs. While RMNs primarily address mental health conditions, RNLDs bring expertise in assisting those with complex cognitive and physical challenges, ensuring a well-rounded approach to care. Together, RMNs and RNLDs provide complementary skills that enhance the well-being of those we support.

Assessment Practitioners: These team members play a crucial role in evaluating the needs of new people we support, and helping Mental Health Nurses develop tailored care plans.
Mental Health Leads: Serving as key advisors, these professionals always ensure the highest standards of mental health care.
Quality and Compliance Leads: Ensuring that our services adhere to regulatory standards, these team members work closely with RMNs to maintain best practices.

“I bring over 20 years of experience working with challenging and risky behaviours, supporting people with a wide variety of mental health diagnoses [and] whilst at Northern Healthcare, I have been able to develop and deliver specific mental health awareness training.

Northern Healthcare is a great place to work with an abundance of opportunities, a great sense of enthusiasm from everyone to support the people living in our services and company values which influence and drive all aspects of our working life.”

Jo Wallis (Quality & Compliance Lead)

Why Choose Northern Healthcare?

Working at Northern Healthcare is an opportunity to grow, contribute, and transform lives – going beyond a typical 9-5 with benefits such as:

Meaningful Impact: As a Registered Mental Health Nurse, you will have the chance to directly support people in our care in achieving greater independence, stability, and confidence.

Collaborative Environment: Northern Healthcare promotes teamwork and professional respect to make sure that every staff member feels valued and looked after.

Career Development: With pathways to leadership roles and opportunities to expand your clinical skills, we actively invest in the growth of our team members.

Commitment to Excellence: As a care provider, we prioritise quality, innovation, and a person-centred approach to care, making NHC a standout organisation in the sector.

“Working at NHC in mental health-supported living environments has allowed me to use my skills as a Registered Mental Health Nurse without being solely involved in direct, face-to-face care.

NHC has continuously encouraged and supported me in applying my expertise in this role, enabling me to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of those we support and improve quality and compliance.

I would highly recommend other RMNs to join NHC, a company that values your skills and knowledge, and provides the support to help you make a positive impact in supported living environments.”

Stephen Speed (Quality Improvement Facilitator)

Mental health nursing is a dynamic and rewarding healthcare career that plays a pivotal role in supporting people with mental health challenges across vast areas of the UK. In supported living services like Northern Healthcare, RMNs provide essential care that complements the effects of support workers, ensuring those we support receive the utmost support. So why not be a part of our shared dedication to empower everyone to reach their fullest potential? Click here to see our current vacancies.