Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Mental Health Support Worker

The closing date is 28 August 2025

Job summary

St Ann's Hospital is an acute mental health inpatient unit located in Canford Cliffs, Poole, Dorset.

We are looking to recruit a Mental Health Support Worker for Chine Ward. An 11 bedded female treatment ward, providing treatment and care for a wide range of mental health illnesses which include Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Depression, Anxiety and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder. The age of the patients ranges from 18 to 64.

The multi-disciplinary team on Chine Ward are friendly, supportive and have wide ranging skills to;

Treat informalpatients and thosedetained under the Mental Health Act using positive engagement, talking therapies (CBT/DBT) and medicines

Place the patient front and centre in their recovery journey

Engage creatively withpatients to co-produce theirindividual care plans

Prioritise both mental and physical health wellness

Help patients get active, eat well and take care of their own wellbeing

Promote freedom of choice and least restrictive practice, in a safe and therapeutic environment

Applications from candidates that require sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Main duties of the job

Your role will be pivotal to support the trained nursing staff in providing direct care and assistance to patients with:

  • Support with personal care and hygiene
  • Timed Observations
  • Mealtimes
  • Escorted walks and journeys
  • Ward Tidiness
  • Therapeutic Engagement with organised ward activities

You will need to have an NVQ 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent and be able to meet the NHS values of ensuring respect and dignity, be committed to providing a high quality of care, behave with compassion and kindness, helping to improve peoples' lives, work as a team to meet patients' needs and make sure that everyone counts.

If you have the ability to interact well with people, are enthusiastic, willing to listen to what they have to say and are interested in learning and applying new skills then we would like to hear from you.

You will be required to undertake a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course and it is a condition of your employment that you successfully complete all aspects of this course; if this is not achieved you will not be able to commence working in the post.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Details

Date posted

13 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

152-M210.25

Job locations

St Ann's Hospital

69 Haven Road

Poole

BH13 7LN


Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Princes Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Princes Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Person Specification

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

  • Literate
  • NVQ level 2 or 3 or equivalent level of experience
  • Numerate

Information Technology

Essential

  • Basic IT keyboard skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training

Job specific experience

Essential

  • Ability to work within a team

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a care environment

Personal qualities/attributes

Essential

  • Good communications skills
  • Ability to use initiative
  • Ability to engage and motivate others
  • Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
Person Specification

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

  • Literate
  • NVQ level 2 or 3 or equivalent level of experience
  • Numerate

Information Technology

Essential

  • Basic IT keyboard skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training

Job specific experience

Essential

  • Ability to work within a team

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a care environment

Personal qualities/attributes

Essential

  • Good communications skills
  • Ability to use initiative
  • Ability to engage and motivate others
  • Ability to remain calm in stressful situations

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Ann's Hospital

69 Haven Road

Poole

BH13 7LN


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Ann's Hospital

69 Haven Road

Poole

BH13 7LN


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Chine Ward Manager

Louise Raines

louise.raines1@nhs.net

01202492135

Details

Date posted

13 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

152-M210.25

Job locations

St Ann's Hospital

69 Haven Road

Poole

BH13 7LN


Supporting documents

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