Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Mental Health Support Worker

The closing date is 30 December 2025

Job summary

Are you a motivated Mental Health Support Worker? Melstock House are looking for you to join!

Melstock House is a mixed sex, all age discharge ward for service users who are ready for discharge but have either complex care or social needs preventing their discharge. Our discharge unit is designed specifically to cater to functional mental health and mild cognitive impairment; this can include diagnoses such as Bi-Polar, Schizophrenia, Psychosis, Anxiety and Depression, etc. Our unit is focused on providing superior care and treatment to individuals navigating their recovery and way back into the community.

As a mental health support worker you will carry out general housekeeping duties and any tasks which help with the smooth running of the ward/unit. You will assist the nurses in their delivery of care to service users. We are a highly motivated and friendly team who have experienced staff with a wide range of skills and we pride ourselves on providing excellent care to our service users. In return we have fantastic opportunities for you to continue your professional development, including training, appraisal and supervision.

You will be required to work shifts that include:

  • Early - 06:45 - 14:15
  • Late - 12:45 - 20:15
  • Long Day - 06:45 - 20:15
  • Night - 19:45 - 07:15 Night, weekend, and bank holiday working at enhanced pay!

We are unable to provide sponsorship for this role. For further information, please contact the ward manager via katie.mcintyre1@nhs.net or 01305 361460

Main duties of the job

You will receive a comprehensive and structured induction programme upon commencing employment.

You will escort patients outside of the hospital unit on journeys as part of our Culture of Care project or to appointments/home visits, as directed by the nurse in charge.

You will be making accurate records of patient observations and report anything unusual back to the nurse in charge.

You will be helping with reintegration back into the community by establishing good working rapports and helping to created tailored care plan.

You will report any complaints by patients/relatives to the trained staff on duty.

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.

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

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

11 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year p.a. / pro rata for part-time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

152-M414.25

Job locations

Melstock House, Forston Clinic

Herrison Road

Dorchester

DT2 9TB


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.

Dorset HealthCare is in partnership withThe Princes Trustto support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we offer an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. Please contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net to access the support.

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.

Dorset HealthCare is in partnership withThe Princes Trustto support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we offer an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. Please contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net to access the support.

Person Specification

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

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

Job specific experience

Essential

  • Ability to work in a team

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a care setting

Information Technology

Essential

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

Additional requirements

Essential

  • A level of fitness and ability to participate and complete PMVA, Breakaway training and Manual Handling (practice and theory).
  • Ability to meet contractual requirements and participate in 24 hour care
  • Demonstrate skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Good Communication skills
  • Ability to use own Initative
  • Ability to to engage and motivate others
  • Ability to remain calm in stressfull situations
Person Specification

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

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

Job specific experience

Essential

  • Ability to work in a team

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a care setting

Information Technology

Essential

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

Additional requirements

Essential

  • A level of fitness and ability to participate and complete PMVA, Breakaway training and Manual Handling (practice and theory).
  • Ability to meet contractual requirements and participate in 24 hour care
  • Demonstrate skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Good Communication skills
  • Ability to use own Initative
  • Ability to to engage and motivate others
  • Ability to remain calm in stressfull 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

Melstock House, Forston Clinic

Herrison Road

Dorchester

DT2 9TB


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

Melstock House, Forston Clinic

Herrison Road

Dorchester

DT2 9TB


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:

Ward Manager

Katie McIntyre

katie.mcintyre1@nhs.net

01305361460

Details

Date posted

11 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year p.a. / pro rata for part-time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

152-M414.25

Job locations

Melstock House, Forston Clinic

Herrison Road

Dorchester

DT2 9TB


Supporting documents

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