Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant - Sowenna

The closing date is 09 November 2025

Job summary

This job is currently only open to people who already work for the NHS in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly.We are committed to supporting our dedicated staff, so only current employees of the following organisations can apply:

  • Cornwall Foundation Trust
  • Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
  • Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board

If you do not currently work for one of these NHS organisations, your application will not be considered at this time.

Successful applicants will be invited to attend a Selection Day at Carew House, Bodmin on 21st November 2025. This will be a morning or afternoon to be confirmed.

We are looking for a kind, motivated and enthusiastic Healthcare Assistant to join our team at Sowenna.

Sowenna, meaning "success" is Cornwall's first Children and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) Inpatient Unit providing treatment for young people aged between 13 and 18 years and working collaboratively with the Community CAMHS teams, ensuring a seamless whole service approach.

Our emphasis is on providing a therapeutic environment, offering a holistic approach to treatment in a safe and supported space which promotes rehabilitation and recovery. We work with various professionals, carers and community staff to ensure effective delivery of care and a planned, safe and timely discharge.

The successful candidates will be part of a dedicated, multi-disciplinary team.

Main duties of the job

This post is primarily focussed upon working within the CAMHS adolescent in-patient unit, but will also involve working closely with the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly community CAMHS team, including working with young people who are attending the day-patient facility, to ensure a seamless whole service approach.

The role of Healthcare Assistant involves working a rotational shift pattern, including day and night shifts, weekends and bank holidays as required. The role of the Health Care Assistant includes supporting the multidisciplinary team's assessment, planning and delivery of care needs of young people who have been admitted to the adolescent in- patient mental health unit.

The role includes carrying out assigned tasks involving direct care under the direct or indirect supervision of a registered nurse. This may involve working on a one-to-one basis with young people to maintain their safety. As part of a team, and under direct or indirect supervision, the Health Care Assistant will provide high quality mental and physical health care to young people who are experiencing mental health difficulties and their families.

The Health Care Assistant will also assist in service and best practice developments, contributing to the evaluation of programmes of care by reporting to the clinical supervisor, registered nurse or other members of the multidisciplinary team as appropriate.

About us

We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.

We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.

Over 4,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.

We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 13 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.

Just over 532,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increases the numbers of people who use our services.

Details

Date posted

23 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

201-25-781

Job locations

Sowenna Unit

Boundary Road

Bodmin

PL31 2QT


Job description

Job responsibilities

To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see supporting documents.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see supporting documents.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications and Experience

Essential

  • NVQ 3 in Health and Social Care or willingness to undertake training
  • Experience with working with individuals with complex mental health or social needs
  • Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary clinical team

Desirable

  • Specific training associated with this service user group
  • Experience of working in an in-patient adolescent mental health setting

Knowledge and abilities

Essential

  • Knowledge of working in a care environment
  • Ability to develop good working relationships with colleagues and others
  • Ability to use information technology, or willingness to learn

Desirable

  • Knowledge of mental health conditions and social needs
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications and Experience

Essential

  • NVQ 3 in Health and Social Care or willingness to undertake training
  • Experience with working with individuals with complex mental health or social needs
  • Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary clinical team

Desirable

  • Specific training associated with this service user group
  • Experience of working in an in-patient adolescent mental health setting

Knowledge and abilities

Essential

  • Knowledge of working in a care environment
  • Ability to develop good working relationships with colleagues and others
  • Ability to use information technology, or willingness to learn

Desirable

  • Knowledge of mental health conditions and social needs

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Sowenna Unit

Boundary Road

Bodmin

PL31 2QT


Employer's website

https://www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Sowenna Unit

Boundary Road

Bodmin

PL31 2QT


Employer's website

https://www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Unit Manager

Elizabeth Alexander

elizabeth.alexander1@nhs.net

01208834234

Details

Date posted

23 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

201-25-781

Job locations

Sowenna Unit

Boundary Road

Bodmin

PL31 2QT


Supporting documents

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