Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Children's Health Care Support Worker

The closing date is 07 September 2025

Job summary

*PLEASE NOTE* - PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY

A rewarding role where each day could be different, being able to build a working relationship with children and young people within our packages of care, helping to make a difference to their lives and see the impact your support can make to the family unit

We have an exciting opportunity for Health Care support workers to join our team in the Children's Packages of Care Team (CPOC). We are looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic people to join our team due to expansion within the service.

The children's packages of care team sits within the Children's Complex Needs Nursing Service and delivers packages of care to children within the Lancashire and South Cumbria Foundation trust.

This role includes shift work, including nights/weekends. We would also consider someone who only wanted to work night shifts as a shift pattern.

You will require a valid UK driving licence or have access to a vehicle for work purposes or be able to travel between community settings in a timely manner. This is essential in order to travel across the geographical footprint required within the service. Bases are both at Burnley and Preston with packages of care across Lancashire. (Travel expenses reimbursed in accordance with trust policy

Main duties of the job

HCSWs within this team are lone workers, taking full responsibility for the care of children with complex needs after receiving comprehensive training. This could be caring for a child overnight in their own home, while parents are sleeping, accompanying a child to school and meeting their needs during the school day or working with another HCSW/nurse to give parents a complete break.

Following training and competency assessment, HCSWs will be able to independently care for children with tracheostomies, gastrostomies, require medications, oxygen therapy amongst other medical needs.

Shift times vary dependant on the child's needs and HCSWs are expected to work a mixture of days, nights, and weekend shifts, these can be anytime over the 24 hour period.

About us

Please Note:

In line with recent UK Government updates, please be aware that from 9 April 2025, the minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas, including the Health and Care Visa route, has increased to £25,000 per year. This applies to roles paid in accordance with NHS pay bands, meaning entry-level Band 3 positions no longer meet the criteria for sponsorship.

If you require visa sponsorship to work in the UK, you will be asked to provide further information during the application process to confirm that you meet the updated eligibility requirements.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. All applications will be considered on merit, in line with UK employment legislation and our sponsorship obligations.

If you are required to select your current VISA type, please ensure you select the correct option from the list provided. Failure to select the correct option, or intentionally selecting the wrong option, may result in your application being rejected.

Details

Date posted

04 September 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

351-CEN2280-BD-C

Job locations

Ashton Health Centre

Preston

PR2 1HR


Job description

Job responsibilities

The ideal candidates will need to be organised, able to work alone and part of a team, adaptable, calm in pressured situations and flexible to meet the needs of the service. Ideally you will have experience in a health care, social care or education setting working with children. An NVQ3 in care or equivalent care experience is desired, however full training will be given.

This is an extremely rewarding role as you will be caring for children in their homes/school providing support ensuring that their needs are met. You will be attending to personal cares, moving and handling needs and engaging through play. Some of our children have additional health care needs such as gastrostomies, tracheostomies and use of medical equipment in which full training will be provided.

You will be well supported by an experienced and dedicated management team as well as peer support amongst colleagues, opportunities to work alongside specialists, a personal and professional development plan.

Career pathway from HCSW to nursing associate is available to members of CPOC in addition, you will have an annual personal development review and plan to support your career aspirations along with regular team days for training, supportive discussions and well-being sessions.

This is an NHS ran service and incorporates all the standard NHS staff benefits for working within the service e.g. Enhanced rate for nights and weekend work, pension, paid sick leave, annual leave entitlements and access to evidence based training.

*Please note - previous applications need not apply for this role*

Job description

Job responsibilities

The ideal candidates will need to be organised, able to work alone and part of a team, adaptable, calm in pressured situations and flexible to meet the needs of the service. Ideally you will have experience in a health care, social care or education setting working with children. An NVQ3 in care or equivalent care experience is desired, however full training will be given.

This is an extremely rewarding role as you will be caring for children in their homes/school providing support ensuring that their needs are met. You will be attending to personal cares, moving and handling needs and engaging through play. Some of our children have additional health care needs such as gastrostomies, tracheostomies and use of medical equipment in which full training will be provided.

You will be well supported by an experienced and dedicated management team as well as peer support amongst colleagues, opportunities to work alongside specialists, a personal and professional development plan.

Career pathway from HCSW to nursing associate is available to members of CPOC in addition, you will have an annual personal development review and plan to support your career aspirations along with regular team days for training, supportive discussions and well-being sessions.

This is an NHS ran service and incorporates all the standard NHS staff benefits for working within the service e.g. Enhanced rate for nights and weekend work, pension, paid sick leave, annual leave entitlements and access to evidence based training.

*Please note - previous applications need not apply for this role*

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 3 in care or equivalent experience.
  • A willingness to undertake further study.
  • Good general education including GCSE in English Language or equivalent.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Good knowledge of child development
  • Basic understanding of how complex needs/chronic illness affects children and families
  • Sound working knowledge of professional issues e/.g. confidentiality

Exper

Essential

  • Experience of managing children on an individual and group basis
  • Experience of interacting with Children with Complex and/or Additional Needs
  • Previous experience of care in health, social, education or voluntary setting.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 3 in care or equivalent experience.
  • A willingness to undertake further study.
  • Good general education including GCSE in English Language or equivalent.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Good knowledge of child development
  • Basic understanding of how complex needs/chronic illness affects children and families
  • Sound working knowledge of professional issues e/.g. confidentiality

Exper

Essential

  • Experience of managing children on an individual and group basis
  • Experience of interacting with Children with Complex and/or Additional Needs
  • Previous experience of care in health, social, education or voluntary setting.

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

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ashton Health Centre

Preston

PR2 1HR


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ashton Health Centre

Preston

PR2 1HR


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Nurse Business Manager

Rebecca Higham

Rebecca.Higham@lscft.nhs.uk

01282628362

Details

Date posted

04 September 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

351-CEN2280-BD-C

Job locations

Ashton Health Centre

Preston

PR2 1HR


Supporting documents

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