Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 29 September 2025

Job summary

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.Are you a compassionate respectful team player committed to promoting excellence, and accountability in mental health services?

Do you have excellent communication skills that would enable you to work within a challenging inpatient mental health unit. Working in teams that constantly strive to provide the best possible experience for our service users and their carers?

The Unit provides assessment and interventions for clients, operates seven days a week and is accessible 24hrs per day.

An opportunity has arisen for a Band 3 Health Care Assistant based on Kentmere Ward, Westmorland General Hospital.Kentmere is a 12 bedded unit supporting individuals with a range of mental health issues.

Main duties of the job

Ideally you should have at least six months previous experience of working within mental health settings or in a care setting. You should be able to demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the issues that contribute to individuals experiencing mental health difficulties.

We are committed to staff development and provide encouragement and support to staff to continue their lifelong learning. We are also passionate about the supervision process. You will be expected to fully engage in the process for yourself and provide support to others as appropriate.

The successful post holder will be expected to work shifts covering 24 hours, seven days a week and both full and part time contracts are available.

Please note: This post is subject to an enhanced DBS Clearance.

If you are not invited to interview within 3 weeks of the closing date, then please assume that on this occasion you have been unsuccessful, as it is not possible to contact all unsuccessful candidates. It is important that applicants log in to the website and check their Trac account on a regular basis to read and respond to any emails they may have received. If you do not have regular access to email/internet please advise the team of suitable contact details.

All posts are subject to the nationally agreed Agenda for Change terms and conditions.

About us

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.

The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area.

Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview.

Date posted

16 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

351-E-BAY795-CC-A

Job locations

Kentmere Ward, Westmorland General Hospital

Burton Rd

Kendal

LA9 7RG

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about the role, please see the attached recruitment pack which includes a detailed job description and person specification, or visit our website via Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS FT.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Can demonstrate the skills and knowledge gained through work (paid/unpaid) in a care setting and an interest in completing NVQ Level III or Higher in Health and Social Care
OR Currently hold a NVQ Level III or Higher in Health and Social Care or QCF Diploma in Health and Social Care

Knowledge

Essential

Demonstrates an understanding of the issues surrounding mental illness and person-centred recovery
Understands their duties and responsibilities under the Data Protection Act with regard to patient confidentiality

Experience

Essential

Experience of working with service users with mental health problems - for example working in a caring environment such as a nursing home, care home, hospital ward, home carer
Working as part of a team

Skills

Essential

Can demonstrate a clear commitment to the Trust values and can provide practical examples of where they have worked with: oWe are always learning oWe are respectful oWe are kind oWe are a team
Works within a non-judgemental person-centred manner
Can communicate effectively with a wide range of people which includes patients, carers, nurses, Occupational therapists, Managers, doctors, external consultants (e.g. CQC, Audit)

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Can demonstrate the skills and knowledge gained through work (paid/unpaid) in a care setting and an interest in completing NVQ Level III or Higher in Health and Social Care
OR Currently hold a NVQ Level III or Higher in Health and Social Care or QCF Diploma in Health and Social Care

Knowledge

Essential

Demonstrates an understanding of the issues surrounding mental illness and person-centred recovery
Understands their duties and responsibilities under the Data Protection Act with regard to patient confidentiality

Experience

Essential

Experience of working with service users with mental health problems - for example working in a caring environment such as a nursing home, care home, hospital ward, home carer
Working as part of a team

Skills

Essential

Can demonstrate a clear commitment to the Trust values and can provide practical examples of where they have worked with: oWe are always learning oWe are respectful oWe are kind oWe are a team
Works within a non-judgemental person-centred manner
Can communicate effectively with a wide range of people which includes patients, carers, nurses, Occupational therapists, Managers, doctors, external consultants (e.g. CQC, Audit)

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

Kentmere Ward, Westmorland General Hospital

Burton Rd

Kendal

LA9 7RG

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kentmere Ward, Westmorland General Hospital

Burton Rd

Kendal

LA9 7RG

Employer's website

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