Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Health Care Support Worker

The closing date is 13 April 2026

Job summary

We are looking for a proactive support worker to work day shifts at Shepherd House. We are an 15 bed inpatient Rehabilitation Ward for adults with complex and enduring mental health diagnoses.

Main duties of the job

Support the Nurse in Charge in delivering high-quality, compassionate care throughout the day. Engage with patients in a therapeutic, recovery-focused manner to promote wellbeing and positive daily routines. Carry out patient observations to maintain safety and uphold safe standards of care on the unit. Provide consistent break cover to ensure safe staffing levels are maintained at all times. Assist with food preparation and undertake some cooking duties to support meal provision. Contribute to maintaining a safe, clean, and orderly ward environment through light cleaning and environmental checks. Accurately record patient care, observations, and interactions in clinical records.

About us

What We Offer

We are committed to supporting the growth, wellbeing, and career development of all our staff. As part of our team, you will have access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities designed to help you thrive in your role and progress in your career.

? Comprehensive TrainingYou will receive full mandatory training relevant to the role, ensuring you feel confident, supported, and well-prepared from day one.

? Career Development PathwaysWe offer clear progression routes, including opportunities to train as a Nursing Associate or apply for the Nurse Apprenticeship programme. Your development truly matters to us, and we'll support you to reach your goals.

? Regular SupervisionYou will receive consistent, high-quality supervision to help you reflect, develop, and feel supported in your practice.

? Team Building & Away DaysWe value teamwork and connection. You'll be part of a service that invests in team cohesion through regular team-building sessions and away days.

Flexible Working

We actively promote flexible working and understand the importance of a positive work-life balance. When staff feel supported and balanced, the care we provide improves too.

We welcome conversations about a range of flexible working options, including:

  • Part-time hours
  • Flexible start and finish times
  • Adjusted shift patterns
  • Occasional home-working (where appropriate to the role)

If it works for you and works for the service, we'll always do our best to make it happen.

Details

Date posted

31 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

354-AC-21272

Job locations

Shepherd House Recovery Unit

129 Brighton Road

Worthing

BN11 2ET


Job description

Job responsibilities

Supporting the Nurse in Charge

  • Assist with the delivery of daytoday patient care.
  • Help maintain a safe, therapeutic, and recoveryfocused environment.
Patient Engagement
  • Build constructive, supportive relationships with patients throughout the day.
  • Support patients to engage in structured therapeutic activities and positive daily routines.
  • Promote wellbeing through regular, meaningful interaction.
Promoting Healthy Routines
  • Encourage healthy daytime habits, including engagement in physical health interventions.
  • Support patients to develop and maintain positive routines that aid their recovery.
Patient Observation & Safety
  • Complete required patient observations as directed by the Nurse in Charge.
  • Maintain situational awareness to ensure patient and environmental safety at all times.
Break Cover
  • Provide reliable and timely cover for staff breaks to ensure safe staffing levels are maintained continuously across the unit.
Record Keeping
  • Document care, observations, and patient interactions accurately and professionally.
  • Maintain thorough, timely entries in patient health records in line with organisational standards.
Environmental Safety & Cleaning Duties
  • Participate in maintaining a clean, safe, and wellorganised ward environment.
  • Undertake light cleaning tasks and environmental checks as required.
Food Preparation & Cooking
  • Assist in preparing food and contribute to mealrelated tasks.
  • Carry out some cooking duties to support daily meal provision on the unit.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Supporting the Nurse in Charge

  • Assist with the delivery of daytoday patient care.
  • Help maintain a safe, therapeutic, and recoveryfocused environment.
Patient Engagement
  • Build constructive, supportive relationships with patients throughout the day.
  • Support patients to engage in structured therapeutic activities and positive daily routines.
  • Promote wellbeing through regular, meaningful interaction.
Promoting Healthy Routines
  • Encourage healthy daytime habits, including engagement in physical health interventions.
  • Support patients to develop and maintain positive routines that aid their recovery.
Patient Observation & Safety
  • Complete required patient observations as directed by the Nurse in Charge.
  • Maintain situational awareness to ensure patient and environmental safety at all times.
Break Cover
  • Provide reliable and timely cover for staff breaks to ensure safe staffing levels are maintained continuously across the unit.
Record Keeping
  • Document care, observations, and patient interactions accurately and professionally.
  • Maintain thorough, timely entries in patient health records in line with organisational standards.
Environmental Safety & Cleaning Duties
  • Participate in maintaining a clean, safe, and wellorganised ward environment.
  • Undertake light cleaning tasks and environmental checks as required.
Food Preparation & Cooking
  • Assist in preparing food and contribute to mealrelated tasks.
  • Carry out some cooking duties to support daily meal provision on the unit.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good general education
  • NVQ level 3 or equivalent experience

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity
  • Experience of working collaboratively i.e. with colleagues, wider teams, service users etc
  • An understanding of confidentiality
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good general education
  • NVQ level 3 or equivalent experience

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity
  • Experience of working collaboratively i.e. with colleagues, wider teams, service users etc
  • An understanding of confidentiality

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

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Shepherd House Recovery Unit

129 Brighton Road

Worthing

BN11 2ET


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Shepherd House Recovery Unit

129 Brighton Road

Worthing

BN11 2ET


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Manager

Lois Critchley

lois.critchley1@nhs.net

03003040060

Details

Date posted

31 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

354-AC-21272

Job locations

Shepherd House Recovery Unit

129 Brighton Road

Worthing

BN11 2ET


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)