Main area Forensic Mental Health Grade Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (3 long days or nights to be worked a week plus a make up shift every 6-8 weeks) Job ref 001-ACS047-0326
Employer Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Employer type NHS Site Hafan Y Coed, University Hospital of Llandough Town Cardiff Salary £25,313 - £26,999 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 22/03/2026 23:59
Band 3
WHO WE ARE:
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Board in the UK, employing over 16,000 staff and providing over 100 specialist services. Serving a population of around 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst also working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone and to delivering excellent care and support.
Our mission is “Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together”. We have recently refreshed our strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, which sets out the Health Board’s Vision for improving the health and wellbeing of the populations we serve by 2035 through the delivery of our strategic objectives; Putting People First, Providing Outstanding Quality, Delivering in the Right Places, and Acting for the Future. We have challenging times ahead, but we are confident that by tackling these challenges together, we can support people to live healthier lives and reduce the unfair differences in the prevalence of illness and health outcomes we see in our communities today. We aspire to deliver outstanding care and treatment for people when they need it, where they need it; care that compares well with the best in the world, but to do so, we need to transform how we deliver services over the next decade and beyond.
We are a values-driven organisation and our goals will be realised if our values are at the heart of everything we do. Created by colleagues, patients and their families and carers, our values are:
* We are kind and caring
* We are respectful
* We have trust and integrity
* We take personal responsibility
Wales has much to offer with miles of stunning coastline, UNESCO world heritage sites and beautiful countryside. Cardiff, the thriving Welsh capital, has something for everyone. It is a fantastic city to live and work in with an abundance of sports, arts and cultural attractions. Situated to the west of Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan offers a combination of beautiful Welsh countryside and a dramatic natural coastline, as well as charming towns including Penarth and Cowbridge. Those seeking more culture may find themselves drawn to the National Museum, St Fagan’s Museum of Welsh Life or the Millennium Centre, home of the Welsh National Opera. Whether city life or rural living, Cardiff and the Vale offers the best of both worlds.
The Agenda for Change Pay Award for 2026/27 is effective from 1 st April 2026.
We are offering an exciting opportunity for a committed and compassionate individual to join the multidisciplinary team within Maple Ward, a low secure forensic inpatient service based within Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. This is a 24‑hour service and therefore will suit someone who is comfortable working shift patterns, including days, nights, weekends, and bank holidays.
Maple Ward provides specialist care, treatment and supervision for 13 male patients aged 18 and over who present with complex and enduring mental health needs. Many of the individuals we support have a history of significant risk‑related behaviours, including those who have committed serious offences or are considered at risk of causing harm to others. The ward environment is specifically designed to provide safe, structured, and recovery‑focused care while promoting dignity, respect, and rehabilitation.
As a Health Care Support Worker, you will play a vital role in supporting qualified nursing staff and the wider MDT to deliver high‑quality, person‑centred care. You will actively engage patients in therapeutic activities, assist with daily living tasks, contribute to care planning, and help maintain a safe and therapeutic environment on the ward. The role requires compassion, resilience, excellent communication skills, and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of individuals with complex mental health and forensic needs.
Main duties of the job
* Providing direct support with daily living activities, such as meals, personal care and engagement in therapeutic activities.
* Supporting the psychological and emotional wellbeing of patients, using de‑escalation skills, relational security and professional boundaries at all times.
* Contributing to the management of risk, including observation levels, security procedures, and maintaining a therapeutic but safe ward environment.
* Participating in ward‑based activities, including structured sessions, and groups.
* Maintaining physical, procedural, and relational security in accordance with low secure standards, using the least restrictive measures necessary to ensure safety.
Candidates will demonstrate:
* Previous experience in a healthcare, support, or care setting.
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build therapeutic relationships while maintaining boundaries.
* The ability to work effectively as part of a team, contributing positively to the ward environment and multidisciplinary approach.
* A compassionate and trauma‑informed approach to supporting individuals with complex mental health needs.
* Enthusiasm, motivation and resilience, particularly when working in a challenging and dynamic secure setting.
* An understanding of confidentiality, dignity and respect within mental health and forensic services
The ability to speak Welsh, which is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.
Person specification
Qualifications
* Good level of education, including GCSE Maths and English, Grade A-C or equivalent
* Level 3 health qualification or equivalent experienced
* Experience within forensic mental health
* Experience supporting individuals with complex risk histories or challenging behaviours
Experience
* Experience in a health care setting
* Commitment to professional development must be demonstrated
* Experience of working in forensic mental health
Skills
* Good standard of written and spoken English
* Knowledge of recovery focused and trauma informed principles
* Understanding of relational security, de‑escalation techniques and therapeutic engagement
Personal Qualities
* Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels
* Knowledge of UHB values and behaviours
* Awareness of the Mental Health Act
MANAGING YOUR APPLICATION:
We are committed to promoting inclusion, where all staff have a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from everyone and recognise the need for our workforce to represent the diversity of the population we serve. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment where staff treat one another with dignity and respect and where diversity is celebrated. We aim to create a working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential no matter their disability, sex, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity or marriage and civil partnership status.We are keen to break down barriers in the UHB, and encourage applications from under‑represented groups.
Applicants are invited to apply in Welsh. Any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.
The UHB reserves the right to close this vacancy after 24 hours if a large number of suitable applications are received. Therefore, we encourage early applications to ensure consideration for this post.
Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.
To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship to obtain either a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa, unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply should self‑assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship by visiting Work in the UK. If you are eligible for the Health and Care visa, application costs are lower and you do not need to pay the annual Immigration Health Surcharge.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
#J-18808-Ljbffr