Overview
The Dorset All Age Eating Disorders Service (DAEDS) – Adult Inpatient Unit - Mental Health Support Worker
We are looking to recruit kind, caring and compassionate Mental Health Support Workers who are interested in being part of a team offering treatment and care to people with an eating disorder. Experience of caring for people with an eating disorder in a mental health setting is desirable, empathy towards those who have an eating disorder essential. The ability to work effectively and dynamically in a busy and demanding setting with a willingness to learn vital.
We promote learning and development, and all staff are encouraged and supported throughout their career to grow and develop. We provide an initial induction, inhouse and other training opportunities, plus clinical and management supervision. Your continuous professional development will be planned and tailored to your needs together with support to achieve your personal objectives set via annual appraisal and you will receive regular clinical and management supervision.
The inpatient unit is open 24/7, 365 days a year and the role requires the person to work shifts including nights. To safely and effectively deliver treatment and care, we are very interested in applicants who are looking for their rostered day shifts to be 7.5 hours opposed to long days. We are looking to recruit:
* 1 x 37.5 hour post
* 1 x 22.5 hour post
Main duties of the job
* To carry out assigned tasks involving direct care in support of, and supervised by, a Registered Nurse.
* Carrying out assigned task which have been identified by the trained nursing staff in relation to patients' needs.
* To help supervise and support patients during and after mealtimes.
* Making accurate records of patient observations.
* To work unsupervised when offering verbal and emotional support to patients.
You will be required to undertake a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course and it is a condition of your employment that you successfully complete all aspects of this course; if this is not achieved you will not be able to commence working in the post.
About us
At Dorset HealthCare we are on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.
We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.
Details
Date posted: 10 September 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 3
Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 a year p.a.
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 152-M266.25
Job locations: Kimmeridge Court, St Ann's Hospital, Haven Road, Poole BH13 7LN
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
Support and Widening Participation
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Person Specification
Knowledge, Skills and Training
* Essential: Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English for effective performance in the role.
* Desirable: Demonstrable experience of working with adults with a mental health disorder
Information Technology
* Essential: Basic IT skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training.
Personal qualities and attributes
* Essential: Able to work effectively as part of a team.
* Essential: Able to demonstrate and use own initiative
Additional requirements
* Essential: A level of fitness and ability to perform Physical Intervention and/or Breakaway techniques (following training).
* Desirable: Experience working with persons with an eating disorder
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: Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Kimmeridge Court, St Ann's Hospital, Haven Road, Poole, BH13 7LN
Employer's website: https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us
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