Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Health Care Assistant band 3
The closing date is 26 March 2026
Are you a caring individual with experience of working with mental illness within a recovery framework?
We currently have vacancies for Band 3 Healthcare Assistants to work as part of the team on our new Adult Inpatient Ward.
Main duties of the job
In applying for this role you will need to be able to demonstrate the following:
* Completed the Cavendish Care Certificate.
* Achieved a GCSE grade 4 (formally grade C) or above in Maths and English, this can include Functional skills Level 2 or above.
* Can demonstrate two years experience of working as a Health Care Support Worker in mental health.
* We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a large number of applicants.
About us
At SHSC, we prioritise the well‑being and safety of both our service users and employees. It is our policy and a condition of employment that all employees must join the DBS Update Service. This service carries an annual fee, which employees are responsible for paying up front. However, employees may claim this cost back through the Trust's Employee Expenses Reimbursement Policy. For those requiring a Basic DBS check, it is necessary to register for a DBS Online Account.
Job responsibilities
1. Key responsibilities
o Build and maintain safe and effective therapeutic relationships.
o Support people to identify their own hopes and goals to improve their quality of life.
o Support individuals to contribute to collaborative care/support/recovery plans.
o Communicate effectively with a wide range of people using a range of preferred methods.
o Contribute to monitoring, observing and engaging with individuals, communicating outcomes and conclusions with the rest of the team.
o Gain an understanding of a person's experiences in relation to their mental health.
o Understand a person's coping strategies and strengths and support people to use these at times of distress or difficulty.
o Contribute to reflective practice and encourage compassion and understanding.
o Be able to recognise increasing risk and alert significant others and the team to respond as needed.
o Undertake a range of practical tasks and duties in support of the Team and individual needs.
o Follow principles of diffusion and de‑escalation for those experiencing distress.
o To feel confident to be able to report untoward incidents and areas of concern as soon as they arise.
o To document any relevant information in an electronic record following relevant policy and legislation.
o Contribute to individual reviews and team meetings.
o Aspire to instil hope and optimism.
2. Duties
o Identify/contribute to their own goals to improve their quality of life.
o Contribute to their own care/support/recovery plans.
o Support individuals to express their needs and wishes.
o Promote their personal hygiene and physical health.
o Actively engage in health promotion.
o Engage in meaningful and enjoyable activity.
o To support individuals with external activities/appointments under indirect supervision.
o May have responsibility for patient monies/valuables which need to be handled within SHSC local guidelines.
o To structure time positively.
o Initiate, maintain and strengthen familial and social relationships.
o Increase self‑confidence.
o Embrace new opportunities.
3. Training and Supervision
o Undertake mandatory and appropriate training relevant to your role for example: General Health and Safety, Basic/advanced Life Support, RESPECT Training.
o Identify own training and developmental needs.
o Identify areas of training need that are relevant to the team.
o Assist in the delivery of training in areas of personal experience and interest.
o Participate in regular individual and group supervision.
o Use supervision to understand, reflect, inform and improve your work practice.
o Participate in the development of the service.
4. Personal responsibilities
o Ensure that people are treated with dignity and respect.
o Promote anti‑discriminatory activities.
o Work flexibly to meet service needs.
5. Administrative responsibilities
o Keep clinical records up to date using Trust systems in accordance with legislation as delegated by the nurse in charge.
o Support people to contribute to their own clinical notes.
o Maintain records to a high standard and record activity data in a timely manner.
6. Professional responsibilities
o Maintain confidentiality of all personal information and data in line with organisational policy and the GPDR 2018.
o Be familiar and work in line with local and national policy and procedures.
o Raise concern in regard to disciplinary or performance issues to the management team using policies and procedures such as safeguarding and whistle blowing.
* This Health Care Support Worker role will be based at Beech Step‑Down. You can find more detailed information about our services at www.shsc.nhs.uk/services.
This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities and in discussion with the manager the postholder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the Banding of the post. The job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder.
The post holder should be comfortable in the use of computer technology, have basic keyboard skills and have the ability to use email.
All employees are expected to observe the following:
Equal opportunities and dignity at work statement of intent
The Trust is a major employer and provider of services. We are committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of and meets the needs of the local community.
We oppose all forms of discrimination on legal and moral grounds and recognise that discrimination creates barriers to achieving equality for everyone.
The Trust is committed to making equality of opportunity and fair treatment a reality whereby an individual can seek, obtain and continue employment without unfair discrimination.
As an equal opportunities employer, we will ensure that all job applicants and employees receive fair and equal treatment and will not be disadvantaged by unjustified conditions or requirements.
The Trusts Equal Opportunities and Dignity at Work Policy underpins the Trusts commitment to achieve equality and fairness at work and to ensure that individuals or groups are not unfairly discriminated against.
We are committed to improving our practice through signing up to initiatives such as Stonewall Champions, the Disability Standard/Disability Confident and Mindful Employer.
Safeguarding children and adults
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people (anyone under the age of 18) and adults. It expects all staff, volunteers and contracted staff to share this commitment and act in such a way that safeguards and promotes the health and wellbeing of children, young people and adults.
Staff must ensure that they are familiar with the signs and symptoms of abuse and know what to do if any such concerns are raised.
Staff are expected to know about and follow the Trusts safeguarding children and safeguarding adult policies which can be found on the Trust intranet and participate in related mandatory/statutory training.
Staff should be aware of the principles of risk management and adopt appropriate practice to reduce the risk to themselves and others. In particular, staff should observe the Trusts Risk Management Strategy, Risk, Incident and Serious Incident reporting and management policies, Health and Safety regulations and the risk management training requirements for all staff.
Infection prevention and control
Staff are expected to comply with the Trusts Infection Prevention and Control policies and conduct themselves in such a manner as to minimise the risk of causing healthcare associated infections.
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
* Maths and English GCSE or equivalent (e.g. functional skills; ENIC)
* or Vocational qualification in health and social care (e.g. care certificate; level 2/3 diploma)
* Evidence of self‑directed learning
Experience
* Can demonstrate two years experience of working as a Health Care Support Worker in a mental health setting
* Experience of mentoring or supervising colleagues
* Good knowledge and understanding of mental health problems, learning disabilities and dementia
* Demonstrate an understanding of Person‑Centred Approaches and Values
* Ability to build and sustain positive therapeutic relationships
* Effective communication and listening skills
* Able to organise and plan and prioritise own work activities
* Have the practical skills to provide support with daily living activities
* Understanding and practical knowledge of recovery
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 name
Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
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