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Health Care Support Worker - Learning Disabilities
The closing date is 13 April 2026
Are you looking for an exciting opportunity? We are looking for an experienced Health Care Support Worker to join the Kirklees Learning Disabilities Community Health Team.
The team is multi-disciplinary and provides specialist health support to both individuals, and their wider support networks. The team work agilely and covers the Kirklees locality. The work is varied and will give the right candidate the chance to develop a range of skills working alongside a team that includes nursing, occupational therapy, speech & language therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, and psychiatry.
We are looking for someone motivated, enthusiastic and can demonstrate a positive attitude to working with people with learning disabilities and a commitment to promoting a high quality of life.
If you think you have the right skills and enthusiasm to join our fast paced team, please apply.
For further information, please contact: Sophie Robinson (Nurse Lead) sophie.robinson@swyt.nhs.uk or call 01924 316714.
All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.
Main duties of the job
Will carry out to a high standard (Under the supervision/direction of the registered Nurse) specific tasks/planned programmes of care with a designated group of service users and be able to assess, problem solve or report, in a timely and proactive manner, when these standards have not been met.
Postholder is expected to demonstrate an understanding of the care and treatment programmes and be able to make the appropriate adjustments independently within own level of competence and be able to communicate any changes to service users and team members.
Will be supported to develop and maintain meaningful therapeutic relationships with people. Adopt a polite, positive, and empathetic approach, communicating effectively and informatively.
You are expected to be able to prioritise own tasks, exercising initiative and judgement in response to people's needs. Refer and seek guidance/supervision appropriately and timely.
Visa sponsorship under the Health and Care Worker visa route can only be considered if the prorated salary meets the minimum threshold of £25,000, as required by the UK Visas and Immigration. For Band 3 roles, only full-time positions at the top of the pay scale meet this threshold. Therefore, sponsorship may not be possible depending on salary increment placement and working hours. This is correct at the time of posting, but subject to change in line with the guidance from the Home Office.
About us
We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.
Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.
We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we valuediversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.
Being a foundation Trust means we're accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we're run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.
Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.
We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
The post holder will:
Under the supervision/direction of registered health care professionals/associate practitioner, within a delegated framework for agreed tasks, seek support as and when necessary, in the delivery of psychological and physical care to a defined group of people.
As part of a healthcare team, provide the highest standards of safe and compassionate planned care to people that maximises their recovery and rehabilitation potential.
Develop and maintain meaningful therapeutic relationships with people. Adopt a polite, positive and empathetic approach, communicating effectively and informatively.
Demonstrate an understanding of the care and treatment programmes of a designated group of service users to enable you to instruct, advise and guide service users, family and carers. To make the appropriate adjustments within own level of competence and be able to communicate any changes to service users and registered healthcare professionals.
Be required to concentrate for periods of time, depending upon the care intervention/care plan eg, following the observation policy, taking, recording of physical observations etc, and responding to issues of concern appropriately. This may include areas of work requiring physical effort, with regard to risk, health & safety.
Exercise a degree of independence, initiative and judgement and consider different approaches when delivering tasks. Assess situations, for eg, following the observation policy, identify and resolve potential problems within own levels of competence.
Ensure the care experienced is positive and service user safety is maintained. Treat everyone eg, service users, their relatives, visitors, colleagues etc, with respect, dignity, courtesy and in accordance with the Trusts Values.
Feedback the observations to the registered professional / clinical team to contribute to the care planning process. Understand the principles underlying care planning eg, enabling the service user to reach an optimum level of functioning / independence / recovery.
Implement care within well-established policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines and established clinical care plans. Organise a range of activities eg, facilitate meaningful activities.
Apply basic knowledge of longer-term health conditions, within the remit of care planning, providing advice, support and feedback to a registered professional.
Undertake the physical aspects of care eg, moving and handling of service users. Use items of equipment in delivering care eg, hoists, wheelchairs etc. (as appropriate to the role), ensuring appropriate instruction on their use has been received.
Assist in dealing with verbal/physical aggression using de-escalation techniques, this may include theneed for restraint and / or seclusion (as appropriate to the role).
Support service users with personal care duties (bathing, toileting, dressing, support with meals, assist patients with their appearance), as part of a healthcare team, provide the highest standards of safe and compassionate planned care to people that maximises their recovery and rehabilitation potential.
Undertakes a limited range of delegated clinical care duties relevant to the service provided/work area and records patient observations: e.g. taking blood pressure, blood glucose monitoring, pregnancy testing, observing patients for signs of agitation or distress, removal of peripheral cannula, urinalysis, removal of catheter.
Participate in a flexible rostering arrangement providing 24-hour/7 day care (as appropriate to the role).
For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.
We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.
Person Specification
Physical Attributes
* A satisfactory sickness record over previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
* Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary).
Personal Attributes
* Responsive attitude and approach.
* Dress appropriately for the environment.
* A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).
Experience
* In providing personal care and related procedures for those with health/social needs.
* In working in a caring environment at a band 2 or equivalent level of competence.
* In dealing with the public.
* In working as an effective team member.
* Of demonstrating own duties.
* Ability to work effectively, professionally and under own initiative or as part of a multidisciplinary team.
* In demonstrating initiative, decision-making and prioritisation skills.
* Evidence of a commitment to user/carer involvement.
Training
* Must be willing/able to undertake all appropriate Trust mandatory training requirements, and subsequent refresher training relevant to the area.
* Must be willing/able to undergo job development and training.
* Demonstrate excellent knowledge of service user safety, eg, Prevention & management of violence & aggression, moving and handling, etc.
Qualifications
* GCSE A-D or grade 3-9 in English and Maths or equivalent.
* Level 2 qualification/or working through, with the ability to demonstrate competencies at level 3.
* Care Certificate or required to achieve within 12 weeks of commencement.
* Apprenticeship level 3 or equivalent eg, RQF (regulated Qualification Framework) NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent.
* Experience of the speciality area.
* Willingness to undertake further study.
Special Knowledge & Skills
* As appropriate to the role:
* Demonstrates excellent customer care skills.
* Enthusiastic, able to work flexibly on a 24hr shift pattern to meet the needs of service users.
* Demonstrates safe decision-making skills commensurate with role.
* Knows responsibilities regarding confidentiality and trust.
* Resilience to pressure and exposure to emotional, distressing or hazardous situations eg, verbal aggression, body fluids, etc.
* Non-judgemental, empathetic manner.
* Demonstrates Trust Values.
* Excellent interpersonal skills.
* Good administration and organisational skills.
* Able to use observation skills to identify potential services user, environmental risks etc. and act appropriately.
* Able to fulfil the requirements of the value-based induction.
* Language skills other than English.
* Experience of supervising/inducting others.
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
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
Address
8 Fox View Hub, Dewsbury District Hospital
8 Fox View Hub, Dewsbury District Hospital
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