Job Overview
Epsom & St Helier Staff Bank are looking to recruit Mental Health Support Workers who specialise with Children & Young People. You must have one year experience working in a mental health setting and this must include experience working with Children & Young people. You must have a full Care Certificate to be considered and it is desirable you hold Seni Lewis Law compliant restraint training. If you are interested and available please apply today – we are looking forward to hearing from you!
Your certification & confirmation of experience will need to be provided/confirmed prior to your interview, so please confirm this upon request.
Working on our Bank allows you to work flexibly whilst also allowing you to be part of one amazing team. We are a growing and changing organisation, and are looking for new team members to work with us during this time of change.
The role of a MHSW is a very privileged role, you will provide personal care and support to patients at their most vulnerable times. You will work alongside a multidisciplinary team to provide a compassionate, caring and safe environment for our patients.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be working in the Children’s Emergency Department and Children’s in-patient wards providing support for children and young people in mental health crisis that are assessed as requiring enhanced care. This may involve providing 1‑1 care to a child or young person under the supervision of the nurse in charge of the area. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring the child / young person’s care plan is adhered to and may involve recording observations and behaviours. The post‑holder will demonstrate kindness, care and compassion and engage at an appropriate age level with the child / young person to ensure their needs are met and they have a positive experience while in the ED or in the Children’s Ward.
Working for our organisation
Our values help us to define and develop our culture, what we do and how we do it. It is important that you understand and reflect these values throughout your employment with the Trust.
The postholder will be:
Excellent
* Looking after our patients as we would like to be looked after ourselves.
* Setting high standards and being open to new ideas.
* Being professional in our approach and appearance.
* Promoting and sharing best practice.
Kind
* Anticipating and responding to patients’ and carers’ concerns and worries.
* Supporting each other under pressure and considering the impact of our actions on others.
* Helping people find their way if they look unsure or lost.
* Smiling, listening and being friendly.
Responsible
* Having patient safety as our prime consideration.
* Being responsible for ensuring good patient experience.
* Challenging poor behaviour in others.
* Saying sorry when things go wrong.
Respectful
* Keeping patients, families and carers involved and informed.
* Protecting patients’ dignity and confidentiality.
* Wearing our name badges, introducing ourselves and addressing people in a professional manner.
* Respecting colleagues’ roles in patient care and experience.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
* Providing 1‑1 nursing care to a child / young person assessed as medium or high risk of self‑harm / harm to other / behaviour challenges. Some may also be neurodiverse and their individual needs should be considered (e.g. environment, self‑regulation, de‑escalation techniques).
* Supporting children / young people and their parents / carers waiting for assessment or intervention in the Emergency Department or wider hospital site, providing emotional support, guidance and brief interventions where indicated.
* Liaising with other services and collecting information to ensure a joined‑up approach to patient care.
* Completing environmental checklists at the start of the shift and at any other time during a shift if indicated.
* Building trusting relationships with children and young people to support their emotional and psychological well‑being.
* Providing structured and unstructured activities for children and young people under the direction of the Health Play Specialist, Nursing teams, CAMHS service (e.g. playing a game, leading an art/craft activity).
* Having an awareness of mental‑health conditions (e.g. anxiety, depression, trauma, self‑harm) and how they are managed.
* Contributing to MDT meetings by providing feedback on the child / young person’s presentation and progress.
* Monitoring and documenting behavioural changes, mood, and engagement levels.
* Encouraging participation in education, hobbies, and social activities to promote holistic recovery.
* Ensuring that safe practice is maintained by being aware of Trust policies and procedures regarding Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression, Children’s Safeguarding, Management of Rapid Tranquilisation, Management of Restraint.
* Working collaboratively with parents, carers, and guardians to support the child / young person’s care and recovery.
* Escalating to the Nurse in Charge, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Medical and CAMHS teams any safeguarding concerns and documenting clearly in the patient’s records.
* Ensuring incidents are reported on the Trust DATIX system.
* Maintaining accurate, timely records on the Trust electronic record system, including hourly observations of mood / behaviour.
* Participating in safeguarding supervision if required.
* Promoting equality, diversity, inclusion, and anti‑discriminatory practice in all aspects of care.
* Escorting children / young people to access facilities / open air outside the clinical area following a risk assessment, potentially with parents / carers / security and on site.
* Providing a calm and reassuring presence, offering support and comfort to young people and their families during a potentially distressing time.
* Using sensory boxes appropriately in engaging with children and young people.
* Supporting children, young people, and their families to have individualized care by completing Hospital / Playwise passports for staff to use when caring for them.
* Recognising and responding to escalating situations, using de‑escalation techniques to maintain a safe environment for the young person and others.
* Ensuring full compliance with all Information Governance requirements as set out by the Trust.
* Being able to undertake clinical observations (e.g., temperature, pulse, respiratory rate) and maintain a food / fluid balance chart for any child / young person requiring one (e.g., eating disorder).
* Supporting a child / young person to adhere to dietary plan and supervising mealtimes when assessed as requiring this.
* Responding to clinical emergencies as required.
See attached JD for additional duties & information.
Person specification
Right to Work in the UK
The right to work in the UK is required. The post holder must provide valid UK passport or Share Code.
Essential Criteria
* UK Passport / Share Code
Education/Qualifications
* English and Maths GCSE or equivalent (e.g., Functional Skills)
* Full Care Certificate
Desirable criteria
* NVQ Level 3 or above in Health and Social Care
* Level 3 Children’s Safeguarding training
* Annual Restraint Training (PMVA/PPI)
* Specific training in CYP Mental Health (e.g., E‑Learning for Health Mental Health training / We Can Talk training)
Knowledge
* Awareness of mental‑health conditions in Children and Young People
* Knowledge of Children’s safeguarding procedures
* Understanding of confidentiality and consent issues
* Ability to deliver age‑appropriate therapeutic interventions
* Understanding of how neurodiversity may present in children and young people
* Awareness of ASD / ADHD and how to support children, young people and their families when accessing health care settings
* IT literate
Desirable knowledge
* Knowledge of Children & Young Peoples Mental Health Legislation
* Awareness of all infection control issues
Skills/Experience
* 1 year experience in a Mental Health setting including experience working with Children & Young People
* The ability to request assistance from seniors and other team members when needed
* Having the working attributes of the 6Cs (Caring, Compassionate, Competent, Communication, Commitment and Courage)
* Ability to remain calm in a challenging environment
* Effective communication and interpersonal skills
* Ability to deal effectively with occasional exposure to highly distressing or emotional circumstances including resolving conflict and dealing with challenging behaviour
* Emotionally resilient to competing demands and complex case management
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