Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Health Care Support Worker
The closing date is 01 February 2026
We are seeking to recruit a positive, motivated, and compassionate previous experience Mental Health Support worker band 2, who is committed to the principles of recovery, to work as part of the multidisciplinary Residential Rehabilitation and stepdown unit (completion of care from acute unit) Team at Forest Lodge. This role will include both inpatient and community based work.
Forest Lodge is an 18‑beded unit near Southampton City Centre supporting 6 female residents and 12 male residents in a communal living environment. At the unit, we proactively support residents experiencing mental health and associated difficulties to improve and/or maintain their health and well‑being, social inclusion, and to promote the principles of recovery, choice, and personalisation at all times.
This exciting opportunity will enable the successful candidate to gain experience of supporting people to develop, retain or regain independent living skills that have been disrupted through the experience of living with mental illness. The Mental Health Support worker will have an opportunity to facilitate groups as well as 1:1 sessions both at the unit and in community settings, working alongside a wide variety of agencies and organisations in Southampton and Hampshire.
Main duties of the job
* Assess, plan, implement and evaluate the recovery and care needs of residents.
* Lead shifts, and maintain the safety and effectiveness of the ward environment within the overall framework of the service’s policies and procedures.
* Work under the direction and supervision of qualified staff.
* Observe, report and record changes in the service user’s physical health, mental health and behaviour.
* Provide care as planned in the multi‑disciplinary team (MDT) meetings.
* Be aware of and work to the principles of the Mental Health Act (MHA).
* Provide the necessary physical care to help service users complete daily living activities (personal hygiene, diet, fluid intake, clothing, laundry, personal environment, elimination, rest, sleep and activity, physical observations).
* Provide social activities, emotional support and stability to ensure effective engagement whilst maintaining professional boundaries.
* Contribute in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care.
* Create and maintain professional supportive relationships with all members of staff, other professionals and agencies to enhance recovery.
About us
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a newly established organisation, bringing together expertise from across mental health, learning disabilities, community, and physical health services. We are dedicated to delivering compassionate, high‑quality, and accessible care to the diverse communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
With over 13,000 dedicated staff working across more than 300 sites, we place patients and staff at the centre of everything we do. Our goal is to create an integrated healthcare system that improves accessibility and ensures more consistent care for patients. By working together, we aim to improve patient outcomes, drive innovation, and meet the unique needs of the populations we serve.
Our Trust unites services from Southern Health, Solent NHS Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trusts, community and mental health teams, as well as Hampshire CAMHS, originally part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This transformation enables us to deliver more seamless care across the region, ensuring that patients receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are deeply committed to our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence, and offer outstanding opportunities for career development, training, and collaborative working.
Job responsibilities
Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached.
Happy to talk flexible working – all requests for flexible and part‑time working will be considered.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Numeracy and Literacy Skills Level 2 (GCSE grade A–C)
* Level 2 Computer Literacy Qualification, e.g. ECDL or equivalent.
* Commitment to Lifelong Learning.
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
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
£24,465 to £24,465 a year – based on full‑time hours
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