Joining #TeamNELFT means you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We’re CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London, Essex, Kent and Medway. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas.

The Trust has award winning equality and diversity initiatives and staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest heavily in your development, because when you are valued and supported, we provide the best care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been featured in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for three consecutive years, and we have achieved a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Along with our staff networks and training opportunities, we work hard to embed a just and compassionate culture here at NELFT.

Find out more about NELFT careers and what makes our Trust a great place to work, in this video

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen on our Adolescent inpatient ward for a Band 3 Healthcare Support Worker position, this is a full time permanent position. 

Brookside is a 15 bedded adolescent ward based at Goodmayes for young people between the ages of 13-17. The service hosts patients who are informal and those who are detained under section 2 and 3 of the MHA for assessment/treatment.

This provides an exciting environment which gives our service users an opportunity to start their recovery journey

Greater opportunities for implementation of new ideas and setting standards in line with NELFT values

The post holder will be joining a multi-disciplinary team which is committed to the provision of high-quality patient centred care for all who use the service.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will ideally have previous experience of working with mental health issues and have basic knowledge of neuro-divergent diagnosis ( Autism and Learning Difficulties) The role will involve supporting nursing staff during admissions, carrying out some clinical observations, taking responsibility for the safety of the ward by making sure the ward environment is safe for service users , escorting service users to their appointments and completing care plan and many more.

Brookside has a multi-disciplinary team which comprises of a Matron and Ward Manager, Deputies, Clinical Leads, staff nurses and Support Workers.

Working for our organisation

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).

Starting with NELFT

NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focussing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

High-Cost Area Supplement

This post also attracts payment for High-Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (minimum payment of £4,551 and a maximum payment of £5,735) (pro rata for part time staff).

Use of AI

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You should have well-developed communication skills with patients/ colleagues and be able to provide an initial response to patient and other agencies queries, concerns, and signpost/direct as appropriate. You will also be able to prioritise your work, be a team player, use your initiative and meet deadlines. Health care support workers are expected to chair community meetings, host activities, engage with families and will be included as part of the young persons core team. Health Care support workers are also expected to write care plans with support of the nursing staff and align their practise in accordance with the young persons care plan.

All staff are expected to undertake safeguarding supervision every 3 months and clinical supervision monthly.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer closely to this when completing your application.

We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Any development needs to help you succeed in the role, can be discussed at the interview stage.

Person specification

Essential

Essential criteria

NVQ level 3 or equivalent standard of literacy and numeracy Educated to GCSE level Experience of working within a team Experience of working to/being accountable to more than one person Experience of supporting people with their personal care

Desirable criteria

Experience of working in an NHS environment Able to communicate well verbally and in writing Ability to work alone and as part of a team Ability to prioritise and to work under pressure while maintaining standards Shortlisting Good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with people at all levels

Knowledge

Essential criteria

Demonstrates a commitment to further learning and development Compliance with mandatory training Compliance with clinical and safeguarding supervision

Desirable criteria

Knowledge of patient/client conditions relevant to the community setting Knowledge of basic support interventions Knowledge of least restrictive practise

Desirable

Essential criteria

Awareness of relevant nursing techniques Awareness of mental health illnesses in camhs Health, safety and risk awareness in care settings

Desirable criteria

Relevant experience in a healthcare setting and base level of theoretic knowledge Understand need for patient confidentiality Empathy for different client groups

Benefits

We believe in bringing your authentic and best self to work, in order to deliver the best care to our patients. We are committed to supporting our employees holistically. Here is a snapshot of what is on offer at NELFT:

A long-standing and award-winning approach to equality and diversity with supportive networks for ethnic minority staff, staff with disabilities or long term/chronic conditions and LGBT staff. A commitment to supporting colleagues to achieve a work life balance, through flexible working opportunities and our effortsto support our working parents and carers. This has resulted in us being recognised as a ‘Top 10 Family Friendly Employer’ from the Working Families Charity. Proactive health and wellbeing support, including access to our employee assistance programme, staff psychological support, individual wellbeing conversations and a network of health and wellbeing ambassadors. Detailed information about our wellbeing and benefits offer can be found in this link.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that’s a job share, part time hours or another flexible pattern.