Bank Mental Health Support Worker - Older Peoples Mental Health

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is looking for a Bank Mental Health Support Worker to provide flexible shift cover for elderly care services. Recent experience in NHS inpatient mental health settings is essential. The role offers competitive pay, eligibility for NHS benefits, and the opportunity to choose your preferred shifts. Applicants must complete a mandatory training course and undergo a DBS check.

Benefits

Access to NHS pension scheme

Monthly or weekly pay options

Paid annual leave

Comprehensive induction and training

Qualifications

• Recent experience within an NHS inpatient mental health setting.
• Evidence of the completion of the Care Certificate.
• Minimum of three shifts per month required.

Responsibilities

• Providing shift flexibility across older people’s services.
• Covering staffing gaps in various services as needed.
• Undertaking necessary training courses.

Skills

Experience in NHS inpatient mental health settings

Ability to work independently

Completion of Care Certificate

Willingness to complete PMVA course

Job description

Overview

A Vacancy at Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust.

Are you looking for flexibility that suits your lifestyle? If so, becoming a Dorset HealthCare Bank Worker will be right for you. Join our Trust as a Bank Mental Health Support Worker, providing shift flexibility across our older people’s services to fill staffing gaps. Consideration for working in our other adult and adolescent services will be given to those with experience. Due to the nature of the role, recent experience of working within an NHS acute inpatient mental health hospital is essential. Working on the bank will allow you to choose the location and shift patterns that suit you. Shifts can become available in advance, as well as at short notice, so you can plan-ahead or pick up a shift on the day through our electronic system or by speaking with our Bank team.

As well as competitive rates of pay you’ll be eligible for many of the benefits offered to substantive staff. These include:

• Access to the NHS pension scheme
• An NHS badge entitling you to many NHS benefits
• Sign up for a blue light discount card
• Unsocial hours enhancements (where applicable)
• Paid annual leave as a percentage of work completed
• Monthly or weekly pay – your choice
• A comprehensive induction and ongoing mandatory training

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

What we need from you

• Recent experience within an NHS inpatient mental health setting. Nursing home/care home experience is NOT sufficient for this role.
• Evidence of the completion of the Care Certificate.
• Someone used to working independently in a care setting with a minimum level of support
• A minimum of three shifts per month
• You will be required to undertake a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course and it is a condition of your engagement that you successfully complete all aspects of this course; if this is not achieved you will not be able to commence working in the post. This is a five-day course and must be passed to work within our in-patient settings. (please see link)
• PMVA is a prerequisite to working within our mental health inpatient areas.
• PMVA certificates will be released on request after Bank workers have completed 25 clinical shifts.
• Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

About Dorset HealthCare

At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people. We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves. Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. You’ll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Application guidance

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please contact [e-mail]

This advert closes on Tuesday 18 Nov 2025