Care Support Worker

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS Trust in the UK seeks a Care Support Worker to join the Integrated Community Stroke Rehabilitation Team in Barnsley. The role involves delivering compassionate care, supporting rehabilitation, and working collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team. Candidates should possess strong communication skills and a commitment to patient welfare. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship but welcomes applications from candidates with the right to work in the UK.

Qualifications

• Evidence of working in a caring environment or voluntary position.
• Ability to fulfill Occupational Health requirements for the post.

Responsibilities

• Provide safe and compassionate care to patients.
• Support service users with personal care duties.
• Assist in delivering rehabilitation programs.
• Manage personal safety and respond to emergencies.

Skills

Communication skills

Motivation

Flexibility

Time management

Compassion

Education

Level 2 health and social care qualification

Care Certificate or willingness to achieve

Good standard of English and maths

Job description

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Care Support Worker

The closing date is 01 December 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen to be part of the Integrated Community Stroke Rehabilitation Team in Barnsley.

The service provides care to patients following a Stroke in both inpatient & community setting. It enables patients to access rehabilitation therapy upon discharge home, with the same intensity & expertise that they would receive in hospital. The Integrated team allows for Stroke specific therapy to be continued as required for a maximum period of 6 months.

Successful candidates will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team of nursing & allied health professionals in an inpatient setting carrying out designated duties in a competent manner. It is essential that candidates have the ability to use their own initiative, have good communication skills & are able to manage their time effectively.

At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, we are unable to sponsor anyone for a skilled worker visa for this role.

We are happy to accept applications from candidates who can prove their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes. Such applications will be considered alongside all other applications.

Main duties of the job

As Care Support Worker you will:

• Work as part of a Multi Professional Team in an inpatient setting providing the highest standards of safe & compassionate planned care to people that maximises their recovery & rehabilitation potential.
• Carry out programs of rehabilitation set by therapists and nursing team.
• Have excellent communication skills to support & motivate patients to participate in their rehabilitation.
• Have a desire to work in NHS, be motivated, flexible, have excellent communication & time management skills.
• Participate in training, education & clinical supervision to develop skills & knowledge & apply continuous reflection on own practice.
• Work as part of a team.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We strongly discourage this and 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.

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 value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means we are accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we 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 expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve the 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:

• Undertake the supervision of registered healthcare professionals/associate practitioner, within an allocated framework for agreed tasks, be aware of and able to address the basic, routine therapeutic, psychological and physical needs of a defined group of people.
• As part of the healthcare team, provide the highest standards of care and compassionate planned care to people that maximises their recovery and rehabilitation potential.
• Support service users with personal care duties (bathing, toileting, dressing, support with meals, assist patients with their appearance).
• Assist clinicians in supporting people to carry out everyday tasks.
• Support in the delivery of the service in performing routine administration or housekeeping tasks.
• Develop and maintain meaningful therapeutic relationships with people. Adopt a polite, positive and empathetic approach, providing and receiving routine information appropriately.
• Ensure the care experienced is positive and service user safety is maintained. Treat everyone, e.g., service users, their relatives, visitors, colleagues etc., with respect, dignity and courtesy and in accordance with the Trust’s Values.
• Follow and ensure routine care is provided in accordance with well-established policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines and established clinical care plans.
• Undertake the physical aspects of care e.g., moving and handling of service users. Use items of equipment in delivering care e.g., hoists, wheelchairs etc. (as appropriate to the role), ensuring appropriate instruction on their use has been received.
• Be required to concentrate for periods of time, depending upon the care intervention/care plan. That includes undertaking personal care, engaging with service users, documentation and raising issues of concern appropriately.
• Participate in a flexible rostering arrangement providing 24-hour/7-day care, (as appropriate to the role).
• Be able to respond to verbal / physical aggression or challenging behaviour (including risk to self); recognising and responding to changes in presentation, including reporting to a clinician as required in order to maintain own personal safety and accessing support for service users. Respond appropriately to emergency situations.
• Identify and manage risks, including assessment of moving and handling, using local policies and procedures. Is aware of the environment in which they work and how to maintain safety for themselves and others.
• The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the post holder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

To deliver excellent levels of customer service to people, and support and report, in a timely and proactive manner, where these standards have not been met.

Under the supervision of a health care professional/ (associate practitioner if part of the team) for delegated tasks and in accordance with well-established procedures etc, provide a range of routine personal care to meet the needs of people.

Prioritise own day-to-day delegated tasks/activities, refer and seek guidance/supervision on issues outside own level of competency from more senior health care practitioners.

Contribute towards and engage in the initial assessment/admission and development/implementation of clinical care packages/plans to help maximise service user recovery/rehabilitation potential. Contribute and engage with subsequent discharges.

Clearly, accurately and contemporaneously, contribute to care documentation and other service user information in written and electronic format. Be competent in basic IT skills.

Assist in meeting service user needs, e.g., emotional, personal, dietary, environmental etc, ensuring their privacy, dignity, rights and choices are maintained at all times. Support individuals to self-manage their own health and social wellbeing and promote individuals positive self-esteem and sense of identity.

Able to respond to verbal / physical aggression, in order to maintain own personal safety and accessing support for service users.

Assist in the support of individuals who exhibit challenging behaviour or present a significant imminent risk to themselves or others. Recognise and respond to changes in their presentation, including reporting the issue to a registered health practitioner/associate practitioner as required. Respond appropriately to any emergency situations.

Ensure own actions reduce risks to health and safety and all possible steps are taken to help safeguard the welfare, safety and security of people by helping to identify, manage and appropriately report risks.

Use effective verbal/written communication at all times, understanding the communication need of others and adapting communication style accordingly. Actively listens and receives information, gives and acts on feedback.

Work with sensitivity and an understanding of issues experienced by serviceusers and following training, using a trauma informed approach.

Ensure moving and handling of people/loads is carried out in a safe and effective manner in accordance with policy and training as directed by a registered health care professional/associate practitioner.

Work in a flexible and collaborative manner with others. Adapting to the needs of the service, despite any demands on attention.

Develop awareness of the roles and contributions of other care providers in and outside of the team, ensuring a respectful and active role towards those who are significant to the service user to play an active role in their care.

Support the Trusts culture of commitment to delivering quality services and outcomes.

Seek to improve own knowledge and understanding of health and social care services, particularly with regard to own area of work and service users.

Make use of opportunities for sharing good practice and learning.

Where the post is aligned with a development to Band 3 post, fully engage with the development plan.

Undertake any additional duties deemed appropriate to the role.

• 1.2 Working as part of a Team: Work within other clinical areas as the clinical situation and staffing levels require.
• As part of a team, deliver person centred care whilst meeting the service standards and objectives.
• Provide and receive routine service user information, using tact, reassurance, empathy and persuasive skills as required.
• Participate in ward/department/team meetings and support quality improvement.
• Assist in projects, including audit and quality initiatives pertinent to the role as directed.
• Assist in the orientation/induction of new support workers to enable them to develop the skills and knowledge required for their role.
• Assist, together with the team, in the achieving/improving service/quality standards.
• Be competent in using and ensure proper use of Trust, equipment, materials, property and resources.
• Actively engage in good team working/building to facilitate effective relationships, cohesiveness and staff morale.
• 1.3 Managing Self: Participate in clinical supervision to develop skills and knowledge of clinical care and practice and apply continuous reflection on own practice.
• Undertake timely and appropriate mandatory training, study days, in-service training programmes and keep up to date with changes in operational procedures and developments in clinical practice.
• Seek advice and support from your line manager, registered health care professional (or associate practitioner) whenever necessary.
• Develop knowledge and basic understanding of and comply with all service/Trust policies and procedures and relevant legislation relevant to the clinical area. This could include The Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Equality Act, Children’s Act.
• Be aware of own responsibility for ensuring safe infection prevention and control by using protective equipment, safe disposal of healthcare waste, performing hand hygiene, cleaning, disinfecting etc.
• Promote a positive image of the Service/Trust.
• Actively participate in the appraisal process using it as a positive means of improving self-awareness, development and work practice.
• Act within own sphere of competence at all times as determined by the job description and skills set for the role.
• 1.4 Management Supervision and Support: The post holder has no managerial supervision responsibility but is expected to be a good example to other HCSWs.
• Use Trust resources efficiently and suggest efficiency savings to more senior staff.
• Be aware of the safekeeping of Trust, service user, visitors etc, property. Any concern regarding misuse should be raised immediately with more senior staff.
• For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.

Person Specification

Experience

• Able to evidence working in a caring environment or in a voluntary position.
• In dealing with the public.

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).

Training

• Must be willing/able to undertake all Trust mandatory training requirements, including the care certificate and subsequent refresher training relevant to the area.
• Must be willing/able to undergo development and training. (including a level 2 qualification in health and social care, if eligible) to enable progression to band 3 HCSW.

Personal Attributes

• Must embrace Trust Values.
• Compassionate, caring and have a genuine desire to work for the NHS.
• Responsive attitude and approach.
• Dress appropriately for the environment
• Ability to commute between various sites or a current driving licence and access to a car (dependant on post) during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Qualifications

• Good standard of English and maths, i.e. ability to demonstrate entry level 3 upwards, including level 1 / 2 qualification, GCSE A - G/1 - 9.
• Care Certificate or required to achieve within 12 weeks of commencement.
• Level 2 health and social care qualification.

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Understanding of importance of customer care skills.
• Basic IT/keyboard skills.
• Understands importance of confidentiality.
• Resilient and able to remain calm under pressure.
• Enthusiastic, able to work flexibly on a 24hr shift pattern to meet the needs of service users (as required).
• Non-judgemental, empathetic manner.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Able to engage fully in the development programme if identified as part of the post.
• Language skills other than English.
• Have some understanding of people who have experienced ill health.

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