Health Care Support Workers - Mental Health and Physical

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Pennington; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare organization in Pennington is seeking Healthcare Support Workers to provide support in mental health services. This role entails working closely with patients, providing essential care and assistance as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Ideal candidates will offer compassion and communication skills, with opportunities for training and career advancement. A GCSE in Maths and English is required, along with a qualification in Health and Social Care.

Benefits

Structured induction

On-the-job training

Career development programs

Qualifications

• GCSE in Maths and English or equivalent is mandatory.
• Qualification at Level 2 in Health and Social Care or relevant subject is required.

Responsibilities

• Support service users to build independence and develop daily living skills.
• Act as a role model for colleagues and assist qualified staff as directed.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills to ensure appropriate care and support.

Skills

Compassion

Excellent communication

Flexibility

Education

GCSE in Maths and English or equivalent

Qualification at Level 2 in Health and Social Care

Job description

Go back Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Health Care Support Workers - Mental Health and Physical

The closing date is 02 November 2025

Looking for a role where you can make a difference and build a future in healthcare? Start your NHS Career as a Healthcare Support Worker!

The role is an excellent entry point into the NHS, offering hands‑on experience, full training and opportunities for career progression, including access to nursing and occupational therapy apprenticeships.

You’ll work closely with patients, their families and carers, playing a vital part in ensuring everyone who uses our services has a positive and supportive experience. As part of a multi‑disciplinary team, you’ll work alongside nurses, activity coordinators, social workers, occupational therapists and psychiatrists, offering you a unique chance to learn from different specialties every day. Every shift is an opportunity to develop your knowledge.

You’ll bring compassion and commitment, and we’ll equip you with:

• A structured two‑day induction
• On‑the‑job training
• Opportunities to complete recognised care qualifications
• Access to career development programmes
• Mentoring and ongoing support

We ask for flexibility to work a variety of shifts including weekends, nights and bank holidays, and in return you’ll gain experience, knowledge and opportunities that can open doors across the NHS. During your application, you can indicate your preferred specialty and location.

Gain real NHS experience, learn from dedicated professionals and begin building your long‑term healthcare career – it all starts here.

Main duties of the job

This role offers a clear career pathway, with opportunities to progress to Senior Health Care Support Worker and Associate Practitioner positions.

• Work as an integral member of a multi‑disciplinary team, supporting service users to build independence and develop daily living skills, including personal hygiene, diet and fluids and participation in social or leisure activities as outlined in their Care Plan.
• Provide support in risk management, develop therapeutic relationships and help individuals lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.
• Act as a role model for colleagues, offering guidance and support to new or less experienced team members.
• Assist and support qualified staff, carrying out assigned tasks as directed, without supervision. This will include housekeeping duties where required.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills, using them to engage, persuade or negotiate with clients with complex or challenging needs to ensure they receive the most appropriate care and support.

Mental Health Services

• Forensic Services – Ravenswood House B2 & B3 & Southfield
• Children & Adolescent Mental Health – Bluebird House & Serenity Path Hospital
• Secure Adult Mental Health – The Orchards at St James Hospital and Cherry at Parklands (Cherry is female only unit)

Physical Health Services

• Lymington New Forest Hospital

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. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone – if, as a potential candidate, you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team – detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible.

We are happy to talk Flexible Working – all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.

Person Specification – Qualifications

• GCSE in Maths and English or equivalent.
• Qualification at Level 2 or in Health and Social.
• Care or other relevant subject.

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