Healthcare Support Worker

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is looking for a dedicated Healthcare Support Worker to join a forensic unit in Shrewsbury. You will engage with service users, support their mental health recovery, and assist in daily activities. This role involves working closely with nurses and requires a good understanding of mental health and forensic services. Ideal candidates will possess NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care and previous healthcare experience. The position offers a competitive salary of £24,465 annually, with opportunities for career growth and support.

Benefits

Excellent NHS Pension scheme

Generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave

Options for flexible working

Up to 27 days annual leave plus purchase options

Health and Wellbeing support

Free flu vaccinations every year

Qualifications

• Good basic education required for effective communication.
• NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care to provide informed support.

Responsibilities

• Support nurses to ensure safe ward operation.
• Facilitate activities for service users on leave.
• Conduct 1 to 1 sessions for rapport-building.
• Participate in staff and workers meetings.
• Assist service users with self-care and personal care.
• Promote skills development and quality of life.

Skills

Understanding of mental health

Understanding of forensic services

Previous healthcare experience

Education

Good basic education

NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care

Job description

Job Summary

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn.

Healthcare support worker within the low secure Forensic directorate***.

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Specialist Low Secure Forensic Service on Yew ward based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Yew ward is a low secure 12‑bedded male acute unit.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, self‑motivated and innovative individual, who can support men on the unit in their mental health recovery.

Your role will aim to build a therapeutic relationship with service users on the ward and support them in all tasks of daily life to improve their health and wellbeing and quality of life.

Due to the nature of the unit, successful candidates will be professional and be able to care for someone in a non‑judgemental approach. Both wards are forensic units, therefore risk assessing in a big part of the role to ensure safety of service users and staff. A big part of the role includes balancing risk and least restrictive practice.

Some tasks will include 1 to 1 working, supporting nurses, supporting service users to keep active and therapeutic observations of service users.

Increasing service user engagement is a big part of the role. Here on Yew, individualised care in paramount to ensure they get the right care.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will support the nurses on the ward within a close team to ensure safe running of the ward and patient‑centred care at all times. The post holder will have opportunity to work closely with service users and contribute to the wider multi‑disciplinary team.

This role requires the post holder to be able to document in an accurate and timely fashion.

Due to the nature of forensic mental health working, the post holder will be offered both managerial and clinical supervision and regular support from the team.

This is an opportunity for the post holder to work within a specialist team including a variety of disciplines with a wide range of knowledge and expertise.

Healthcare support workers are required to work a regular rotation of night shifts, long days, alternative weekend working and working bank holidays - including Christmas and New Year.

About Us

• Supporting your career development and progression
• Excellent NHS Pension scheme
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Options for flexible working
• Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) and the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
• If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
• Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
• Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
• Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
• Free car parking at all trust sites
• Free flu vaccinations every year
• Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Details

Date posted: 01 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: 2

Salary: £24,465 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time

Reference number: 301‑LBG‑25‑7643230

Job location: Yew ward, Redwoods Centre, Shrewsbury, SY3 8DS

Job responsibilities

• Supporting the nurses in a team to safely run the ward
• Facilitate activities and support service users on section 17 leave
• Facilitate 1 to 1 sessions and build a rapport with our service users
• Involvement in both staff meetings and workers meetings
• Supporting service users with self‑care and limited personal care
• Support service users to build on their skills and promote quality of life
• Keeping up to date on mandatory and essential training
• Support service users with their physical health and give advice on healthier living
• Completing supportive and therapeutic observations

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• Good basic education
• NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care

Essential Experience

• Understanding of mental health
• Understanding of forensic services
• Previous healthcare experience

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 details

Employer name: Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Yew ward, Redwoods Centre, Shrewsbury, SY3 8DS

Employer's website: https://www.mpft.nhs.uk