Learning Disabilities Health Care Support Worker

Lancashire Care Foundation Trust; Preston; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK healthcare provider in Preston is seeking Health Care Support Workers for a new mental health inpatient unit. In this role, you will support the Multi-Disciplinary Team in delivering person-centered care to adults with learning disabilities. Responsibilities include interacting with patients, maintaining effective communication within the team, and enabling patient participation in activities. Opportunities for professional development are also available. Closing date for applications is February 11, 2026.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in health care support roles is beneficial.
• Ability to engage with patients compassionately.
• Strong communication skills to interact effectively.

Responsibilities

• Ensure a friendly and helpful attitude to patients and visitors.
• Enable patients to participate in leisure activities.
• Maintain effective working relationships with the multidisciplinary team.
• Provide verbal feedback to colleagues during handover.
• Interact with patients and provide information support.

Job description

Entry-level Band 3 roles will not be eligible for sponsorship as they do not meet the minimum salary threshold set by the Home Office.

Water Meadow View is a brand new mental health inpatient unit for adults who have learning disabilities, which is due to open in Winter 2025 on our site in Whittingham, Preston. As we prepare to open this unit, we have an exciting opportunity for Health Care Support Workers to join us and support the Multi-Disciplinary Team to deliver outstanding person centred care.

One of the Trust's aims is to deliver the best possible care to our patients, and this new inpatient unit will do just that. Water Meadow View will offer clinical excellence, support, and safety, with patient-centred care at its heart.

Working as an integrated member of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT), post holders will work within a rotational shift system to support patients according to their care needs, some of whom may present with distressed or challenging behaviour.

The post holder will contribute to and participate in the on-going support of patients and their carers. They will contribute to the health, safety and security of patients and their environment.

When you join us, you’ll be making a positive impact on the lives of people with a learning disabilities disability by delivering person centred, compassionate care, in a purpose built, co‑produced environment, with opportunities for you to learn and develop throughout your career.

Responsibilities

• Ensure a friendly and helpful attitude to patients, visitors and colleagues, at all times.
• Enable patients to maintain contacts in the community.
• Enable patients to participate in recreation and leisure activities>
• Maintain effective working relationships with the multidisciplinary team.
• Provide verbal feedback to colleagues regarding patient presentation during handover.
• Attend and participate in handovers.
• Interact with patients, providing information and using skills to overcome barriers in an empathic and reassuring manner.

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.

Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours, flexi‑time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview.

For more information please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT.

For more details on this vacancy please review the attached job description and person specification.

This advert closes on Wednesday 11 Feb 2026