Mental Health Transport Assistant

Orcutt Labs, Inc.; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare transportation service is seeking a dedicated Mental Health Transport Assistant. You will provide safe transport for individuals facing mental health crises, working directly with patients in a compassionate manner. Full training is provided. The role requires strong communication skills, resilience, and the ability to manage sensitive information. This full-time position in Maidstone offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Company pension

Health Care Cash Plan

Career progression opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Uniform and enhanced PPE

Qualifications

• Experience in a mental health care setting is a bonus but not required.
• Ability to apply de-escalation techniques in high-pressure situations.
• Strong attention to detail and team player mentality.

Responsibilities

• Support transport needs for individuals under the Mental Health Act.
• Supervise and assist during patient transfers and assessments.

Skills

Empathy

Communication skills

Resilience

Education

Full UK Manual Driving License

Enhanced DBS certificate

Job description

Overview

Mental Health Transport Assistant Full Time (40.3 hours/week)

Location: The Old Stables, Tonbridge Road, Mereworth, Maidstone, ME18 5LR

Reports To: Deputy Care Operations Manager (DCOM)

Job Type: Full-time and Flexi

Shift Pattern: 4 on / 4 off (alternating between 4 days and 4 nights)

Pay: Blended rate of £13.14 p/h (Annual Remuneration starting from £27,580.26 based on expected hours)

If you’re looking for a rewarding role in Mental Health Care, this is your opportunity! Working in healthcare allows you to make a real difference in people’s lives during their most vulnerable moments.

We are seeking compassionate and dedicated Mental Health Transport Assistants to join our growing team. Experience is a bonus, but not essential. Full training is provided. We’re looking for empathetic individuals who thrive in a team environment and are committed to providing respectful, person‑centred care.

This role involves far more than driving. You’ll be working directly with patients, ensuring their safe and dignified transport, often during mental health crises. Situations may require you to apply de‑escalation techniques and trained interventions, always prioritising patient wellbeing.

This is a highly unpredictable and emotionally demanding role, often supporting individuals in distress or crisis. Candidates must demonstrate compassion, patience, and emotional resilience. You will need to manage sensitive and sometimes distressing information, adapt quickly to changing situations, and maintain professionalism in high‑pressure environments. In return, you will be part of a supportive and inclusive team making a meaningful difference every day.

Equal Opportunities

Secure Care UK is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Responsibilities

• Support a range of transport needs involving individuals detained under the Mental Health Act, including:
• Hospital transfers, court or prison escorts, and medical appointments
• House extractions under Section 135, working alongside police and mental health professionals to safely move patients from their home to a place of safety
• Community assessments, supporting local authority mental health reviews in people’s homes
• Bed watch services, where you supervise and support admitted patients during hospital stays
• Suite Work, providing care and supervision for patients held in psychiatric suites under Section 136 or 135
• You will work in crews of two or more, rotating between driving, escorting, and sitting with patients. We use secure, specially-adapted vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, with larger Safe Area Vehicles for more complex transfers.

Requirements

• Full UK Manual Driving License (Required)
• Enhanced DBS certificate within the last 3 years (Preferred)
• Strong communication skills and ability to stay calm under pressure
• Team player with resilience, empathy, and great attention to detail
• Minimum 12 months driving experience preferred

About Us

Secure Care UK was founded in 2013 in response to a national need for safe and compassionate transport for individuals detained under the Mental Health Act. We are the only Secure Patient Transport provider in the UK meeting Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) standards. Headquartered in St Leonards, we operate nationally and also handle some international transfers. Celebrating 10 years of service in 2023, our core values remain: Patient First, Respect, Openness, Unity, and Determination.

What We Offer

• Training & Development
• Full induction including de-escalation, physical intervention, handcuff training, and First Aid
• Additional specialist training and NVQ Diplomas
• Career progression and mentoring opportunities
• Benefits
• Company pension & cycle-to-work scheme
• Refer-a-friend bonus
• Health Care Cash Plan (after 6-month probation)
• Blue Light Card eligibility
• Employee Assistance Programme (from day one)
• Full uniform and enhanced PPE
• Additional annual leave after 2 years
• Wagestream financial wellbeing platform
• Monthly Care Awards and driver recognition schemes
• Suggestion scheme with rewards for implemented ideas

Please Note Due to the nature of our work, flexibility is essential. Shifts may overrun or vary depending on patient needs.

Overtime is paid at £22 p/h, with enhanced pay (£1.20 p/h) for work involving Place of Safety and Bed Watch. Additional shift enhancements of £1.75 p/h may apply for call-ins or extra shifts.

If you’re passionate about making a difference and supporting people through challenging times, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and start a meaningful career with Secure Care UK.

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