Mental Health Transport Assistant

Secure Care UK - Bases; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialized mental health transport provider in Maidstone seeks a Mental Health Transport Assistant. This full-time position involves transporting individuals during mental health crises and requires a full UK driving license. The ideal candidate is compassionate, dedicated, and committed to providing respectful, person-centered care. Training is provided, and the role offers a competitive salary with various benefits including career progression opportunities.

Benefits

Company pension

Cycle-to-work scheme

Career progression opportunities

Health Care Cash Plan

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Full UK Manual Driving License is required.
• Enhanced DBS certificate within the last 3 years preferred.
• Minimum 12 months’ driving experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support hospital transfers, court escorts, and medical appointments.
• Work alongside police and mental health professionals for patient extractions.
• Assist in community assessments for local authority mental health reviews.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Empathy

Attention to detail

Calmness under pressure

Team player

Education

Full UK Manual Driving License

Job description

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Mental Health Transport Assistant, Maidstone

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Client:

Secure Care UK - Bases

Location:

Maidstone, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

daf34af8d789

Job Views:

Posted:

Expiry Date:

26.09.2025

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Job Description:

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.

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.

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What You’ll Be Doing

You will 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, often for up to 24–36 hours

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.

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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

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Who We Are

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.

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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
• 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.