Senior Care Assistant (Relief) based at Rushden Park, Rushden

MHA; Rushden; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days holiday including bank

Pension and life assurance

Free DBS checks and uniforms

Counselling and hardship fund

Flexible annual leave options

Discounts via Blue Light Card and Vivu

Induction and ongoing training

Long service awards

Job summary

MHA's Rushden Park care home seeks a Senior Care Assistant (Relief) to support the Home Manager and senior team in delivering high-quality, person-centred care. You will lead shifts, supervise staff, and ensure safe, compassionate care for residents.

You will contribute to regulatory compliance, care planning, and activities that enhance residents' quality of life, while maintaining dignity and respect. The role involves flexibility for shifts and occasional travel for training.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a shift or deputising for a manager.
• Strong communication skills in both verbal and written form.
• Experience in care settings with a compassionate approach.
• Ability to lead, motivate and support a team.

Responsibilities

• Take temporary charge during shifts and deputise for other senior colleagues.
• Lead, supervise and develop care and ancillary staff to meet standards.
• Provide hands-on care and health supervision promoting dignity and choice.
• Support Home Manager with regulatory requirements, including record-keeping/audits.
• Assist with medication administration as delegated under policy.
• Contribute to care planning and meaningful activities for residents.
• Conduct regular 1:1s, supervisions and appraisals as per policy.
• Promote health, safety, fire safety, infection prevention.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

IT skills

Team motivation

Care experience

Shift deputisation

Education

A Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care

Tools

Email

Office software

Job description

Senior Care Assistant (Relief) based at Rushden Park, Rushden

For this role, we are currently considering candidates who live within approximately 15 miles of the Care Home. This ensures commutes are manageable and support your wellbeing and work-life balance. If you live outside this area but would still find the commute manageable, please get in touch - we are happy to review individual circumstances.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced, compassionate Senior Care Assistant to join our team at MHA. This is a key leadership role within the home, supporting the Home Manager and senior team to deliver high-quality, person-centred care and to lead, motivate and develop care colleagues.

As a Senior Care Assistant, you will take charge during shifts, including deputising for other senior colleagues when required. You will lead by example, support safe and effective care delivery, and help create a warm, respectful environment where residents can live well and with dignity.

What you will do

• Take temporary charge of the home during the absence of other senior colleagues, ensuring safe and effective day-to-day running.
• Lead, support and supervise care and ancillary staff, helping them reach required standards and develop their skills.
• Provide hands-on care and health supervision to residents when required, always promoting dignity, privacy and choice.
• Support the Home Manager in meeting statutory, regulatory and organisational requirements, including record-keeping and audits.
• Administer medication in line with the Medication Policy where delegated.
• Support care planning, key working and the development of meaningful activities that enhance residents’ quality of life.
• Carry out or support regular 1:1s, supervisions and appraisals in line with policy.
• Promote good practice in health & safety, fire safety, food safety and infection prevention.
• Be flexible to cover care shifts, on-call duties and occasional travel for meetings or training.

About you

We are looking for someone who is confident, organised and committed to high standards of care.

You will bring:

• Previous experience working in a care setting.
• Experience of leading a shift or deputising for a manager.
• Good IT skills, including use of email and basic office systems.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• The ability to lead, motivate and support a team.
• Sensitivity to the needs of older people and an inclusive approach to care.
• A Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (or equivalent) is desirable, or a willingness to work towards this.

You will be joining an organisation with strong values, a supportive culture and a genuine commitment to helping people live later life well. At MHA, Senior Care Assistants play a vital role in shaping the quality of care and supporting both residents and colleagues to thrive.

Rewards and benefits

In addition to a competitive hourly rate, you will enjoy:

• 28 days holiday (including bank holidays) and an option to buy annual leave (pro-rota for part time)
• A strong pension scheme and life assurance
• Free DBS checks and uniforms
• Confidential counselling, chaplaincy support and access to our hardship fund
• Flexible options to buy or sell annual leave, plus family-friendly policies
• Discounts through the Blue Light Card, Health Service Discounts and the Vivup app
• A full induction, ongoing training, recognised qualifications and clear progression opportunities
• Long service awards to celebrate your contribution

About the home

Rushden Park care home in Rushden

Rushden Park is a modern and welcoming nursing home where colleagues support residents with a range of needs in a safe and comfortable setting. The team atmosphere is positive and collaborative, helping new colleagues feel included and encouraged from day one.

Colleagues work together to provide high quality, person centred care that respects dignity and independence. A varied activities programme and spacious gardens give colleagues opportunities to be creative and to build meaningful relationships with residents.

For job seekers looking to develop their skills in nursing and residential care, Rushden Park offers a supportive environment, clear shared purpose and the chance to make a real difference.

Where the role requires a Standard or Enhanced DBS check, the successful candidate will be required to join and maintain membership of the DBS Update Service. MHA will pay for the DBS check and will provide an additional payment through payroll equivalent to the standard annual Update Service subscription fee. Further details will be provided during onboarding.

Please note that interviews may take place prior to the closing date and if a suitable candidate is appointed the role may close early.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

MHA are fully committed to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) as this is embedded in our values: respect, nurture and inspire. In addition, as a committed employer we have been awarded level 2 under the Disability Confident Scheme.

Please note that interviews may take place prior to the closing date and if a suitable candidate is appointed the role may close early.