Senior Health Care Assistant

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Senior Health Care Assistant at Charlton Lane Hospital. The role is full-time (37.5 hours) with potential rotational shifts and flexible working arrangements.

The post includes induction and mandatory training to support high-quality mental health care. You will work within three wards and contribute to safe, compassionate care, supervision, and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• NVQ level 3 or equivalent competency based training in a relevant health or social care area.
• Care Certificate.
• Significant experience in working in a mental health or social care setting.

Responsibilities

• Participate and assist in the delivery of care to patients and service users as part of a mental health and social care service.
• Follow the Code of Conduct for Health Care Assistants/Health Care Support Workers to provide safe, compassionate care of a high standard.
• Receive direct supervision, participate in reflective practice, and meet Care Certificate standards.
• Opportunities may arise to undertake a Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship alongside the substantive post.

Education

NVQ level 3 or equivalent competency based training in a relevant health or social care area

Care Certificate

Job description

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Health Care Assistant

The closing date is 02 November 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Health Care Assistant at Charlton lane Hospital. The Charlton Lane Hospital provides inpatient assessment and care for mental health service users requiring hospital admission for treatment across 3 in-patient wards: Chestnut Ward, is a 14 bedded ward for Older age Adults that have a functional mental illness; Mulberry ward, is an 18 bedded ward for older age adults that have a functional mental illness and Willow Ward, is a 16 bedded ward for predominantly older adults with an organic mental illness.

It would be desirable for the post holder to have experience in caring for elderly, facilitation of positive engagement and activities with people with dementia. The successful candidate would be supported by the unit manager in taking mandatory, statutory and dementia training.Upon commencing your post, you will participate in a comprehensive trust and unit induction which ensures that you feel skilled and supported to undertake this challenging job.

The posts are funded at 37.5 hours per week (full time) and could involve rotational shift system. 'Flexible' working arrangements will be considered. Any request will be set against genuine operational requirements and limitations and it is not obligatory for a manager to accede to the request.

If you do not hear from us within three weeks of the closing date you have probably not been shortlisted. We are sorry we are unable to let you know the outcome of your application.

Main duties of the job

As a Health Care Assistant/ Support Worker you will be responsible for participating and assisting in the delivery of care / services to patients and service users as part of a Mental Health and Social Care Health Service. Health Care Assistant and other Healthcare Support Workers employed by the Trust are required to follow the guidance set out in Code of Conduct for Health Care Assistants/ Health Care Support Workers to provide safe and compassionate care of a high standard, and to challenge others who are not. You will receive direct supervision and partake in reflective practice / training on a regular basis and be required to meet the Care Certificate standards.

About us

At Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, we are supportive of the people we care for in the community and aim to provide a fully responsive service to everyone who needs it. This is the same approach we take for our employees. We look to value the skills and experiences of those we work with, whether they are service users, carers, families or those looking to work with us.

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust is part of the NHS. We treat NHS patients according to NHS principles and standards. The difference is the Trust is accountable to local people, rather than to Government, and so we are able to work closely with our community to develop services in the way that best suits the needs of local people.

Our Staff Survey results showed people at our Trust feel they are engaged, part of a team and work for a compassionate and inclusive organisation.

Our overall scores were better than average in eight of nine themes and level in one - the best overall results for a community, mental health and learning disabilities Trust in the south west and first equal amongst all sector NHS providers within the region too.

Job responsibilities

The qualification, training & experience requirements for the role are underlined in the Job Description/Person Specification.

Please refer to the Additional Information attachment before submitting your application

As a Health Care Assistant/ Support Worker you will be responsible for participating and assisting in the delivery of care / services to patients and service users as part of a Mental Health and Social Care Health Service. Health Care Assistant, Social Care Workers and other Healthcare Support Workers employed by the Trust are required to follow the guidance set out in Code of Conduct for Health Care Assistants/ Health Care Support Workers to provide safe and compassionate care of a high standard, and to challenge others who are not.

You will receive direct supervision and partake in reflective practice / training on a regular basis and be required to meet the Care Certificate standards. All successful applicants will also have the opportunity to discuss the prospect of undertaking a Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship alongside their substantive post. This apprenticeship would include the Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare.

Gloucestershire Health and Care is committed to embedding and providing personalised care through all of its services as part of our high-quality care strategy. The purpose of personalised care is to empower people to lead the lives they want to live. Personalised care starts with a conversation with people about what matters to them. It builds on what people can do, as well as addressing their health needs. Including new ways of working and delivering care, emphasising that we need to make effective use of the full range of our peoples skills and experience to deliver the best possible patient care. So we want to know What Matters to You and that you will share our values and join us on this very important journey.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship as per the Governments UK VISA and Immigration Rules and Regulations. For more information please visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

To support compliance with UK immigration requirements, all applicants who require a visa to work in the UK must disclose their visa history in full. This includes current and previous sponsors, dates of sponsorship, visa category, and any changes of employment. If you are on a Graduate or Dependant Visa, please disclose the expiry date on your application. Incomplete information may mean we are unable to consider your application

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

• NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of competency based training in a relevant health or social care area
• Care Certificate

LENGTH AND / OR NATURE OF EXPERIENCE

• Significant experience of working in a mental health or social care setting
• Significant experience of working in a team and independently
• Experience in the support of patients living with dementia
• Experience of over 1 year in a care setting
• Experience of providing social and recreational activities

PROFESSIONAL / MANAGERIAL / SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of Dementia and its impact on the Individual
• Knowledge of how Dementia has an impact on motivation, social skills and activities and on the individual and their families
• Awareness of Capacity Act/Safeguarding and its role within Dementia Care
• Over 1 years experience in a setting/service for people living with dementia

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 name

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust