Healthcare Support Worker

Job overview
We are looking for a Healthcare Support Worker to join our friendly team.
You will work within our specialist perinatal community mental health service, providing physical health assessment, treatment, and ongoing support for individuals experiencing mental health challenges during the perinatal period.
The role involves close collaboration with families and professionals, contributing to an innovative, compassionate service that prioritises positive outcomes for parents and babies.

Main duties of the job
Responsibilities include:
• Recording and reporting accurately any changes related to the patient's current behaviour and/or risks to Nurse/healthcare professional in a timely manner.
• Recording care given and reporting omissions accurately and in a timely manner.
• Promoting a healthy, safe and secure environment by adhering to Trust statutory health and safety requirements and maintaining confidentiality of information at all times in compliance with Trust policies, procedures, protocols and guidance.
• Supporting new team members.
• Demonstrating a professional approach to work and abide by the Trust values.
• To provide comfort, compassion, empathy and time to patients and their carers, family and loved ones.
• Undertake and maintain all essential training to role.
• Working confidently in a variety of environments which present different challenges whilst continuing to act in a professional manner.
• Balancing all aspects of the job role across the 5-day working week.
• Being flexible and responsive to competing demand
• Offering appropriate support and advice to the patients.

• Enable patients to maintain and improve their independence by promoting involvement in the therapeutic activity programme.
• Give physical care as required or instructed.

Working for our organisation
We are the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway. Our teams support adults with a wide range of mental health needs. Because we cover the whole county and both hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the 1.8 million people of Kent and Medway. Rated 'Good' by the CQC, we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 in the community each year.
Our vision is simple: We are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. And everything we do is guided by our values caring, inclusive, curious and confident.
Join us - if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's doing well together.
The High-Cost Area (HCA) allowance, also referred to as London Weighting is a payment made to employees who work in London and the surrounding areas.
As this post is based in Dartford, Gravesham or Swanley, the successful applicant will receive an additional payment each month.
5% of basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £1,346 per year and a maximum payment of £2,270 per year (the agreed annual amount will be divided into 12 equal amounts and paid monthly) (2026/27 figures)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description for full details and main responsibilities of the role.
The post holder must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car/vehicle to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Person specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Good general education, competent in literacy and numeracy Care certificate or ability to work towards Evidence of GCSE or equivalent

Desirable criteria

• Education experience in Health/Social Care

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working in a mental health ward environment

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience working in perinatal mental health

Knowledge & Skills

Essential criteria

• Awareness of mental health disorders/diagnoses Good communication skills (verbal and written) Ability to work flexibly

Desirable criteria

• Good computer/IT skills
• Good knowledge of physical health monitoring

Important Information:
In cases where we receive a high volume of applications for a post, it may be necessary to bring the closing date forward. Please submit your completed application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Due to the high volume of applications received, it is not possible to respond individually to your application. Should you not hear from us within six weeks of the vacancy closing, please assume that your application has not been successful.

Probation Period. New employees external to the trust are subject to a six-month probationary period.
To deliver an effective service it is essential in some of our roles that you are able to travel between work bases in a timely manner.
Production of false or forged documents/qualifications in order to obtain employment is a criminal offence and will be reported to the Police.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check.
Certain roles are subject to criminal record checks called Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. Therefore, you will be required to submit a completed Disclosure form to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust are signed up to NHS England's Sexual Safety in Health Care Organisational Charter
The trust takes a systematic zero-tolerance approach to tackle any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours within the workplace and in our care provision. We are committed to sexual safety which encompasses prevention, support and decisive action against perpetrators. We are committed to keeping you and our patients safe.

Use of AI when writing job applications
While AI tools can be helpful in generating ideas and drafting initial versions, they should never be the sole source for writing your job application.
AI cannot truly understand the specific job you're applying for or what makes you a good fit. Therefore, it's crucial to personalise any AI-generated content to accurately reflect your skills, experiences, and aspirations.
Relying solely on AI to write your application may result in generic, impersonal, and potentially inaccurate content. Always review and refine any AI-generated text to ensure it effectively communicates your experience, skills, accomplishments, and aspirations, and demonstrates your suitability for the position.