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Job summary

Main area
Mental Health - Community
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
351-BAY803-EB
Employer
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Dova Unit, Dane Garth
Town
Barrow-in-Furness
Salary
£24,625 - £25,674 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
21/07/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust logo

Healthcare Assistant

Band 3

Our Vision is to provide the best mental health, learning disability, autism and community based services for the populations we serve.

As an integrated mental health, learning disability and community Trust, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including:

•    Primary and secondary mental health care for children and adults including specialist inpatient child and adolescent mental health provision, perinatal mental health, forensic services including low and medium secure care.
•    Specialist community support for children and adults with learning disabilities and autism, including intensive support.
•    Community physical health and well-being services for children and adults.

The Trust was first established in 2002 and employs approximately 7,000 staff who provide care from more than 400 sites. The organisation offers opportunities for medics, mental health and general nurses, allied health professionals, psychology, administration and clerical staff, apprentices and volunteers.

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust supports flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, home/remote working, and flexi-time.

For more information visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT.

Please note that further communication from Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCft) will normally be to the email address given on the application form. You should also ensure that email addresses and telephone numbers are provided for your referees, to enable LSCft to contact them.

Job overview

Please note further to recent national updates regarding Certificates of Sponsorship issued after 9 April 2025 the minimum salary threshold for skilled workers has increased to £25,000 per year. The increase also applies to the Health and Care Visa route for those occupations paid by NHS bands. This means that entry-level Band 3 roles will not be eligible for sponsorship.

Are you a compassionate respectful team player committed to promoting excellence, and accountability in mental health services?

Do you have excellent communication skills that would enable you to work within a challenging inpatient mental health unit. Working in teams that constantly strive to provide the best possible experience for our service users and their carers?

The Unit provides assessment and interventions for clients, operates seven days a week and is accessible 24hrs per day. 

An opportunity has arisen for a band 3 Health Care Assistant based on Dova Unit at Dane Garth, Barrow

Dova is a 20 bedded unit supporting individuals with a range of mental health issues  

 Ideally you should have at least six months previous experience of working within mental health settings or in a care setting. You should be able to demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the issues that contribute to individuals experiencing mental health difficulties. 

If you would like to discuss the post further please contact us on the details provided

Main duties of the job

We are committed to staff development and provide encouragement and support to staff to continue their lifelong learning. We are also passionate about the supervision process. You will be expected to fully engage in the process for yourself and provide support to others as appropriate.

The successful post holder will be expected to work shifts covering 24 hours, seven days a week and both full and part time contracts are available.   

•    Work as an integrated member of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT), working within a rotational shift system to support patients according to their care needs, some of whom may present with problematic or challenging behaviour.

•    Contribute to, and participate in, the ongoing support of patients and their carers.  

•    Contribute to the protection of patients from abuse

•    Contribute to the health, safety and security of patients and their environment.

•    Obtain, transmit and store information relating to the delivery of a care service.

Working for our organisation

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.

The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area.

Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview.

For more information please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT

Please be aware the use of artificial intelligence (AI) when submitting an application is monitored and if you have used AI to generate an application, you are required to declare this on your application form. AI-generated content may lack specificity and fail to address key criteria outlined in the job description. Personalisation is essential when submitting an application form to convey your skills, knowledge, and experiences effectively

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • An interest in completing NVQ Level III or higher in Health or the completion above and Social Care or QCF Diploma in Health and Social Care training or can demonstrate the equivalent skills and knowledge gained through work (pad/unpaid).

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the issues surrounding mental illness
  • Understands their duties and responsibilities under the Data Protection Act with regard to patient confidentiality.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Working in a caring environment, e.g. nursing home, care home, hospital ward, home carer etc.
  • Working as part of a team.

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to communicate in a clear and compassionate manner.
  • Ability to understand when to escalate concerns

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare Leaver CovenantStep into healthDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - Gold

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. You are therefore advised to consider applying for this vacancy as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Samantha Woolveridge
Job title
Ward Manager
Email address
[email protected]
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