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Job summary

Main area
Mental Health
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
351-FYL679-SRP
Employer
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
The Harbour - Shakespeare Ward
Town
Blackpool
Salary
£24,937 - £26,598 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
18/02/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust logo

Health Care Support Worker

Band 3

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

As an integrated Trust, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) delivers a comprehensive 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, and forensic services with low and medium secure care.
  • Specialist mental health inpatient care for individuals with learning disabilities, alongside specialist community support for children and adults with learning disabilities and autism, including intensive support.
  • Extensive community physical health and well-being services for children and adults, covering prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term condition management.

The Trust was first established in 2002 and employs approximately 7,500 staff who provide care from more than 400 sites. The organisation offers opportunities for medics, mental health, general nurses, children’s nurses, allied health professionals, psychology, administration and clerical staff, apprentices and volunteers, as well as those specialising in learning disabilities and community physical health services.

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

Job overview

In line with recent UK Government updates, please be aware that from 9 April 2025, the minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas, including the Health and Care Visa route, has increased to £25,000 per year. 

This applies to roles paid in accordance with NHS pay bands, meaning entry-level Band 3 positions no longer meet the criteria for sponsorship.
If you require visa sponsorship to work in the UK, you will be asked to provide further information during the application process to confirm that you meet the updated eligibility requirements.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for the post of healthcare support worker (HCA) on Shakespeare ward, at band 3. 

This post is ideal for highly motivated and compassionate individuals who want to deliver high standards of care to individuals on a female acute ward. Interventions expected of successful applicants included spending 1:1 time with patients, using compassion and empathy to help in challenging situations, supporting the wider team in areas such as infection prevention and control and proactively spending time delivering patient centred activities on the ward, among other things.

Due to high number of applications this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised closing date.

Main duties of the job

Whilst working on the Mental Health Unit you will be required to:-

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 on- going 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

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you’d like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support 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 and flexi-time.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For more details on this vacancy please review the attached job description and person specification.

Person specification

Education/Qualification

Essential criteria
  • NVQ Level III or Higher in Health and Social Care or QCF Diploma in Health and Social Care or an Interest in completing the above training or can demonstrate the equivalent skills and knowledge gained through work (paid/unpaid).

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrates 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. For example, nursing home, care home, hospital ward, home carer etc.
  • Up to date or working knowledge of de-escalation techniques, Control and restraint and Management of Violence and Aggression (MOVA).

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
Jennifer Bird
Job title
Recruiting Manager
Email address
[email protected]