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Job summary

Main area
Learning Disability
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week (Part time also considered)
Job ref
351-SPS1399-MF
Employer
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Water Meadow View
Town
Preston
Salary
£24,625 - £25,674 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
12/05/2025 23:59
Interview date
03/06/2025

Employer heading

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust logo

Health Care Support Worker - Learning Disabilities

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

Water Meadow View is a brand new mental health inpatient unit for adults who have learning disabilities, which is due to open in late Autumn 2025 on our site in Whittingham, Preston. As we prepare to open this unit, we have an exciting opportunity for Health Care Support Workers to join us and support the Multi-Disciplinary Team to deliver outstanding person centred care. 

One of the Trust's aims is to deliver the best possible care to our patients, and this new inpatient unit will do just that. Water Meadow View will offer clinical excellence, support, and safety, with patient-centred care at its heart.

Working as an integrated member of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT), post holders will work within a rotational shift system to support patients according to their care needs, some of whom may present with distressed or challenging behaviour.

The post holder will contribute to and participate in the on-going support of patients and their carers. They will contribute to the health, safety and security of patients and their environment.

An assessment day will take place on 3rd June 2025. Please only apply for this vacancy if you can attend in person. Further details will follow if you are shortlisted for interview.

Please note the unit will open in Autumn and start dates will not be agreed prior to this.

Main duties of the job

When you join us, you’ll be making a positive impact on the lives of people with a learning disabilities disability by delivering person centred, compassionate care, in a purpose built, co-produced environment, with opportunities to for you to learn and develop throughout your career.

The post holder will deliver on key responsibilities within the inpatient service:

  • Ensure a friendly and helpful attitude to patients, visitors and colleagues, at all times.
  • Enable patients to maintain contacts in the community.
  • Enable patients to participate in recreation and leisure activities.
  • Maintain effective working relationships with the multidisciplinary team.
  • Provide verbal feedback to colleagues regarding patient presentation during for example, handover.
  • To attend and participate in handovers.
  • Interacting with patients which may involve providing information and using skills to overcome barriers in an empathic and reassuring manner.

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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

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

Person specification

Qualifications

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.
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the issues surrounding Learning Disabilities
  • 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.
  • Understanding of Positive Behavioural support
  • Experience in an inpatient setting

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
Louise Eland
Job title
Business Manager
Email address
[email protected]
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