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Job summary

Main area
Clinical Support Worker
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Job share
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week (Shifts are over 24/7 with Early, Late, Long Days and Nights available)
Job ref
395-KM272-25
Employer
NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Kent & Medway Adolescent Hospital
Town
Staplehurst
Salary
£24,937 - £26,598 Per Annum (pro rata)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
09/10/2025 23:59
Interview date
20/10/2025

Employer heading

NELFT NHS Foundation Trust logo

Mental Health Clinical Support Worker

NHS AfC: Band 3

Joining #TeamNELFT means you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We’re CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London, Essex, Kent and Medway. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas.

The Trust has award winning equality and diversity initiatives and staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest heavily in your development, because when you are valued and supported, we provide the best care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been featured in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for three consecutive years, and we have achieved a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Along with our staff networks and training opportunities, we work hard to embed a just and compassionate culture here at NELFT.

Find out more about NELFT careers and what makes our Trust a great place to work, in this video

Job overview

We have vacancies at our Kent and Medway Adolescent Hospital based in Staplehurst, Kent for Band 3  clinical support workers to join our team.
We are a general adolescent hospital, supporting young people admitted informally or under section of the mental health act who present with acute mental health difficulties including eating disorders. We also operate a Health Based Place of Safety, which supports young people who have been detained under section by the police.

Due to an expected  high volume of applications,  this vacancy may close earlier than the proposed closing date.

This position will not be supported for visa sponsorship, as it does not meet the minimum requirements.  All applicants are expected to have valid right to work document to work in the UK when applying for this position.

Main duties of the job

The role involves supporting young people who have been admitted and to engage in treatment around managing their mental health and risk. The average length of stay for young people is around 6-8 weeks during which time the young person and their family are offered treatment to support safe discharge back to the community. Young people admitted to the unit may engage in behaviours often associated with mental distress such as self-harm, agitation, suicidal thoughts and intrusive thoughts.

The team operate 24/7 and shifts that will be worked include: Earlies, Lates, Long days and nights.

The focus of the role is on risk assessment, management and treatment in a general adolescent hospital setting and involves interfacing with other agencies and contributing to the therapeutic timetable. This is a collaborative piece of work as, within the hospital we have a wide range of staff groups including nurses, support staff, education, family therapists, music therapists, OT's, psychologists, psychotherapists, medics, social worker, admin, and management. 

 

Working for our organisation

Our Values 2025 - 2030

 

Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co-produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT.

 

They are:

 

We are kind.

We are respectful.

We work together with our communities.

 

These three values help us to strive to provide the best care by the best people.

 

Starting with NELFT

NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust.  All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment.  As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focussing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes.  The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

 

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post would suit someone who has an interest and/or experience in supporting young people with mental health needs. The right candidate will be able to work well under pressure and in the face of emotional situations and be confident in making decisions in the best interests of children, young people and their families.

As well as a comprehensive induction period to NELFT and our unit we can also offer training opportunities to develop and support the individual within the role.

Please note we cannot sponsor this role.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application.

We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Please apply as soon as possible as some posts close early to limit the number of applications.

 

Certificates of Sponsorship

Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points-based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement) is not included to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust.

Use of AI

Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI during the recruitment process.

 

At NELFT, we are committed to building a workforce that reflects 
and supports the diverse communities we serve. As part of our 
ongoing efforts to strengthen local employment and deliver high-quality, person-centered care, we will prioritise applications from 
individuals living in our local boroughs and surrounding areas

 

Person specification

Essential

Essential criteria
  • NVQ Level 2 or equivalent literacy and numeracy
  • Demonstrates Trust values
Desirable criteria
  • Commitment to further development and learning

Essential

Essential criteria
  • Experience in working with the public
  • Experience working in a team
Desirable criteria
  • Experience in Healthcare Setting

Essential

Essential criteria
  • Awareness of NHS priorities
  • Knowledge of patient/client conditions relevant to the community setting
  • Good level of communication skills (written and verbal)

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Employers for CarersApprenticeships logoAge positiveDisability confident employerHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldEmployers Network for Equality & InclusionTop Employers for Working Families 2021Top 10 Employer 2023

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Alistair Sutton
Job title
Ward Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
03003001985
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