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Job summary

Main area
Learning Disabilities/Autism/Mental Health
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent: Substantive
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week (Shift work required)
Job ref
342-SS128-0825
Employer
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
The Kingfisher, Blackberry Hill Hospital
Town
Bristol
Salary
£24,937 - £26,598 per annum, pro rata (pay award pending)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
10/09/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust logo

Band 3 - Learning Disability & Autism Support Worker - Bristol

Band 3


Job overview

Do you bring passion and commitment to delivering high quality care? Do you have experience working with people with a Learning Disability, Autism or Mental Illness? If so, this role will provide you with a rare and exciting opportunity.

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) are seeking to recruit individuals dedicated to the support of people with Learning Disabilities and or Autism that are experiencing mental health crisis and require hospital admission. 

The Kingfisher Inpatient Service is an initiative that will provide highly specialised treatment in a purpose-built environment. You will work as an integral member of the clinical team supporting patients on their journeys from admission to recovery and discharge.

As part of the expanding expertise in learning disabilities and neurodiversity within AWP we will support you to develop your knowledge and skills making this an exciting career opportunity.

P.S: Previous applicants need not re-apply

Main duties of the job

You must have excellent communication skills and be willing to work flexibly to meet service needs this will include evening, night and weekend shift patterns.

Driving license is desirable however not essential for this role. For further details please refer to Job Description and Person Specification.

For a full list of duties and responsibilities please see attached job description.

Working for our organisation

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust): a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care. 

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.  

AWP is committed to support and create a positive research and evidence-based environment and culture, which can have a beneficial impact on everyone who works for the organisation and the care we provide to those who use our services.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Scope & Range

  • To be responsible and accountable for own practice, working within limits of competence, standard operating procedures, policies and within professional boundaries raising concerns when indicated.
  • Work in an effective and organised manner demonstrating excellent time management and organizational skills to effectively deliver person-centered care for an allocated group of individuals.
  • Contribute to the improvement of service by reflecting on own practice and supporting that of others. Sharing ideas with colleagues to improve care and suggest areas for innovation.
  • The post may involve [inpatient/community-based] work with external trips and visits to service users in the community or their homes or day services. An ability to travel is essential.
  • To demonstrate and support the service user with daily living skills e.g. laundry, making food, snacks, drinks, cleaning etc.

2. Clinical Practice

  • Develop understanding of all elements of the nursing process and be able to assist the registered nurse in the on-going delivery, assessment, planning, management and evaluation of care.
  • To keep the patient at the centre of their care, ensuring patient and carer participation in decision-making and promoting health and independence through awareness raising and care navigation to other professionals as appropriate.
  • Deliver effective care following treatment plans determined by the Registered Nurse or registered care professional and provide feedback on progress against the plans.
  • Understanding of principles of the Mental Capacity Act / Best interest process / Mental Health Act /
  • Deprivation of Liberties and applies principles to everyday practice seeking advice / guidance from the Registered Nurse or registered care professional as required. Understanding of informed consent and ensure valid consent is obtained prior to undertaking nursing and care procedures. Ensuring all relevant documentation is completed in a timely manner.
  • As directed, respond to the needs of service users quickly and effectively, as outlined in care plan / risk assessment / positive behaviour support plan etc and as per trust policy and procedures.
  • Assist with promoting independence and empowerment with individuals to enable them to make their own informed health care decisions. Ensuring patients are supported to reach their optimum level of independence.
  • Ensure the privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is maintained at all times and that the needs and wishes of the individual are documented.
  • As trained, assess, perform, inform registered practitioners and record clinical physical observations e.g. blood pressure, temperature, respirations, pulse, food & fluid intake, bodily functions.
  • Monitor, record and inform registered practitioners around observations as trained for example changes in mood and mental state and/or behaviours that challenge using tools such as ABC charts, sleep monitoring, frequency charts etc.
  • Assist in the assessment of risk and contribute to the production of risk management plans.
  • Promote a healthy lifestyle through undertaking health education and promotion with service users, family members and/or carers. This will involve using accessible information.
  • Escorting or accompanying service users for planned periods of leave on hospital grounds and in the community to promote social inclusion and normalization.
  • To accompany service user during hospital admissions and outpatient appointments as risk assessed.
  • To identify and escalate safeguarding issues of vulnerable children and adults reporting in a timely manner to registered colleagues/management when required.
  • To follow and be accountable for own responsibilities in regard to safety e.g. key holding requirements, visitors management, infection control etc

For a full list of duties and responsibilities please see attached job description.

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria
  • Good general education.
  • Possession of, or ability and willingness to undertake, an appropriate Level 3 vocational qualification (e.g. Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship).
  • Food Hygiene certificate/willingness to undertake.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience or understanding of adult, children’s, mental health or learning disability setting.
  • Demonstrable understanding of learning disability issues and mental health and taking a positive, non-judgmental approach towards service users, carers, colleagues and members of the public.
  • Knowledge of the types of stigma / prejudice experienced by people with Learning Disabilities, and possible ways of challenging this.

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Team-working skills and ability to function effectively and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary setting.
  • Ability to form and sustain a trusting relationship with service users/carers.
  • Well-developed listening skills and effective verbal communication skills, and ability to communicate both face to face, via email and by telephone.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardThe Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion is the leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion in the workplace.Veteran AwarePositive about disabled peopleThe Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion is the leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion in the workplace.Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerInclusive Top 50 LogoThe Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (enei) is the UK's leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion issues in the workplace.Armed Forces Covenant

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. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Chris Ward
Job title
Matron
Email address
[email protected]
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