Trainee Healthcare Support Worker - Mental Health

Job Introduction

Looking to kickstart a career within mental health in the NHS?

Join our Healthcare Support Worker development (HCSWD) programme, where you will learn on the job at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust at Prospect Park Hospital, Reading.  Acting as your entry point into the NHS and your gateway to new roles, you will receive the training, support, and supervision you need to become a Care Support Worker (CSW).

You will join our 6-Months supervised placement programme working on the mental health wards.

Pay Rates:

Days: £12.21, Saturdays/Nights: £17.22, Sunday/Bank Hols: £22.34

Why might this job interest you?

During your placement, you’ll work towards achieving the widely recognised Care Certificate with the training you need to become a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW). Also known as Healthcare Assistant (HCA). Throughout, you’ll have supportive supervision from your mentor/Ward Manager.

Once you’ve graduated as a HCSW, you can progress your career by accessing further training. This career path may lead to potential roles such as Senior Healthcare Assistant to Assistant Practitioner or Nursing Associate, enabling further career avenues such as a Nurse or therapies.

Where will you be working?

There are acute wards who provide care to adults with mental health conditions such as bipolar affective disorder, depression, and schizophrenia as well as a ward that provides care for older adults with functional mental health conditions and a specialist ward that provides care for dementia patients.

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, they’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire.  They value diversity and are proud to be a Stonewall Top 100 Employer, and work hard to create an inclusive environment where you’ll be supported by friendly and professional colleagues to flourish.

Main Responsibilities

As a trainee HCSW in Mental Health, you'll learn key skills, such as:

• Provide and maintain a high standard of care 

• Develop and maintain a good working relationship with patients through regular contact and ensure their safety and well-being.

• Carry out assigned tasks under the direction of a qualified nurse or the supervision of a more senior support worker.  This includes assisting the patients in all aspects of personal care and life skills

• To report changes, observations and relevant information to qualified staff.

• Be involved in discussion on the development of patient centred programmes

• To assist in the running of ward groups.

• Be familiar with the ward routines and programmes, and carry them out effectively.

The benefits we can offer you in return: 

• Career progression – Achieve a Care Certificate and begin your journey with the NHS. This role could be extended to a permanent post within Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
• Weekly pay – Work this week, get paid next week.
• Join the NHS family – Become part of a respected healthcare team and provide patient care.
• Dedicated training and supervised shifts – Support from your ward / area and skilled mentors.
• Development opportunities via the Trust.
• Webinar support – Regular monthly sessions covering the Care Certificate workbook, Conflict Management training and more.

The Ideal Candidate

What you’ll need:

• We will consider applicants without any healthcare experience as well as those with at least 3 months healthcare experience within the last 2 years. 
• A passion for care as well as following the six enduring values that underpin ‘compassion in practice’. The 6Cs are defined as: Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment.
• To be over the age of 18 or turning 18 before placement.
• Able to work at least 30 hours a week across earlies, lates and nights during the programme.

What’s next? 

If you’re successful, you’ll be invited to an interview and assessment day (8th May 2025), followed by free 4 days classroom training (2nd - 5th June 2025) and an induction week before you start.

“As a result of the HCSWD programme, I am now a qualified Healthcare Support Worker and currently pursuing my dream to qualify as a Nurse.” Lynda Akpan, HCSW

After the programme

If a permanent role becomes vacant, the successful candidate may be offered the permanent position after course completion.

Apply Today

Apply to the HCSWD programme today and if successful, you will be placed onto a 6-Month placement.

Disclaimer 

Please note, you will be contacted by email throughout the recruitment process, so please check your emails, including your junk/spam regularly. We regret we cannot contact everyone who is not selected for an interview, therefore if you do not hear from us within 21 days after submitting your application, please assume you have not been successful on this occasion.