Mental Health Support Worker

Job Advert Skip to main content

document.body.className = ((document.body.className) ? document.body.className + ' js-enabled' : 'js-enabled');

Cookies on NHS Jobs

We've put some small files called cookies on your device to help us make improvements to our site.

To improve our site we'd also like to use cookies which will send information to Google Analytics. You can read more about our cookies before you choose.

Accept analytics cookies Do not accept analytics cookies

Jobs

Menu

• Sign in
• Create an account

• English
• Cymraeg

Menu Close menu

• Search
• Sign in
• Create an account
• Display in Welsh (Cymraeg)

• Search
• Sign in
• Create an account
• Display in Welsh (Cymraeg)

BETA Your feedback will help us to improve this service.

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust Mental Health Support Worker

The closing date is 28 September 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

Are you looking for a new opportunity? Would you like to be part of a service which enables you to work alongside people with severe and enduring mental illness, using your skills to build trust and relationships with them, with the goal of enhancing their quality of life?

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, dedicated, and reliable Mental Health Support Worker at Band 3, who wants to work with our dynamic and supportive team. MHSW's are an important component of the Glendinning team and provide a valuable source of support to both the patients and qualified staff. The role provides the opportunity and time to use your skills to develop rapport and trusting relationships with patients, which is at the core of the team's approach.

Glendinning is a 9 bedded inpatient rehabilitation unit, that supports both male and female patients requiring ongoing support at this point in their mental health recovery journey.

This post is a part-time role of 18.75 hours. With the following shift patterns:

• Early - 07:30 - 15:30
• Late - 13:00 - 21:00
• Long Day - 07:30 - 21:00
• Nights - 20.30 - 07.30 (enhanced pay)

Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Please ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.

Main duties of the job

You will carry out assigned tasks involving direct care in support of and supervised by a Registered Nurse.

You will be an active member of the multi-disciplinary team in assisting in organised activities for patients; helping to create a Therapeutic Environment for patients, monitoring patients' personal hygiene standards and ensuring these are maintained.

You will be an active member of the multi-disciplinary team in assisting in organised activities for patients; helping to create a Therapeutic Environment for patients, monitoring patients' personal hygiene standards and ensuring these are maintained.

You will carry out general housekeeping duties, e.g. helping to keep the building tidy, assisting in setting of tables and the preparation and serving of meals, checking laundry items and any tasks which help with the smooth running of the unit and assist the nurses in their delivery of care to the patients.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

You will be required to undertake a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course, and it is a condition of your employment that you successfully complete all aspects of this course; if this is not achieved you will not be able to commence working in the post.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Details

Date posted

14 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£12,880 to £13,738 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

152-M186.26A

Job locations

Glendinning Unit

30 Maiden Castle Road

Dorchester

DT1 2ER

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [email protected]

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [email protected]

Person Specification

Job Specific Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within the care sector
• Personal qualities/attributes - good communication skills, ability to engage and motivate others, ability to remain calm in stressful situations

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of mental health
• Previous experience of working in mental health service

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

• GCSE Level English Language or equivalent
• NVQ Level 2 equivalent level of experience

Desirable

• NVQ Level 3 equivalent level of experience

Personal Qualities/Attributes

Essential

• Good time management skills
• Good organisational skills and ability to organise own workload under supervision of qualified nurses
• Willing to undertake further training as required by the Trust to ensure Health & Safety standards are met
• Professional manner in dealing with emotive material and challenging behaviour from clients
• Ability to use initiative

Communication

Essential

• Effective communication skills
• Personal Qualities/Attributes needed for working with this complex client group
• Demonstrates compassion and empathy

Person Specification

Job Specific Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within the care sector
• Personal qualities/attributes - good communication skills, ability to engage and motivate others, ability to remain calm in stressful situations

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of mental health
• Previous experience of working in mental health service

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

• GCSE Level English Language or equivalent
• NVQ Level 2 equivalent level of experience

Desirable

• NVQ Level 3 equivalent level of experience

Personal Qualities/Attributes

Essential

• Good time management skills
• Good organisational skills and ability to organise own workload under supervision of qualified nurses
• Willing to undertake further training as required by the Trust to ensure Health & Safety standards are met
• Professional manner in dealing with emotive material and challenging behaviour from clients
• Ability to use initiative

Communication

Essential

• Effective communication skills
• Personal Qualities/Attributes needed for working with this complex client group
• Demonstrates compassion and empathy

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Glendinning Unit

30 Maiden Castle Road

Dorchester

DT1 2ER

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Glendinning Unit

30 Maiden Castle Road

Dorchester

DT1 2ER

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Manager

Becky Hopkins

[email protected]

01305214585

Details

Date posted

14 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£12,880 to £13,738 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

152-M186.26A

Job locations

Glendinning Unit

30 Maiden Castle Road

Dorchester

DT1 2ER

United Kingdom

Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)

Support links

• Privacy policy
• Terms and conditions
• Accessibility Statement
• Cookies
• Help and guidance

© Crown copyright