Mental Health Support Worker

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Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust Mental Health Support Worker

The closing date is 18 November 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

Are you an experienced Mental Health Support Worker or looking to begin a rewarding NHS career? Join our friendly, supportive team at St Brelades Ward, Alderney Hospital, Poole.

St Brelades is an older adult male mental health ward providing assessment, treatment and care for up to 17 patients, including those living with dementia and associated behavioural and psychological symptoms.

As a Mental Health Support Worker, you will support patients with daily living activities, build trusting relationships and work closely with the multidisciplinary team to deliver safe, compassionate, person-centred care that promotes dignity, wellbeing and recovery.

We welcome caring, motivated individuals with empathy, patience, good communication skills and a passion for supporting older people. Previous experience is desirable but not essential, as full induction, ongoing support and career development opportunities are available.

Hours: Full-time.

Shift patterns:

• Early: 07:00-15:00

• Late: 13:00-21:00

• Long day: 07:00-21:00

• Night: 20:30-07:30 (enhanced pay)

If you want to make a meaningful difference and develop your career within a supportive team committed to high-quality patient care, we would love to hear from you.

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

Main duties of the job

Training and Responsibilities

You will have opportunities for training and professional development in discussion with your line manager. Responsibilities include promptly reporting concerns or complaints raised by patients, families or carers to the trained staff on duty; maintaining accurate patient observation and care records, including entries on the RiO electronic patient record system; and undertaking other appropriate duties as requested by the nurse in charge to support safe ward operations.

In Return, We Offer

• Comprehensive, structured induction.

• Competitive pay, with enhanced rates for night and weekend shifts.

• Access to the NHS Pension Scheme.

• NHS staff ID badge with access to NHS benefits and discounts.

• Attractive annual leave entitlement.

• Regular management support, clinical supervision and meaningful appraisals.

• Ongoing training and career development opportunities.

Essential Training

Successful completion of all elements of the Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PMVA) course is a condition of employment and must be achieved before starting the post.

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

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

04 November 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

152-M413.26

Job locations

St Brelades Ward , Alderney Hospital

Ringwood Road

Poole

BH12 4NB

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

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

• NVQ level 2 or 3 or equivalent level of experience
• Literate / Numerate

Job specific experience

Essential

• Ability to work in a team
• Experience of working within a care setting

Information Technology

Essential

• Basic IT keyboard skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training

Additional requirements

Essential

• A level of fitness and ability to participate and complete PMVA, Breakaway training and Manual Handling (practice and theory).

Person Specification

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

• NVQ level 2 or 3 or equivalent level of experience
• Literate / Numerate

Job specific experience

Essential

• Ability to work in a team
• Experience of working within a care setting

Information Technology

Essential

• Basic IT keyboard skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training

Additional requirements

Essential

• A level of fitness and ability to participate and complete PMVA, Breakaway training and Manual Handling (practice and theory).

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

St Brelades Ward , Alderney Hospital

Ringwood Road

Poole

BH12 4NB

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

St Brelades Ward , Alderney Hospital

Ringwood Road

Poole

BH12 4NB

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

Tinju Joy

[email protected]

01202305712

Details

Date posted

04 November 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

152-M413.26

Job locations

St Brelades Ward , Alderney Hospital

Ringwood Road

Poole

BH12 4NB

United Kingdom

Supporting documents

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