Job overview
Children’s Mental Health Support workers
Do you enjoy working with children and young people? Are you interested in children's and young people's mental health? If the answers are "yes" then this may be the position for you!
Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRHC) is a tertiary Children’s Hospital within a wider NHS Foundation Trust. We have full and part time vacancies in our team of Band 3 Children's Mental Health Support Workers, to provide care, compassion, assessment and engagement with children, young people and their families who are admitted to BRHC with mental health needs.
Our patients are extraordinary, each of them with their own unique character, strength and drive, which is why we looking for these exact same qualities in our Children’s Mental Health Support workers.
This position requires shifts to be worked across days, nights, weekends and bank holidays to ensure the service is fully covered. This is your opportunity to join us on our journey and become a part of our talented and passionate team. Whilst the role at times can be hard, it comes with team support, supervision and guidance.
Interviews will be confirmed with shortlisted candidates.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for individuals who are eager to learn, have excellent communication skills, and a positive, can-do attitude.
To be shortlisted for this role, you must clearly demonstrate on your application the following:
- Maths qualification at GCSE A*-C / 4-9 or Functional Skills Level 2 or equivalent.
- English qualification at GCSE A*-C / 4-9 or Functional Skills Level 2 or equivalent.
- Level 3 qualification (or higher) in any subject.
- Acute experience in a physical OR Mental Health setting
- Experience or a passion for working with children and young people.
- Strategies to support your wellbeing when working with young people who can present in distress at times
Be able to work a mixture of Long Day shifts and Night shifts (to include weekends and Bank Holidays.
If you do not have previous acute experience, we offer a 12-week Band 2 to Band 3 Trainee Programme. This programme will equip you with the necessary skills and experience to successfully transition into the Band 3 role. Please indicate on your application if you are interested in this programme.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.
Person specification
Aptitudes
Essential
- Supportive
- Respectful
- Innovative
- Collaborative
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Effective communication skills, verbally and written
- Ability to work well in a team
- Able to complete appropriate documentation accurately
- Demonstrate an awareness of healthcare work and policies and procedures
- Committed to providing high quality patient care
- IT skills, basic word, Email, keyboard skills, data collection
- Ability and willingness to undertake appropriate training
- Flexible and adaptable to change, able to work a range of shifts and moving across wards/unit as the need arises
- Able to demonstrate calm, caring patient manner/attitude
- Enthusiasm and commitment to working within the health care setting
- Able to meet the physical and educational demands of the role
- Adaptable and flexible to work across all wards in hospital wherever the need of the young person is greatest
Training & Education
Essential
- GCSE A*- C in both English Language and Mathematics or equivalent in these two subjects e.g. Certificates in Adult Literacy and Numeracy at Level 2
- NVQ level 3/ QCF Level 3 in Health or Social Care or equivalent that is relevant to Mental Health
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Has substantial evidence of experience as a nursing/care assistant in a health or social care setting, either public, private or voluntary sector
- Acute experience working in a physical or Mental Health setting
- Experience of working with young people who are experiencing mental health needs.
Desirable
- Working knowledge of mental health issues
- Experience of working with a range of learning disabilities, challenging behaviour, eating disorders
- Good reflective ability and an understanding of its importance in the context of interpersonal working
- Working knowledge of mental health nursing
- Knowledge of health & social care issues that impact on mental health and wellbeing
Public Sector Language Competency
Essential
- Be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Children’s Mental Health Support Worker with University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust in Bristol, South West, England. It is listed as a Band 3 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £24,625 - £25,674 pa pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 28 Jun 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (12 Jun 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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