Health Care Support Worker

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and compassionate Healthcare Assistant (HCA) to join the team on Crane Ward, an inpatient mental health unit. The post holder will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide high-quality, person-centred care to adults experiencing acute mental health difficulties.

Crane Ward provides a safe and therapeutic environment for service users, supporting their recovery, promoting independence, and maintaining dignity at all times. As a Healthcare Assistant, you will play a key role in supporting registered nurses and other professionals in delivering care, engaging patients in meaningful activities, and ensuring their safety and wellbeing throughout their admission.

The role involves close patient interaction, including supporting individuals with activities of daily living, monitoring mental and physical health, and contributing to care planning. The successful candidate will demonstrate empathy, resilience, and a genuine passion for working within mental health services.

This is a rewarding but challenging role, requiring excellent communication skills, the ability to work flexibly (including shifts, weekends, and nights), and a commitment to delivering safe, compassionate care in line with NHS values.

Main duties of the job

Support patients with activities of daily living, including personal careand nutrition, while promoting dignity and independence. Observe, monitor, and accurately record patients' mental and physical health, reporting any changes or concerns promptly to the nursing team. Engage therapeutically with service users, building positive relationships to support recovery and emotional wellbeing. Assist in the implementation of care plans, risk assessments, and therapeutic interventions as directed by qualified staff. Support the management of challenging behaviours using de-escalation techniques and follow organisational policies on safety and restraint where required. Contribute to maintaining a safe, clean, and therapeutic ward environment, ensuring adherence to infection prevention and control procedures. Escort patients on and off the ward as required, including attending appointments, leave, or activities in the community. Participate in ward activities and structured programmes to promote patient engagement, social inclusion, and recovery. Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation in accordance with Trust policies. Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team, contributing to handovers, meetings, and care reviews. Adhere to all Trust policies, including safeguarding, confidentiality, health and safety, and equality and diversity. Participate in training, supervision, and ongoing professional development to enhance skills and knowledge.

About us

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) provides high-quality mental health and community services across London and beyond. We are committed to compassionate, person-centred care and supporting our diverse communities.At CNWL, our values of compassion, respect, empowerment, and partnership underpin everything we do. We offer a supportive working environment, with opportunities for training, development, and staff wellbeing.

Details

• Date posted: 19 August 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 3
• Salary: £30,630 to £32,346 a year per annum incl. HCAS
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 333-G-HM-0797-A
• Job locations: Crane Ward Riverside Centre, Colham Green Road, Uxbridge, UB8 3NN, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

The Healthcare Assistant (HCA) will work as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team on Crane Ward, supporting the delivery of high-quality, safe, and effective care to service users admitted for inpatient mental health treatment.

The post holder will provide direct care and support to patients experiencing a range of acute mental health needs. This includes assisting with activities of daily living, promoting independence, and ensuring that care is delivered with dignity, respect, and compassion at all times.

The HCA will be responsible for observing and monitoring patients mental and physical health, accurately recording findings, and promptly reporting any changes or risks to the registered nursing staff. They will support the implementation of care plans, risk management strategies, and therapeutic interventions as directed.

The role involves developing positive and therapeutic relationships with service users, encouraging engagement in ward-based activities, and supporting recovery-focused care. The post holder will also contribute to maintaining a safe and therapeutic ward environment, adhering to infection prevention and control policies, and supporting risk reduction strategies.

The HCA will support patients during escorted leave and attend external appointments where required. They may be required to respond to challenging behaviours, using de-escalation techniques and following Trust policies and training in relation to the safe management of violence and aggression.

The post holder will ensure accurate and timely documentation in line with Trust standards and maintain confidentiality at all times. They will participate in handovers, team meetings, and regular supervision, contributing to effective team working and continuity of care.

The role requires flexibility, including working shifts, weekends, and nights, and a commitment to ongoing training and professional development.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).