Band 3 Healthcare Assistant - Dawn House in Birmingham

Band 3 Healthcare Assistant - Dawn House

Band 3

Main area Healthcare Assistant- Mental Health Grade Band 3 Contract Fixed term: 2 years (New pilot scheme for the WSBS service) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 436-8335827

Site Dawn House Town Balsall Heath Salary £25,760 - £27,476 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 21/10/2026 23:59 Interview date 30/10/2026

Please note that this post may close earlier than the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Job overview

The post holder will work as part of a small team supporting women as they move from secure inpatient care into a community residential setting. Dawn House is part of the Women’s Secure Blended Service (WSBS), and this new step-down project
aims to help women build confidence, independence and stability as they prepare for community living.
The role involves offering support with daily living skills, meaningful activities, emotional wellbeing, medication self-management and community integration. The post holder will use a trauma-informed approach and will work closely with inpatient
staff at Ardenleigh, ANAWIM, and other partner agencies to help create a smooth transition from hospital to community.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship; applicants must have existing work authorisation for the UK.

Due to the nature of the service and the close working relationship with ANAWIM and other women’s services, this post is open to female applicants only.

Main duties of the job

Assist in supporting women with complex needs as they transition from secure inpatient care into a community residential environment. Working under the guidance of senior staff, you will contribute to the assessment of needs, the implementation and review of personalised support plans, and the promotion of independence through daily living skills, wellbeing activities and community engagement. You will build therapeutic, trauma-informed relationships that encourage confidence, recovery
and integration into the community.
Following the required training, the post holder may support and oversee self-medication processes, including dispensing medication in line with Trust policy and individual support plans.
The role involves working across both Dawn House and Ardenleigh to support a smooth, coordinated discharge pathway.
You will maintain accurate documentation, communicate effectively with colleagues and partner agencies, and contribute to a safe, respectful and empowering environment that reflects the values of Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Due to the nature of the service and the close working relationship with
ANAWIM and other women’s services, this post is open to female applicants only.

Working for our organisation

Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.

Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people’s lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

CLINICAL:

• To assist qualified nurses in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the evidence-based care required, including health promotion for a named service user/group.
• To assist qualified nurses in the setting of quality standards, including the monitoring and reviewing in line with current clinical guidance practice and policy.
• Responsible for reporting and recording any changes in the residents
  mental/physical/emotional/ state in the care plan, and to the Manager.
• Ensure that the requirements of the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended in 2007) are observed, adhered to and implemented.
• Support the Nurse Manager in engaging service user’s and carer’s involvement with the service.
• To assist management in the establishment of therapeutic relationships with service users, and the implementation of evidence based therapeutic interventions with appropriate boundaries.
• To take a lead role in the development and provision of social/therapeutic activities for service users.
• Assist residents in meeting their Activities of daily living.
  Perform delegated clinical/nonclinical duties without the need for direct supervision.
• To participate in multi-professional reviews and team meetings.

PROFESSIONAL:

• Responsible for participation in the Trust appraisal process, that identifies in conjunction with appraiser your own personal development and training needs.
• To respect and value the different therapeutic approaches within the
  multidisciplinary team but ensure that the agreed philosophy approach is adopted and followed.
• Responsible for ensuring confidentiality is maintained at all times in accordance with the data protection act trust policy and good practice.
• Responsible for maintaining and conducting oneself in a professional manner towards residents, carers, colleagues and other agencies.
  Participate in joint working with appropriate experts/agencies.

EDUCATION:

• To assist in the supervision/instruction of all junior staff and students on placement/induction within the clinical area under the guidance and advice of the manager
• After completing the Trust’s medication training, support service users with safe self-medication.

ORGANISATIONAL:

• Work in accordance with Trust and departmental policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Promote equality, diversity, rights, and respect for service users’ spiritual and cultural needs.
• Ensure accurate documentation, reporting, and communication in line with Trust standards.
• From time to time, work across Ardenleigh depending on clinical need of the site.
• Participate in supervision, appraisal, and training to maintain and develop professional competence.

COMMUNICATION:

• The post holder is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely written records are kept which comply with the Trust policy reporting on any issues as appropriate.
• The post holder is responsible for ensuring they comply with current good practice in informing/updating all members of the multi-disciplinary team, their colleagues, residents and appropriate others of changes involving current nursing care plans, progress, mental state and psychosocial factors in line with best practice.
• The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they clearly communicate with clients and carers, actively listen to establish an understanding of the needs of the residents and their carers, enabling them to make informed decisions about their care.

MANAGERIAL:

• To work within a framework commensurate with their level of knowledge and competence and to act accordingly within their sphere of responsibility.

We are unable to support applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work the United Kingdom (UK)

Person specification

Training and Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject
• Evidence of continuous professional development relevant to mental health, trauma-informed care, or complex needs
• Willingness to complete necessary training for role
• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care working towards this
• Medication training or willingness to complete Trust medication training package

Knowledge & Experience

• Experience working as a healthcare assistant or similar role
• Minimum 1 year experience working with women with complex needs
• Experience of trauma-informed, least-restrictive, and recovery-focused practice
• Experience working in a women’s mental health setting or secure inpatient / forensic unit
• Experience working with diverse populations and/or fluency in languages other than English

Skills & Knowledge

• Good standard of English and numeracy
• Basic keyboard skills
• Experience of working in a healthcare or customer orientated setting
• Displays good written and verbal communication skills

Personal Qualities

• Demonstrates the Trust values: Inclusive, Compassionate and Committed.
• Genuinely interested in working with women with complex needs in a forensic step-down setting
• Ability to remain calm, professional and compassionate in challenging situations
• Demonstrates empathy, patience, and a trauma-informed attitude
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and uphold professional boundaries
• Flexible, positive, and adaptable approach to work across Dawn House and Ardenleigh
• Commitment to continuous learning and development
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a multi-agency team

Our Trust is committed to treating individuals fairly and ensuring they have the same opportunities to fulfil their potential, even if this means doing things differently for different people sometimes. We are working hard to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity within Birmingham and Solihull and that our services meet the needs of all diverse service users and carers.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of our safe recruitment practice pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. As part of the selection process you may be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, however all cases of criminal record history are dealt with on a case by case basis.

Please note, if applicable for your role you will be required to cover the cost of your DBS certificate. This will be deducted from your salary over 3 months.

All successful applicants will be required to complete the Trust’s induction programme. The Fundamental (Statutory and Mandatory) training will be in an e-learning format. You will be required to complete training modules online (approx. 9-14 hours depending on post) by the end of your second week with us.

If you are successful at the shortlisting stage of the recruitment process we may contact you via email to advise you of the interview details. Please ensure you access your email account from which you applied regularly once the position has closed. Our selection process may involve more than one interview or assessment.

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the United Kingdom (UK) are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, please ensure that you check if this role meets the eligibility criteria for sponsorship. Non UK /Republic of Ireland candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Browse: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) . The minimum salary threshold for a Health and Social Care is £25,000 and for the Skilled Worker route is £38,700. If the starting salary for this role is below this, we will not be able to provide sponsorship.

Relocation expenses may be reimbursed subject to eligibility. The policy provides for reimbursement up to £8,000.

Please note - if you are applying for a role within Police custody, due to Police Vetting requirements you must have been a UK resident for the last years.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Karlene Wesley Job title Liaison & Discharge Nurse/Dawn House Manager Email address karlene.wesley1@nhs.net Telephone number 07985883221

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