Healthcare Assistant

Role summary

This opening is for a Healthcare Assistant on Morris Ward, a low secure unit within NELFT NHS Foundation Trust in Ilford, England. The post is suited to someone who values direct patient support, teamwork, and the chance to make a meaningful contribution to people’s wellbeing and recovery.

The position offers hands-on involvement with patients, opportunities to build clinical experience, and the satisfaction of helping people maintain comfort, dignity, and a sense of purpose during their care journey.

What you will do

• Support patients with everyday needs such as washing, dressing, meals, and general hygiene.
• Develop supportive and therapeutic relationships with the people in your care.
• Watch for changes in mental and physical health, and document observations accurately.
• Help registered staff deliver care plans and rehabilitation programmes.
• Encourage independence, recovery, and development of social abilities.
• Assist patients with ward activities, appointments, and supervised access to the community.
• Help keep the environment safe, secure, clean, and supportive.
• Respond calmly and appropriately to distress, challenging behaviour, or mental health emergencies.
• Provide basic healthcare support under supervision.
• Complete clear records and handovers with the multidisciplinary team.

Detailed responsibilities

In a low secure rehabilitation setting, the Healthcare Assistant supports people experiencing mental health difficulties in a structured and therapeutic environment. The role focuses on helping patients recover, rebuild independent living skills, and preserve dignity, respect, and confidentiality throughout their care.

You will offer practical help with personal care, nutrition, mobility, and maintaining personal areas, while also giving emotional encouragement and day-to-day support. You will monitor patients’ wellbeing, report concerns to nursing staff, and contribute to individual care and rehabilitation plans by promoting participation in therapy, education, social interaction, and community-based activities.

Working closely with nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, and other professionals, you will help deliver consistent person-centred care. You will also follow risk-management procedures, support a safe and secure ward environment, and respond professionally to incidents or crises in line with training and local policy.

The role requires strong communication, compassion, resilience, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. You will be expected to maintain professional boundaries, follow safeguarding and confidentiality rules, attend training, manage your workload, and contribute positively to the therapeutic culture of the unit.

Additional information

NELFT places strong emphasis on onboarding and induction for new starters. New employees join on the first Monday of each month and complete an induction of up to two weeks. This includes mandatory training, systems training, and issue of equipment. During induction, new starters can also meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend drop-in sessions covering engagement, health and wellbeing, and key processes. Induction takes place at the head office in Goodmayes, Essex.

Probation

This role is subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt unless they are already partway through a probation period or are currently bank staff.

Pay supplement

The post attracts a High Cost Area Supplement for Outer London (B&D, Redbridge, Havering, and Waltham Forest), paid at 15% of basic salary. For part-time staff, this is pro rata with a minimum of £4,714 and a maximum of £5,941 per year.

Working environment

By joining NELFT, you become part of a supportive organisation with a Good CQC rating and a commitment to progress toward Outstanding. The Trust operates across North East London and Essex, delivering community and mental healthcare services for adults and children.

The organisation also highlights award-winning equality and diversity work, staff health and wellbeing activities, significant investment in employee development, Disability Confident Leader status at Level 3, recognition in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years, and a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation.

Through staff networks and training opportunities, NELFT aims to maintain a fair, compassionate, and inclusive culture.