Healthcare Support Worker
Learn more about becoming a Healthcare Support Worker
Are you looking for a rewarding career in mental health? Whether you’re starting out or changing careers, becoming a healthcare support worker at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust could be your next step.
We’re recruiting support workers in Leeds and York to work across our inpatient and community mental health services. These roles are ideal for anyone interested in mental health support worker jobs, even if you have no prior healthcare experience.
What You’ll Do
As a mental health support worker, you’ll work under the supervision of qualified professionals to support people with their mental health and wellbeing. Your responsibilities may include:
- Providing day-to-day care and emotional support
- Assisting with daily activities such as eating and drinking
- Taking vital measurements and monitoring physical and mental health
- Supporting patients through safe observations, sometimes on a 1:1 basis
- Contributing to personalised care plans as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Keeping accurate records and communicating effectively with colleagues and families
Who We’re Looking For
You don’t need previous healthcare experience to apply. We welcome people from all backgrounds who are:
- Caring and compassionate
- Good communicators
- Calm under pressure
- Problem solvers with sound judgement
- Observant and empathetic
If you’ve worked in customer service, education, care, or raised a family, you may already have many of the transferable skills we value in a care support worker.
Read Christopher’s story: From Creativity to Care: Christopher’s Journey into the NHS
Training and Development
We’re committed to supporting your growth from day one.
Induction and Care Certificate
All new NHS support workers complete a structured induction and the Care Certificate – a nationally recognised qualification covering 15 essential standards, including:
- Duty of care
- Communication
- Safeguarding
- Mental health awareness
- Infection prevention and control
Care certificate training should be completed in the initial 12 weeks in post, however, there is some flexibility and where needed this can be extended. All health care support workers who have not previously completed NVQ level 2 training or above are required to complete this training.
Find out more, read Ozioma’s experience of working as a health support worker at the Trust in our older people inpatient service.
Supervision and Support
We offer regular supervision and access to a pastoral support network to help you thrive. This includes:
- Normative supervision – focusing on training and career progression
- Formative supervision – helping you reflect and grow in your role
- Restorative supervision – supporting your wellbeing and preventing burnout
- Supervision can be one-to-one or in peer groups, and helps you feel supported, confident, and connected.
Career Pathways
Being a clinical support worker or bank support worker is a great starting point in the NHS. You can:
- Specialise in a particular area of mental health
- Train to become a Nursing Associate, Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or other healthcare professional
- Apply for support worker apprenticeships and further study
We’ll support you every step of the way.
A job at LYPFT offers fantastic benefits and support for staff.
Page last updated: 23rd Oct 2025 10:24am