Mental Health Support worker - Dementia Day hospital
| Posting date: | 27 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £9,974 - £10,639 p.a. |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 29 March 2026 |
| Location: | Poole, BH12 4NB |
| Company: | Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7805452/152-M55125 |
Summary
A Vacancy at Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust.
We are currently recruiting for a Mental Health Support Worker post in Haymoor Day Hospital, at the Alderney Hospital site in Poole. The Day Hospital serves the whole of Dorset and operates from 08.30 to 16.30 Monday to Friday. This is a small and very well-established team that cares for some very complex people with a range of dementia health needs and works very closely with other specialist services for dementia in the Trust such as the Intensive Community Support for Dementia East and local Community Mental Health Teams.
This key role will work within a small nursing team offering high quality mental health nursing care as well as meaningful occupational and recreational activities for up to twelve people a day with a high level of dementia health needs attending the service.
The role involves actively participating in the organisation and delivery of activities and being part of a flexible treatment programme that offers person-centred nursing care.
We are looking for someone who is motivated to make a real difference in dementia health. Key skill required for the role include calmness, compassion, and a passion for working with older adults. Team working skills are essential attributes for this role, along with flexibility, excellent communication, and occupational and therapeutic skills. Experience of working with people with dementia is preferred plus an excellent standard of engagement skills.
Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.
Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.
Our Haymoor Day Hospital Team Vision: We aspire to always provide a safe, caring environment which commits to treating people as individuals and offers quality, therapeutic support to people affected by dementia.
You will be working with people with dementia who present with behavioural and psychological symptoms which may cause them to become agitated, distressed, tearful or aggressive at times
You will be supporting patients with meals, activities and personal care as needed, and who at times may require transport in and out of the day hospital
You will have the ability to communicate effectively with patients with dementia and adapt communication style accordingly .
You will be an active member of the multi-disciplinary team in assisting and engaging patients in organised, planned meaningful activities for patients, monitoring patients’ personal hygiene standards and ensuring these are maintained.
You will participate in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Physical Intervention (PI), breakaway training and manual handling; and to be able to perform the required techniques as and when required.
You will be required to undertake a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course, and it is a condition of your employment that you successfully complete all aspects of this course; if this is not achieved you will not be able to commence working in the post.
At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.
We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidate’s individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
This advert closes on Sunday 15 Mar 2026
We are currently recruiting for a Mental Health Support Worker post in Haymoor Day Hospital, at the Alderney Hospital site in Poole. The Day Hospital serves the whole of Dorset and operates from 08.30 to 16.30 Monday to Friday. This is a small and very well-established team that cares for some very complex people with a range of dementia health needs and works very closely with other specialist services for dementia in the Trust such as the Intensive Community Support for Dementia East and local Community Mental Health Teams.
This key role will work within a small nursing team offering high quality mental health nursing care as well as meaningful occupational and recreational activities for up to twelve people a day with a high level of dementia health needs attending the service.
The role involves actively participating in the organisation and delivery of activities and being part of a flexible treatment programme that offers person-centred nursing care.
We are looking for someone who is motivated to make a real difference in dementia health. Key skill required for the role include calmness, compassion, and a passion for working with older adults. Team working skills are essential attributes for this role, along with flexibility, excellent communication, and occupational and therapeutic skills. Experience of working with people with dementia is preferred plus an excellent standard of engagement skills.
Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.
Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.
Our Haymoor Day Hospital Team Vision: We aspire to always provide a safe, caring environment which commits to treating people as individuals and offers quality, therapeutic support to people affected by dementia.
You will be working with people with dementia who present with behavioural and psychological symptoms which may cause them to become agitated, distressed, tearful or aggressive at times
You will be supporting patients with meals, activities and personal care as needed, and who at times may require transport in and out of the day hospital
You will have the ability to communicate effectively with patients with dementia and adapt communication style accordingly .
You will be an active member of the multi-disciplinary team in assisting and engaging patients in organised, planned meaningful activities for patients, monitoring patients’ personal hygiene standards and ensuring these are maintained.
You will participate in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Physical Intervention (PI), breakaway training and manual handling; and to be able to perform the required techniques as and when required.
You will be required to undertake a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course, and it is a condition of your employment that you successfully complete all aspects of this course; if this is not achieved you will not be able to commence working in the post.
At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.
We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidate’s individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
This advert closes on Sunday 15 Mar 2026