Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Family Care Assistant

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

To assist the trained staff in the delivery of care to babies, children, young people (BCYP) and their families, ensuring the highest possible standards of care are received by children and their families / carers while on the unit, under the supervision of qualified staff

Main duties of the job

Observations and assessment of patients

Following a period of training, you will carry out basic observations and admission assessments of BCYP under the supervision of a qualified nurse/nurse associate.

Following a period of training, you will carry out basic phlebotomy skills on BCYP under the supervision of a qualified nurse/nurse associate.

You will use EPR to record observations under the supervision of a qualified nurse/nurse associate.

You will support BCYP, in collaboration with their parents and carers in providing basic hygiene needs.

You will support BCYP in collaboration with their parents and carers in providing food, fluids and other basic nutritional requirements (you will be expected to provide an enhanced level of support to patients with eating disorders).

You will support children and young people with Mental Health needs (including providing 1:1 Supervision if needed under the supervision of a qualified member of staff). This may include carrying out risk assessments and documenting interactions in collaboration with a qualified member of staff.

Following the appropriate training and with documented competence, you will supervise BCYP with stable high dependency needs such as tracheostomies (including providing 1:1 supervision if needed under the direct supervision, and with the support of a qualified member of staff)

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Details

Date posted

25 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

418-AHP9443-CW

Job locations

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Supports the nursing staff in ensuring the maintenance of high standards of care.

Ensures that medical and emergency equipment is kept in a safe condition and is ready for use when required.

Participates in the ordering of supplies and ensuring the department is well stocked.

Participates in monitoring the ward environment and submits estates request as required by the ward management team.

Monitors faulty equipment and reports to the appropriate department.

Collects information as required.

Assists in the orientation of new staff to the unit as required.

Have an awareness of common mental health disorders and overcome barriers to understanding what may be a result of a mental health care need.

Have an awareness of frequently used sections under the Mental Health Act (1983) and how these may influence the care and treatment of the Service User.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Supports the nursing staff in ensuring the maintenance of high standards of care.

Ensures that medical and emergency equipment is kept in a safe condition and is ready for use when required.

Participates in the ordering of supplies and ensuring the department is well stocked.

Participates in monitoring the ward environment and submits estates request as required by the ward management team.

Monitors faulty equipment and reports to the appropriate department.

Collects information as required.

Assists in the orientation of new staff to the unit as required.

Have an awareness of common mental health disorders and overcome barriers to understanding what may be a result of a mental health care need.

Have an awareness of frequently used sections under the Mental Health Act (1983) and how these may influence the care and treatment of the Service User.

Person Specification

Essential

Essential

  • Experience of working with children

Desirable

  • Care certificate

Essential

Essential

  • Good written and spoken English

Desirable

  • Pervious working in a NHS setting

Essential

Essential

  • Understanding of safeguarding

Desirable

  • Safe Guarding Training
Person Specification

Essential

Essential

  • Experience of working with children

Desirable

  • Care certificate

Essential

Essential

  • Good written and spoken English

Desirable

  • Pervious working in a NHS setting

Essential

Essential

  • Understanding of safeguarding

Desirable

  • Safe Guarding Training

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

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).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ


Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ


Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

CAU and Virtual Ward Manager

Olivia Zielinska

olivia.zielinska@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk

01234792204

Details

Date posted

25 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

418-AHP9443-CW

Job locations

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)