Healthcare Support Worker

Job summary

We are offering an exciting opportunity for a committed and compassionate individual to join the multidisciplinary team within Maple Ward, a low secure forensic inpatient service based within Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. This is a 24-hour service and therefore will suit someone who is comfortable working shift patterns, including days, nights, weekends, and bank holidays. Maple Ward provides specialist care, treatment and supervision for 13 male patients aged 18 and over who present with complex and enduring mental health needs. Many of the individuals we support have a history of significant risk-related behaviours, including those who have committed serious offences or are considered at risk of causing harm to others. The ward environment is specifically designed to provide safe, structured, and recovery-focused care while promoting dignity, respect, and rehabilitation.

As a Health Care Support Worker, you will play a vital role in supporting qualified nursing staff and the wider MDT to deliver high-quality, person-centred care. You will actively engage patients in therapeutic activities, assist with daily living tasks, contribute to care planning, and help maintain a safe and therapeutic environment on the ward. The role requires compassion, resilience, excellent communication skills, and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of individuals with complex mental health and forensic needs.

Main duties of the job

Key duties include:

• Providing direct support with daily living activities, such as meals, personal care and engagement in therapeutic activities.
• Supporting the psychological and emotional wellbeing of patients, using de-escalation skills, relational security and professional boundaries at all times.
• Contributing to the management of risk, including observation levels, security procedures, and maintaining a therapeutic but safe ward environment.
• Participating in ward-based activities, including structured sessions, and groups.
• Maintaining physical, procedural, and relational security in accordance with low secure standards, using the least restrictive measures necessary to ensure safety.

Candidates will demonstrate:

• Previous experience in a healthcare, support, or care setting.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build therapeutic relationships while maintaining boundaries.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team, contributing positively to the ward environment and multidisciplinary approach.
• A compassionate and trauma-informed approach to supporting individuals with complex mental health needs.
• Enthusiasm, motivation and resilience, particularly when working in a challenging and dynamic secure setting.
• An understanding of confidentiality, dignity and respect within mental health and forensic services

The ability to speak Welsh, which is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

About us

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 17,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving over 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone, delivering excellent care and support.

Our mission is "Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together", and our vision is that every person's chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. Our 10-year transformation and improvement strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, is our chance to work collaboratively with the public and our workforce to make our health board more sustainable for the future.