Job Description

Sunflower house is a specialist tier 4 inpatient provision serving NHS England in providing assessment, treatment and consultation services to children and their families presenting with a wide range of complex mental health problems.
This document provides an outline of the core objectives of the post, and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Its contents will be subject to annual review in consultation with the post holder as part of the annual personal development process.
Please note this vacancy may close early if a high volume of applications are received. Previous applicants need not apply
Main duties of the job
1. To work within defined daily structures; routines and care plans, to support and assist the unit multi- disciplinary team in the planning and delivery of patient care on an individual or group basis, informing the assessment and treatment process and promoting the therapeutic milieu of the service.
2. To support clinical and environmental risk assessment and the maintenance of a clean; tidy; safe and healthy environment.
3. To support and assist with the unit training; development and supervision process.
About us
Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust is committed to achieving equal opportunities in employment. All employees are expected to observe this policy in their behaviour to the public and fellow employees.
The creation of a safety culture within the Trust will result from effective teamwork. There is a contractual requirement on all employees to co-operate with their managers and colleagues in protecting the health and well-being of all people who work within, use, or are affected by, the Trust's services and activities.
The Trust conducts a system of performance and development planning as a key part of its annual business planning cycle. This ensures that all staff has an opportunity to take part in a discussion on the work they have done, and explore how they can improve and develop in their jobs, and formulating a set of personal objectives. This process includes a review of the job description on an annual basis.
Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust is committed to supporting all staff to balance work and other life needs. This is the responsibility of all employees and will be achieved by consultation, open communication and involvement of all team members.
Details
Date posted
09 June 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
24,625 to 25,674 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
411-COM-25-7218616
Job locations
Sunflower House - Catkin Building Alder Hey
Eaton Road
Liverpool
L12 2AP
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working under agreed supervision and support structures and in line with defined care plans and related policies and procedures, utilising basic observation, therapeutic communication and relationship skills, to support day-to-day working with complex and challenging children and their families:

• To work collaboratively with the core team, to assist in or lead on defined tasks andactivities in the day-to-day assessment and treatment of care needs.
• To undertake defined observations or tasks related to a particular child, or group of children, to inform the assessment and treatment process. This includes ensuring
• Effective and timely communication of any information received including incident or personal observation which may affect the childs physical/mental well-being or increase risk to others.
• To assist and support the provision and further development of the therapeutic milieu through processes concerning active participating in risk assessment, risk management and therapeutic activity planning.
• To contribute to the provision of high quality verbal and written clinical reports in relation to defined care and management plans and in line with related policy and procedures.
• To actively access and participate in the unit clinical supervision and support process enabling the development of a range of skills to enhance therapeutic activities, observation and communication skills.
• To co-work in defined formal therapy group work and education activities with the support and guidance of the multi-disciplinary team.
• To follow agreed policies and protocols.

Under the direction and supervision of the Team Co-ordinator:

• To organise and deliver on defined activities and outings on a daily and weekly basis in line with assessment and treatment goals for individual and groups of children.
• To report on any needs around staffing or other aspects in relation to planned activities you are responsible for as they arise.
• To support the team in the provision of a safe and healthy environment autonomous.

• To ensure personal training and development needs are defined and met in line with the service learning/development/competency requirements for band 3 staff and in line with the agreed PDP processes. This includes developing skills in providing evidence-based practice through professional study and participation of tasks related to research and audit.
• To actively participate in, and at times contribute to, the unit in house training anddevelopment programme.
• To provide a mentor role to new support staff working in the service and support their ongoing development needs under the direction of the Inpatient Manager.

HOUSE-KEEPING TASKS:
This is not an exhaustive list but gives an indication of the types of tasks you will be expected to autonomously undertake or ensure completion of on a daily basis:

• Meal planning/ order to kitchens.
• Outcome/feedback forms from children and their carers
• Identify and ensure supplies maintained - bread, milk, basic stores, linen etc.
• General filing nurse office.
• Identifying and reporting on repairs, cleanliness and tidying of unit environment.
• Bed making/room tidyingKeeping storage areas clean, tidy and safe.
• Basic emergency file/checks.
• Tasks of opening and closure of unit.

Job description
Job responsibilities
Working under agreed supervision and support structures and in line with defined care plans and related policies and procedures, utilising basic observation, therapeutic communication and relationship skills, to support day-to-day working with complex and challenging children and their families:

• To work collaboratively with the core team, to assist in or lead on defined tasks andactivities in the day-to-day assessment and treatment of care needs.
• To undertake defined observations or tasks related to a particular child, or group of children, to inform the assessment and treatment process. This includes ensuring
• Effective and timely communication of any information received including incident or personal observation which may affect the childs physical/mental well-being or increase risk to others.
• To assist and support the provision and further development of the therapeutic milieu through processes concerning active participating in risk assessment, risk management and therapeutic activity planning.
• To contribute to the provision of high quality verbal and written clinical reports in relation to defined care and management plans and in line with related policy and procedures.
• To actively access and participate in the unit clinical supervision and support process enabling the development of a range of skills to enhance therapeutic activities, observation and communication skills.
• To co-work in defined formal therapy group work and education activities with the support and guidance of the multi-disciplinary team.
• To follow agreed policies and protocols.

Under the direction and supervision of the Team Co-ordinator:

• To organise and deliver on defined activities and outings on a daily and weekly basis in line with assessment and treatment goals for individual and groups of children.
• To report on any needs around staffing or other aspects in relation to planned activities you are responsible for as they arise.
• To support the team in the provision of a safe and healthy environment autonomous.

• To ensure personal training and development needs are defined and met in line with the service learning/development/competency requirements for band 3 staff and in line with the agreed PDP processes. This includes developing skills in providing evidence-based practice through professional study and participation of tasks related to research and audit.
• To actively participate in, and at times contribute to, the unit in house training anddevelopment programme.
• To provide a mentor role to new support staff working in the service and support their ongoing development needs under the direction of the Inpatient Manager.

HOUSE-KEEPING TASKS:
This is not an exhaustive list but gives an indication of the types of tasks you will be expected to autonomously undertake or ensure completion of on a daily basis:

• Meal planning/ order to kitchens.
• Outcome/feedback forms from children and their carers
• Identify and ensure supplies maintained - bread, milk, basic stores, linen etc.
• General filing nurse office.
• Identifying and reporting on repairs, cleanliness and tidying of unit environment.
• Bed making/room tidyingKeeping storage areas clean, tidy and safe.
• Basic emergency file/checks.
• Tasks of opening and closure of unit.

Person Specification
HCA Band 3
Essential

• Care Certificate/NVQ level 3 / equivalent in a healthcare related topic or equivalent breadth of experience* English and Maths GCSE or equivalent, grade A-C
• Previous health care experience Basic nursing care Working with young people with eating difficulties

Desirable

• Paediatric equipment and appliances Child/adolescent mental health problems

Person Specification
HCA Band 3
Essential

• Care Certificate/NVQ level 3 / equivalent in a healthcare related topic or equivalent breadth of experience* English and Maths GCSE or equivalent, grade A-C
• Previous health care experience Basic nursing care Working with young people with eating difficulties

Desirable

• Paediatric equipment and appliances Child/adolescent mental health problems