Job Description

Are you a caring and motivated individual looking to make a difference in the lives of children and young people with complex health needs? We are looking for a Healthcare Assistant to join the dedicated team at Chailey Clinical Services, part of Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.
In this rewarding role, you will support the qualified nursing team in delivering high-quality, individualised care within either our Short Breaks Service or School environment. Under supervision, you will play a key part in maintaining a safe, nurturing, and effective care setting that meets the unique needs of each child or young person.
If you're passionate about supporting others and want to be part of a service that truly makes a difference, we'd love to hear from you.
Previous applicants need not apply.
Please note: Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, this role is unlikely to be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on thegov.uk website before applying to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.
Skilled Worker visa: going rates for eligible occupation codes - GOV.UK
Health and Care Worker visa: If you'll need to meet different salary requirements - GOV.UK
Main duties of the job
As a Healthcare Assistant within Chailey Clinical Services, you will provide direct, hands-on care to children and young people with complex health needs, supporting their physical, social, and emotional wellbeing during their stay in the Short Breaks Service or School setting.
Under the guidance of senior staff, you will assist with personal care, mobility, mealtimes, and daily activities, always promoting independence and dignity. You will use each child's preferred methods of communication to ensure their individual needs, wishes, and rights are respected and met.
Your role will also involve supporting therapeutic and developmental activities, both on-site and in the community, and contributing to care planning and documentation. You will play a key part in ensuring a safe, stimulating environment and helping young people engage fully in everyday life.
You will be expected to communicate effectively within a multidisciplinary team, maintain high standards of hygiene and safety, and participate in household tasks. Training will be provided to meet specific healthcare needs such as gastrostomy feeding or medicine administration.
Flexibility is essential, as the role involves working across a 24-hour rota, including nights and weekends, and may include working in other teams within Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.
About us
We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.
Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.
Why work for us?

• Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
• Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussex
• Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retirement
• Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
• Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
• Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
• Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast

Our values - Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence - guide everything we do.
We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.
This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.
Details
Date posted
29 December 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
24,937 to 26,598 a year per annum pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours
Reference number
150-MT2094-CC-B
Job locations
Chailey Heritage Foundation
Shripney rd
North Chailey
BN8 4EF
Job description
Job responsibilities
At Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, were looking for compassionate individuals with a strong commitment to supporting children and young people with complex needs. Youll ideally hold a relevant care qualification (e.g., NVQ Level 3) and have experience in care settings, particularly with children.
Youll be confident in supporting daily living tasks such as personal care, feeding, and dressing, and ready to develop skills in clinical areas like medication administration and gastrostomy care. A willingness to learn and a practical, hands-on approach are essential, as is the ability to contribute to rehabilitation goals and structured care plans.
Strong communication skills and a collaborative spirit are key- youll work closely with families and professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team. Youll be expected to understand professional boundaries, safeguard vulnerable children, and champion equality and inclusion in everything you do.
This is a flexible role, requiring shift work including nights and weekends, and the ability to travel between sites. Being a car driver is essential. Were looking for someone who can embrace the values of SCFT and make a real difference in the lives of children and young people. Job description
Job responsibilities
At Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, were looking for compassionate individuals with a strong commitment to supporting children and young people with complex needs. Youll ideally hold a relevant care qualification (e.g., NVQ Level 3) and have experience in care settings, particularly with children.
Youll be confident in supporting daily living tasks such as personal care, feeding, and dressing, and ready to develop skills in clinical areas like medication administration and gastrostomy care. A willingness to learn and a practical, hands-on approach are essential, as is the ability to contribute to rehabilitation goals and structured care plans.
Strong communication skills and a collaborative spirit are key- youll work closely with families and professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team. Youll be expected to understand professional boundaries, safeguard vulnerable children, and champion equality and inclusion in everything you do.
This is a flexible role, requiring shift work including nights and weekends, and the ability to travel between sites. Being a car driver is essential. Were looking for someone who can embrace the values of SCFT and make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
Person Specification
Qualifications and/or professional registration
Essential

• Qualifications in children/care work such as NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Experience
Essential

• Experience in an aspect of care work
• Experience working with children

Desirable

• Experience of working with children who have complex health needs

Skills and knowledge
Essential

• Evidence of practical ability which can be developed to enhance the everyday lives of children
• Evidence of commitment to working with children

Desirable

• Experience of undertaking a key HCA role for children taking a lead in their social, emotional and play needs

Other requirements
Essential

• Car Driver

Skills and knowledge
Essential

• Ability to work in partnership with families and children
• Able to meet the child's activities of daily living such as dressing, washing and assisting with feeding
• Display a willingness to develop knowledge and skills
• Able to learn how to administer medications and gastrostomy feeds and other clinical skills
• Able to carry out rehabilitation programmes and goal setting for children
• Written and verbal communications skills for assessments and care planning
• Ability to work as part of a team and the wider multi-professional team
• Able to undertake the role of primary HCA for a child ensuring that the children's social, emotional and play needs are met
• Able to demonstrate competency in giving children medication and gastrostomy feeding

Desirable

• Proven ability to carry out rehabilitation programmes and other clinical instructions from the multidisciplinary team

Other requirements
Essential

• An awareness of the need to protect vulnerable children
• To understand work related boundaries and the ability to refer matters of importance to a senior colleague
• Ability to work shifts including weekends and internal night rotation
• Ability to travel between sites using the most efficient and cost-effective means.
• Able to work across all services at Chailey Clinical Services and other SCFT locations, if required
• An understanding of the principles of equal opportunities in relation to staff and patients
• An understanding of the social model of disability

Person Specification
Qualifications and/or professional registration
Essential

• Qualifications in children/care work such as NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Experience
Essential

• Experience in an aspect of care work
• Experience working with children

Desirable

• Experience of working with children who have complex health needs

Skills and knowledge
Essential

• Evidence of practical ability which can be developed to enhance the everyday lives of children
• Evidence of commitment to working with children

Desirable

• Experience of undertaking a key HCA role for children taking a lead in their social, emotional and play needs

Other requirements
Essential

• Car Driver

Skills and knowledge
Essential

• Ability to work in partnership with families and children
• Able to meet the child's activities of daily living such as dressing, washing and assisting with feeding
• Display a willingness to develop knowledge and skills
• Able to learn how to administer medications and gastrostomy feeds and other clinical skills
• Able to carry out rehabilitation programmes and goal setting for children
• Written and verbal communications skills for assessments and care planning
• Ability to work as part of a team and the wider multi-professional team
• Able to undertake the role of primary HCA for a child ensuring that the children's social, emotional and play needs are met
• Able to demonstrate competency in giving children medication and gastrostomy feeding

Desirable

• Proven ability to carry out rehabilitation programmes and other clinical instructions from the multidisciplinary team

Other requirements
Essential

• An awareness of the need to protect vulnerable children
• To understand work related boundaries and the ability to refer matters of importance to a senior colleague
• Ability to work shifts including weekends and internal night rotation
• Ability to travel between sites using the most efficient and cost-effective means.
• Able to work across all services at Chailey Clinical Services and other SCFT locations, if required
• An understanding of the principles of equal opportunities in relation to staff and patients
• An understanding of the social model of disability

Skills Required