Job Description

Interview will be held on 13th Oct 2025



The post holder will be part of The Care Home Support Team (CHST) . CHST deliver specialist practice to improve outcomes and more effective management of physical and mental health needs for people living in residential and nursing homes by working with the care home staff to enhance their knowledge, skills, and confidence. CHST consists of a Registered General Nurses, Registered Mental Health Nurses, and Therapists working collaboratively with the care homes, GPs, and wider multidisciplinary colleagues. The team provide dedicated support to care home staff to enable them to produce individualised and holistic care plans, through providing training, advice, and guidance during MDT 's . The team support care homes to optimise patient care in aiding sustainable placements for residents and avoiding inappropriate inpatient admissions.



The post holder will have experience of advanced clinical practice within a clinical specialit y and use their specialist knowledge and skills to provide expert professional and clinical advice to care home staff on the treatment and care of their residents in complex cases .



CHST works 5 days a week, Monday to Friday, 9-5, however the post holder has some flexibility depending on the needs of the care homes. This is a permanent role for 22.5 hours per week



To build good working relationships with the care homes in the area.



Advise care homes on management of dementia, mental health symptoms and management, mental capacity, DOLs and safeguarding.



Support implementing service redesign initiatives which meet local and national priorities and are in line with commissioning intentions.



Provide education to care homes via TEAMS or face to face on mental health issues, champion work and areas of care the home has identified as a need. This could be formal or informally with role modelling/upskilling.



Provide a holistic assessment to aid medical diagnosis, management and treatment of complex residents in the care home environment and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions or placement failure.



Work in collaboration with other members of the MDT, Mental Health teams, LA Care Quality teams and the Integrated Care Board.



Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

Caring for and about you is our top priority



Committed to providing good quality, safe services



Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions



Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:



Flexible working options to support work-life balance



27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell



Generous NHS pension scheme



Excellent learning and career development opportunities



'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles



Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services



Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants



Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality



Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave



Free parking across Trust sites

The "must haves" for you to be considered for this role:

You must be a Registered Mental Health Nurse on the appropriate part of the NMC Register.



Experience in elderly mental health and some teaching skill or enthusiasm.



Experience of informal teaching



Car driver with business insurance, ability and readiness to travel to multiple sites



For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.



We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted. For further application tips - see the help with your application document attached once you click apply.



If you're someone who shares our passion for excellence and care, you belong at Berkshire Healthcare!



We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required.



We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Jane Akoko on 07929185020 or email: jane.akoko@berkshire.nhs.uk who'll be delighted to help.



Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.