Welcome from our Chief Executive

Our organisation is expanding and we're looking for people with the right values, skills and/or potential to join us. We need people with energy, expertise, enthusiasm to help us provide the very best possible specialist NHS mental health and learning disability care. This involves helping us achieve our strategy to improve the quality of life for the communities we serve through People, Prevention and Partnerships.

So what can we offer you in return?

We're an organisation which puts people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. We'll help you learn, acquire new skills and gain further experience to support your career development. And we'll provide the opportunity for you to bring your fresh ideas to work about how we can do things differently and continue improving.

You will also be joining a health and care system committed to working together to do the best we can for the communities we serve. Above all, at Sussex Partnership you'll have the chance to make a difference to the lives of the patients, carers and families across our communities.

If you like the sound of that, then come and join our team.

Job overview

The Department of Psychiatry in Eastbourne, East Sussex are looking for a committed Band 2 Housekeeper to work on the wards as part of a dedicated team of professionals that provide the highest standards of care and support to those with Acute Mental Health needs.

Main duties of the job

You will work as part of the ward team by contributing to the provision of a comfortable and suitable environment for the patient group. The role is essential to ensure that the ward is clean and tidy, maintenance issues are addressed, and that food, linen and other provisions are available to ensure the needs of the patient group are met. It is essential that you are a car driver as there are times when you will need to visit the local shops/cash and carry to complete purchases for the ward.

You will establish and maintain good working relationships with Nursing, Medical, and Clerical, Catering, Domestic and Estates staff in order to provide a friendly, clean and comfortable environment for patients, visitors and staff working directly on the ward.

Working for our organisation

The Trust provides mental health and learning disability care for all ages across Sussex and for children and young people in Hampshire.

Living & working in Sussex

• Travel easily between coast and countryside, with a blend of picturesque villages and seaside towns
• Embrace the outstanding natural beauty spots including the iconic Beachy Head and Seven Sisters National Park
• Known as 'The Sunshine Coast', Eastbourne offers a traditional Victorian seafront combined with the more modern Sovereign Harbour Marina

We'd love you to join our Trust, rated 'good' overall and 'outstanding' for caring by the CQC. Our staff agree, recent staff survey results told us that 82% recognise that care for patients is our top priority.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Successful candidates will have strong communication and people skills, a non-judgmental and person-centred approach and above all a real caring attitude and be prepared to make a difference.

In return for your skills and expertise we can offer you continued training and development, variety and a rewarding challenge and the opportunity to work within a friendly and supportive team

Your working hours will be Monday to Friday 07.30 - 15.30, although an earlier start time can be discussed.

Person specification

Knowledge/Experience
Essential criteria

• Experience of working with people with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity
• Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties

Skills
Essential criteria

• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate with a range of people
• Able to communicate in a sensitive and reassuring manner
• Collect, collate and report routine and simple data and information
• Ability to prioritise workload with direct support
• Able to follow work schedules with minimal day to day supervision after initial training
• Assist in maintaining own and others health safety and security
• To be able to use basic computer skills for ordering of stock and email communication

Sussex Partnership NHS FT is committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our communities. Our workforce is currently under-represented from Black and Minority, Ethnic and disabled communities and we would welcome applications from these communities.

We regret that we are unable to advise candidates if they have not been shortlisted. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

In the event of an excessive number of applicants the Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy earlier than indicated.

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust takes its responsibilities for the safeguarding and protection of children and young people and vulnerable adults very seriously and expects this of all its employees and bank workers. The Trust works with adult and children's social care to ensure that the integrated service has systems in place to equip staff and bank workers with the knowledge and skills to recognize abuse, and take action to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults and children and young people. It is expected that all staff and bank workers familiarise themselves with the appropriate structures and policies and with the Sussex child protection and safeguarding procedures and the Sussex multi-agency policy and procedures for safeguarding vulnerable adults and undertake the relevant essential training and further training appropriate to their role.

Successful candidates are normally offered salaries at the bottom of the relevant salary range. However, where previous or equivalent NHS experience in a similar role can be demonstrated and evidenced, this may be taken into consideration when setting the starting salary.