Job overview

Interviews are due to be held on 09 June 2025.

Sorrel Ward is an 11 bed Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit for Adults based in Reading, located close to the amenities of the town centre and a leafy park. We work closely with patients to help them identify their needs and participate actively in their recovery, providing a place of nurture, where they can find hope and meaningful purpose to their lives. 

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust can provide you with a dynamic, people-centred environment, where you will be empowered to support patients with complex conditions, adopting a personalised approach to patient care that maximises independence, choice, and control, following our philosophy of enabling people to reach and maintain their optimum level of health and wellbeing.   

A calming influence, you will be able to deal with difficult and distressing situations professionally. Your energy and drive will be rewarded with the support of an enthusiastic team that strives to create a warm, friendly, and compassionate environment. 

Main duties of the job

• To demonstrate a knowledge and awareness of current clinical issues in relation to people currently experiencing mental health problems.
•  To take the lead in planning a range of therapeutic activities that are appropriate for the needs of patients in agreement with the multi-disciplinary team.
• To be able to establish effective therapeutic engagement and relationships with inpatients and carers.
• To facilitate social and recreational activities/groups for inpatients with a range of problems and complex needs, with the aim of supporting their health, well-being and recovery.
• To ensure a programme of daily activities/groups are on display for inpatients to see and provided in a timely and organised manner to support routine and structure.
• To work on the wards and promote engagement in activities and provide low level stimulus, e.g. creative activities, social interactions, discussions.
• To be able to assess patients’ well-being during activities and social interactions and monitor progress.
• To adapt activities to meet the needs of people and provide a calming, de-escalating manner at all times.
• To provide verbal and written feedback to relevant multidisciplinary team members following activities as required.
• To complete robust documentation of each session within the patients’ care record following an activity. 
• To risk assess all activities provided and ensure individual risk assessments for patients participating in these activities on or off the ward is read and understood.

Working for our organisation

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

At Berkshire Healthcare, we foster an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs.

Watch our careers video to learn more.

We welcome talent from all backgrounds and offer guaranteed interviews to disabled applicants and armed forces community members who meet the minimum criteria.

Please note we may close positions before the advertised date.

If you need help with your application, please contact us on [email protected]

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