Job summary
- Main area
- Reception
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Post holder will be working at least 3 long days / week)
- Job ref
- 334-NCL-8271803-MU
- Employer
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- River House Reception - Bethlem Royal Hospital
- Town
- Beckenham
- Salary
- £30,630 - £32,346 per annum inclusive of HCAS
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 19/10/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Therapeutic Security Support Assistant - Band 3
NHS AfC: Band 3
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We deliver specialist services in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Wandsworth and Richmond.
We are committed to provide a high quality and specialist care to our service users and we are recognised for our care and treatment we provide. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’.
We launched our five-year strategy, Aiming High; Changing Lives in 2021 together with Our Care Improvement System as our quality management system methodology to make a positive impact on patient care, outcomes and staff experience. By joining SLaM, all staff will get the opportunity to be part of this exciting improvement journey supported with learning and development to harness everyone’s potential as change makers.
The trust recognises the unique and valuable contribution that people with lived experience of mental illness can bring to a role. We therefore welcome applications from people with lived experience and consider them as an asset to the Trust.
Our Values
We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values and our promise to be caring, kind, polite, prompt, honest, listen and do what I say I’m going to do is at the heart of everything we do. When you join us, you’ll be part of something special.
As a Trust we are happy to talk flexible working.
Job overview
The post holder will work closely with the Therapeutic Security Deputy Lead to ensure the effective management of the River House Reception, providing an efficient, professional, and secure front-of-house service on a 24-hour basis. They will offer advice, guidance, and support to managers, clinicians, and other staff members as required.
The post holder will deliver a sensitive, professional, and non-judgemental reception service, responding promptly and courteously to enquiries from service users, visitors, carers, and staff. They will be responsible for creating a welcoming and supportive environment while ensuring all interactions are managed in accordance with security and operational procedures.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will;
Maintaining the safety and security of the unit through regular perimeter checks and monitoring of physical security systems.
Managing and auditing security keys and Ascom handsets, reporting any discrepancies and supporting staff in the use of the key management system in accordance with the River House Key Management Protocol.
Carrying out physical searches of visitors, carers, patients, contractors and their belongings in line with security procedures.
Providing information and assistance to patients, carers, visitors, contractors and multidisciplinary staff.
Supporting emergency responses and assisting with the coordination of actions during fire alarms and other emergency situations.
Arranging and monitoring Buddi tracking requests for patient leave and communicating relevant information to clinical teams.
Undertaking patient escort duties, including supporting patients returning from Section 17 leave, and providing driving duties for patients and, where appropriate, staff members.
Working collaboratively across medium and low secure services while maintaining awareness of potential risks, including physical and verbal aggression.
Working for our organisation
Benefits:
We are committed to ensuring our staff get the most out of their benefits package and understand the importance of a healthy work life balance. There is an extensive range of excellent benefits for you and your family. We want you to feel like you are part of a close knit team at SLaM. It’s important to us that you are valued and appreciated and that is why we have a comprehensive benefits package on offer
Some of our benefits are highlighted here:
· Generous pay, pensions and leave, we offer a comprehensive pay, pensions and leave package which is dependent on the role and length of service.
· Work life balance, flexible working and support a range of flexible options, such as: part-time working and job sharing.
· Career development, There are plenty of opportunities to progress your career and we support your development through a number of programmes such as mentoring, coaching, positive people management, collective leadership and other talent programmes
· Car lease, our staff benefits from competitive deals to lease cars
· NHS discounts, with discounts up to 10% from a variety of well-known retail brands though Health Service Discounts website.Other benefits include:
· Counselling services
· Wellbeing events
· Long service awards
· Cycle to work scheme
· Season ticket loan
· Childcare vouchers
· Staff restaurants
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will contribute to the delivery of a safe, secure and therapeutic environment within the forensic medium and low secure services. They will demonstrate a sound understanding of procedural, physical and relational security in line with the Department of Health's See, Think, Act framework and ensure all duties are carried out in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
Key responsibilities include:
- Maintaining the security and integrity of the unit through daily perimeter inspections, environmental checks and security audits.
- Conducting proactive and reactive searches of patients, visitors, contractors and property in accordance with local security procedures, while respecting individual rights, dignity and cultural needs.
- Operating and supporting the use of security systems and equipment, including radios, Ascom alarms, search equipment, Buddi tracking and the Traka key management system.
- Undertaking weekly testing of wall panic alarms and monitoring the functionality of security systems throughout the service.
- Assisting in the implementation and maintenance of business continuity arrangements and supporting the response to fire alarms, emergencies and major incidents.
- Recording and reporting accidents, incidents and security concerns using the Trust's Datix reporting system.
- Supporting the induction and training of new staff in relation to security procedures and protocols.
- Providing patient escort and transport services, including accompanying patients to external appointments, courts, hospitals and home visits as required.
- Attending patient activities and events to support engagement whilst maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
- Providing support to clinical teams during incidents of violence and aggression, including participating in site-wide responses where required.
- Carrying out administrative duties, audits and record-keeping activities to support service delivery.
- Maintaining patient confidentiality at all times and using Trust communication systems, including email, in accordance with Trust policies.
The successful candidate will be able to work effectively under pressure, communicate confidently with a wide range of people, recognise and appropriately challenge unacceptable behaviour, and consistently promote the safety, dignity and wellbeing of patients, staff and visitors.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- GCSE/NVQ/ Certificate Level II/III
- A - Levels
Desirable criteria
- Educated to Degree or Equivalent
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Able to manage front of house Reception
- Able to problem solve and seek guidance where necessary.
- Understanding of and ability to undertake audits.
- Able to carry out a reception induction of new staff.
- Knowledge of the workings of current technology and its use/capabilities
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of key management software.
- Knowledge of Tracking Software
- Knowledge of security procedures
- Knowledge of performing searches
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
- Effective communication and positive interpersonal skills
- Ability to use own initiative when required.
- Ability to recognise inappropriate behaviour and set/maintain boundaries.
- Ability to use Word; Excel; PowerPoint; Outlook; Explorer
- Sound written communication/ report writing skills.
- Ability to be flexible, reliable, responsible and with a caring attitude.
Desirable criteria
- Ability to work under pressure and able to seek assistance when required.
- Ability to manage, organise and develop data management and storage systems.
- Motivated and committed to work in secure mental health services.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Micah Egyapong-Otoo
- Job title
- Head of Reception
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 02032288400
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