Job summary

A Healthcare Assistant on a Mother and Baby Unit provides essential support to women experiencing mental health difficulties during pregnancy or after the birth of their baby. MBUs are specialist inpatient services that enable mothers to receive treatment and recovery support while remaining with their babies in a safe and therapeutic environment.

Main duties of the job

Supporting mothers with their daily care needs and promoting independence. Assisting in the care, safety, and wellbeing of infants under the supervision of qualified staff. Observing and reporting changes in a mother's mental and physical health, mood, behaviour, or interactions with her baby. Building trusting relationships with mothers and their families to encourage recovery and engagement with treatment. Supporting therapeutic activities, parenting programmes, and group sessions. Assisting with feeding, bathing, settling, and developmental activities for babies when appropriate. Maintaining accurate records and communicating observations to the multidisciplinary team. Promoting a safe, clean, and therapeutic ward environment. Supporting mothers during escorted leave, appointments, and community activities. Contributing to safeguarding procedures and ensuring the welfare of both mother and baby.

Details

• Date posted: 03 November 2026
• Closing date: 18 November 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 3
• Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year Per annum, Pro rata
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 436-8319793
• Job locations: The Barberry, 25 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, B15 2FG, United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the Job description and Person Specification for detailed information on the expectations of the role and the qualities in a candidate that we are looking for.

For further information about the main responsibilities please view the attached job description and person specification.

We highly recommend you submit your application as soon as possible, this post may close earlier than the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.

We are unable to support applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work the United Kingdom (UK)

Please be aware that visa sponsorship is not available for this Band 3 Healthcare Assistant vacancy. To be appointed, you must have an existing right to work in the UK that allows you to take up the role and remain employed without requiring sponsorship from the Trust for at least three months from your start date.

Person Specification

Essential

Essential

• NVQ Level 2 Health and Social Care
• Experience within an inpatient mental health setting
• Able to demonstrate an interest in Perinatal Mental Health

Desirable

• NVQ Level 3
• Care Certificate
• Experience of working within a Female acute or Mother and baby inpatient service

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

About us

Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.

Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people's lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.

Employer details

• Employer name: Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
• Address: The Barberry, 25 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, B15 2FG, United Kingdom
• Employer's website: https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/