Clinical Support Assistant

NHS; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 40,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job description

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Support Assistant

The closing date is 26 February 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Clinical Support Assistant to join our new Intensive Support Team (IST) working alongside the Community Autism and Learning Disability Service.

This is a community-based, specialist team preventing crisis, reducing hospital admissions, and supporting people with learning disabilities and/or autism who are most at risk of unplanned admissions due to mental illness or behavioural presentation. Core hours for the service are 8am to 8pm however there is an expectation that the service can provide support outside these hours if required. in the least restrictive setting.

The expectation of the Intensive Support Team will be to:

• support people who present with behaviours that challenge the system,
• work with people with complex mental health presentation
• work with the person in their own residence, reducing/preventing the need for the use of restrictive practices, inpatient services and out-of-area/residential placements.

The service will be integrated at a local level across all relevant services and provide psychological and psychiatric person-centred interventions for people accessing either the specialist learning disabilities team, or the enhanced primary care service.

Geographical area is South Tyneside and there is an expectation that the post holder will need to be able to facilitate community appointments and access other CNTW and STSFT sites.

Main duties of the job

To assist in the delivery of care to service users who have a learning disability or autism and who have a variety of needs, diverse presentations, and a range of complex mental health conditions, under the direction of a registered practitioner.

To implement and evaluate care within a prescribed framework as a member of the care team ensuring that high quality, individualised care is delivered and that this promotes recovery and wellbeing and maximises independence.

To maintain electronic health records of any treatment interventions completed.

To work as a member of the team in providing excellent and effective person-centred care. In-reach work into hospital environments will be required.

To provide compassionate care that is based on empathy, kindness, respect and dignity.

To actively engage with supervision and appraisal process as identified in Trust policy.

About us

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.

Job responsibilities

Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date : 12th February 2026

Closing date : 26th February 2026

We welcome your application.

Please note - this vacancy may close early once a suitable number of applications are received.

Person Specification

Education and Experience

• Senior Healthcare Support Worker or equivalent or working towards
• GCSE A-C in maths and English or equivalent.

Knowledge and Skills

• Experience of working/ volunteering in an appropriate care setting
• Previous experience in a community setting.
• Experience of involving service users/ carers in evaluation/planning and monitoring of services

Skills and Competencies

• Good verbal and written communication skills
• ICT Functional skills
• Ability to work without direct supervision
• Ability to develop the skills of others and to contribute to a learning environment
• Specific skills as dictated by the post/ 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.

Employer name

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust