Mental Health Transport Assistant

1 week ago

Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom Secure Care UK Full time £27,780 per year
Mental Health Transport Assistant - Full Time (40.3 hours/week)
Location: The Old Stables, Tonbridge Road, Mereworth, Maidstone, ME18 5LR
Reports To: Deputy Care Operations Manager (DCOM)
Job Type: Full-time and Flexi
Shift Pattern: 4 on / 4 off (alternating between 4 days and 4 nights)
Pay: Blended rate of £13.14 p/h (Annual Remuneration starting from £27,580.26 based on expected hours)

If you're looking for a rewarding role in Mental Health Care, this is your opportunity Working in healthcare allows you to make a real difference in people's lives during their most vulnerable moments.

We are seeking compassionate and dedicated Mental Health Transport Assistants to join our growing team. Experience is a bonus, but not essential-full training is provided. We're looking for empathetic individuals who thrive in a team environment and are committed to providing respectful, person-centred care.

This role involves far more than driving. You'll be working directly with patients, ensuring their safe and dignified transport, often during mental health crises. Situations may require you to apply de-escalation techniques and trained interventions, always prioritising patient wellbeing.

This is a highly unpredictable and emotionally demanding role, often supporting individuals in distress or crisis. Candidates must demonstrate compassion, patience, and emotional resilience. You will need to manage sensitive and sometimes distressing information, adapt quickly to changing situations, and maintain professionalism in high-pressure environments. In return, you will be part of a supportive and inclusive team making a meaningful difference every day.

Equal Opportunities

Secure Care UK is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, in line with the Equality Act 2010.

? What You'll Be Doing

You will support a range of transport needs involving individuals detained under the Mental Health Act, including:
  • Hospital transfers, court or prison escorts, and medical appointments
  • House extractions under Section 135, working alongside police and mental health professionals to safely move patients from their home to a place of safety
  • Community assessments, supporting local authority mental health reviews in people's homes
  • Bed watch services, where you supervise and support admitted patients during hospital stays
  • Suite Work, providing care and supervision for patients held in psychiatric suites under Section 136 or 135, often for up to 24-36 hours
You will work in crews of two or more, rotating between driving, escorting, and sitting with patients. We use secure, specially-adapted vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, with larger Safe Area Vehicles for more complex transfers.

? Requirements
  • Full UK Manual Driving License (Required)
  • Enhanced DBS certificate within the last 3 years (Preferred)
  • Strong communication skills and ability to stay calm under pressure
  • Team player with resilience, empathy, and great attention to detail
  • Minimum 12 months' driving experience preferred
? Who We Are

Secure Care UK was founded in 2013 in response to a national need for safe and compassionate transport for individuals detained under the Mental Health Act. We are the only Secure Patient Transport provider in the UK meeting Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) standards. Headquartered in St Leonards, we operate nationally and also handle some international transfers. Celebrating 10 years of service in 2023, our core values remain: Patient First, Respect, Openness, Unity, and Determination.

? What We Offer

Training & Development
  • Full induction including de-escalation, physical intervention, handcuff training, and First Aid
  • Additional specialist training and NVQ Diplomas
  • Career progression and mentoring opportunities
Benefits
  • Company pension
  • Refer-a-friend bonus
  • Health Care Cash Plan (after 6-month probation)
  • Blue Light Card eligibility
  • Employee Assistance Programme (from day one)
  • Full uniform and enhanced PPE
  • Additional annual leave after 2 years
  • Wagestream financial wellbeing platform
  • Monthly Care Awards and driver recognition schemes
  • Suggestion scheme with rewards for implemented ideas
Please Note

Due to the nature of our work, flexibility is essential. Shifts may overrun or vary depending on patient needs.
Overtime is paid at £22 p/h, with enhanced pay (£1.20 p/h) for work involving Place of Safety and Bed Watch.
Additional shift enhancements of £1.75 p/h may apply for call-ins or extra shifts.

If you're passionate about making a difference and supporting people through challenging times, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and start a meaningful career with Secure Care UK.

#SCUKIndeed

  • Patient Transport Driver

    4 days ago

    Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom ONTIME TRANSPORT SERVICES LTD Full time £26,000 - £30,000 per year

    Job OverviewWe are seeking reliable and professional Patient Transport Drivers to join our team. The successful candidates will be responsible for safely and efficiently transporting passengers to various locations covering the Kent wide area. This role requires excellent driving skills, kind and compassionate character, a strong sense of responsibility, and...

  • Mental Health Navigator

    2 weeks ago

    Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom Shaw Trust Full time £35,000 - £55,000 per year

    "Shaw Trust promotes team spirit, inclusiveness and it is an organisation where everybody is somebody. I am proud to be part of this great organisation."At Shaw Trust we believe everyone has the right to live a decent and dignified life and an opportunity for rewarding work. We are a social purpose organisation challenging inequality and breaking down...

  • Mental Health Navigator

    2 days ago

    Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom Sovereign & Bale Full time £25,307 - £31,863 per year

    Mental Health NavigatorLocation: Maidstone, Kent & MedwaySalary: £25,307 – £31,163Contract: Full-time, PermanentAbout the RoleWe are seeking a compassionate, experienced Mental Health Navigator to join a multi-agency service in Kent and Medway that supports people with complex mental health needs.This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a new,...

  • Transport Driver

    4 days ago

    Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom NHS Full time £25,000 - £35,000 per year

    Job overviewTo drive the many Trust vehicles within the Transport fleet to fulfil the functions of the service to Hospitals, Clinics and Departments throughout the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust area; transporting laundry, provisions, samples, notes etc.To become a member of the rotating transport shift that will be required to work occasional...

  • Health Care Assistant

    6 days ago

    Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom RCH Care Homes Full time £20,000 - £40,000 per year

    Maidstone Care Centre is a welcoming, beautifully decorated and purpose-built care home which specialises in Nursing, Residential and Dementia care for older people, and is currently seeking Health Care Assistants to join our friendly team.Responsibilities:Assisting residents with personal care activities such as washing, personal hygiene, dressing and...

  • Health Care Assistant

    5 days ago

    Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom RCH Care Homes Full time £18,000 - £30,000 per year

    Maidstone Care Centre is a welcoming, beautifully decorated and purpose-built care home which specialises in Nursing, Residential and Dementia care for older people, and is currently seeking Health Care Assistants to join our friendly team.ResponsibilitiesAssisting residents with personal care activities such as washing, personal hygiene, dressing and...

  • Ambulance Care Assistant

    1 week ago

    Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom G4S Technology Full time £27,846 - £40,000 per year

    AMBULANCE CARE ASSISTANT (DRIVER) - G4S PATIENT TRANSPORT SERVICES G4S Patient Transport Services, Unit 4a Lower Bell Industrial Estate, Old Chatham Road, Aylesford, Maidstone, Kent, ME20 7EZ Full Time, various shifts available hours per week, Permanent £27,846 per annum (£12.60 per hour) Excellent Company benefits include:Company pension scheme with...

  • Ambulance Care Assistant

    6 days ago

    Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom G4S Technology Full time £29,722 per year

    AMBULANCE CARE ASSISTANT (DRIVER) - G4S PATIENT TRANSPORT SERVICES Maidstone, ME20 7EZ Full Time, various shifts available hours per week, Permanent £27,922.58 per annum (£12.60 per hour) Excellent Company benefits include:Company pension scheme with employer contributions Free Uniform Free On-site Parking G4S Life Assurance Scheme Employee Assistance...

  • Health Care Assistant

    2 weeks ago

    Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom Eclectic Care Ltd Full time £24,000 - £28,000 per year

    Job SummaryWe are a growing healthcare agency providing high-quality care services to individuals across Maidstone and surrounding areas in Kent. Our services include community access care and support, domiciliary care, for people aged 18 and above, including elderly individuals, those with dementia, disabilities, and sensory impairments. Our mission is to...

  • Children's Health

    4 days ago

    Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom Involve Kent Full time £22,400 - £27,140 per year

    Involve Kent: Children's Health and Wellbeing Navigator – Maidstone Central PCNHours of work: 37.5Annual Leave: 30 days FTE plus bank holidaysSalary: up to £27,140 per annum FTEEmployed by: Involve KentResponsible to: Children's Health and Wellbeing ManagerBased: Maidstone Central Primary Care Network GP Practices:Bower Mount Medical CentreBrewer Street...