Health Care Assistant – HMP Chelmsford
Location: Chelmsford
Salary: £24,071 – £25,674 pro rata
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Part Time (23 hours per week)
Closing Date: 2nd of June 2026
Make a real difference where it matters most.
We’re looking for a compassionate, motivated Health Care Assistant to join our multidisciplinary team delivering high‑quality care within a residential detox and recovery service based at HMP Chelmsford. This is a part‑time role (23 hours per week), offering a hands‑on opportunity to support clients through medical detox and recovery, promoting physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
You’ll work within an integrated healthcare framework, supporting individuals at a critical point in their recovery journey, alongside a dedicated team of healthcare professionals.
What you’ll be doing:
- Supporting nursing and medical staff to deliver care to clients undergoing medical detox, including those with complex needs
- Monitoring and reporting on physical, mental and psychological wellbeing
- Providing 1:1 support, brief crisis interventions, and contributing to community and conduct meetings
- Supporting safe medicines management and maintaining accurate electronic records
- Working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team
- Promoting a safe, caring environment and escalating safeguarding or risk concerns
What we’re looking for:
- Experience within substance misuse services and/or residential settings
- Understanding of the impact of addiction on individuals and communities
- Knowledge of the 12 Step recovery model (minimum 3 years’ abstinence if in recovery)
- A compassionate, proactive approach and strong teamwork skills
- Commitment to safeguarding, infection control and best practice care
If you’re passionate about recovery‑focused nursing and want to make a tangible impact in a unique and challenging environment, we’d love to hear from you.
All prison‑based roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and HMPPS security vetting. These checks can take up to 5 months to complete. Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful completion of both checks.
Please note if you have lived overseas within the last 5 years then checks may take longer.
Benefits
- Flexible working
- Training and development opportunities
- BHSF Cashback Scheme (optional)
- Season Ticket Loan Scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Crisis Loan Scheme
- Electric Car Scheme
- 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata’d for part time employees)
- Access to Blue Light Card
- 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
- Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter
- Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
- Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
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