About this role
Job summary
St Elizabeth Hospice is an independent charity and hospice, which improves life for people in the East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney areas living with a progressive or life-limiting illness. Rated Outstanding from the Care Quality Commission, our work is centred on an individual's needs, which means specialist support, whenever and wherever it is needed, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice. We are well respected and praised for our responsiveness and expertise by people we serve.
Established in 1989, the hospice has built a reputation for delivering high-level care to patients and the community it serves. Through medicine and therapy, they ease pain; give life purpose and make life liveable. Last year the charity supported over 4,000 patients and their families.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join St Elizabeth Hospice, your local hospice at the heart of the community, and to be part of the Zest Young Adult service during an exciting period of expansion. We are looking to increase the support we offer to young people living with progressive illness and complex health care needs through extending our respite services and are looking for enthusiastic Care Assistants to do provide holistic, person-centred care and support.
Interview Date: 14th August 2026
Main duties of the job
If you have a passion for caring and are interested in making a real difference to patients and their families, come and join the outstanding St Elizabeth Hospice team.
Our ideal candidate will have NVQ level II or III in direct care, a Care Certificate or willingness to be complete. Training will be provided to ensure you are competent and confident to support young adults with complex care needs.
The role offers the unique opportunity to work alongside our outstanding multi-disciplinary team, supporting young adults using person-centred care to achieve their goals and maximising opportunities to increase independence, try new experiences, have fun and socialise with others. This may include inclusive activities at the hospice and outings into the community.
Hours: variety of hours available, with large proportion at weekends
Salary: WTE: £25,760.00 to £27,476.00 - Band 3
St Elizabeth Hospice is committed to safeguarding and protecting the adults and young people that we work with and has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, neglect and discrimination of any person. As such, all posts are subject to a rigorous safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We have a range of robust safeguarding policies in place which promote safeguarding across the hospice and staff are expected to undertake regular, mandatory safeguarding training to equip them with the knowledge and skills to identify and respond to potential risks.
About us
St Elizabeth Hospice is an innovative and compassionate organisation. Hear from Care Assistants themselves on why working at St Elizabeth Hospice is so special:
Joining the hospice is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I cant imagine working anywhere else, its a very special place to be and to work.
Many people have said it must be very sad to work at the hospice, which it can be, but it is also the most uplifting and positive place that I have ever worked.
I wouldnt change my job for the world. Being able to continue supporting people during difficult times in their lives, has been one of the most rewarding and proudest moments in my career.
The hospice offers a generous benefit package, including:
27 days annual leave entitlement
Pension scheme
Life Cover
Cycle to Work Scheme
Car Leasing Scheme
Health Service Discounts
Occupational Sick Pay
Blue Light Card
Employee Assistance Programme
Job description Job responsibilities
Job summary:
To provide holistic, person-centred care and support to young adults living with progressive illness and complex health care needs palliative care needs and their families accessing Zest care at St Elizabeth Hospice. To deliver individualised care, under the supervision of the Zest Lead Care Assistant and/or Registered Nurse on duty at the hospice. This may include supporting outings into the community. To support young adults using person-centred care to achieve their goals and plan activities. To be able to understand and recognise individual developmental needs, where appropriate encouraging and enabling independence and self-management skills.
Safeguarding responsibilities:
To demonstrate a commitment to keeping adults and young people safe
To report any disclosure made to you to the appropriate person
To report any safeguarding concerns in the workplace to the appropriate person
To maintain an awareness of the hospices policies in relation to safeguarding
Key responsibilities:
Deliver person-centred planned care to designated young people using a range of delegated care tasks which could include medicines management in line with hospice policies and procedures, suctioning, gastrostomy care and the use of technology or specific techniques for example chest physiotherapy, in accordance with individual care plans.
Observe changes in the young persons condition and promptly seek advice and report back to a registered nurse or appropriate professional
To assist in physical care involving all hygiene, elimination, eating and drinking, mobilisation, rest, sleep and comfort needs.
To assist in meeting the young adult and his/her familys spiritual and psychological needs, recognising and respecting religious and cultural beliefs.
To enable access to inclusive activities and facilitate engagement, enabling choice.
To confidently use the equipment or aids necessary for the care of the young adults, following assessment and training and to report any faults promptly to the appropriate person.
To follow community emergency care plans in the event of a sudden change or deterioration.
Ensure care plans are kept up to date, delivery of care is accurately recorded and records are maintained in accordance with Hospice policies and procedures
Work effectively with other members of the multiprofessional team so that care is coordinated.
To promote and role model person centred care, including ensuring all young adults have a one-page profile.
To participate as a team member in other activities which complete the care cycle, i.e laundry, meals, collecting equipment, ad hoc light domestic duties and outings
Ensure adherence with relevant Infection Prevention and Control Policies and procedures, raising any risks to the IPC group/service lead
Report any incidents in accordance with the incident management policy
Have an understanding of safeguarding principles and be able to apply these within everyday practice and intervention/within your role.
Responsibilities for all staff:
Act as a positive ambassador for St Elizabeth Hospice
Where the postholder is a member of a professional body, comply to the professional standards set by that body. Ensure registration is current and practice continuous professional development.
Because of the special nature of the hospice and its work, the postholder may on occasion be asked to undertake other duties to help maintain our high standards of care and engagement.
Person Specification
Specific Skills Essential
Effective communicator ability to establish and maintain communication with patients, their families and colleagues. IT literate ability to use Microsoft packages and Outlook or willingness to undertake training.
Desirable
Ability to plan and deliver inclusive activities. Full driving license.
Qualifications Essential
Good standard of education in numeracy and literacy. NVQ level II or III in direct care, Care Certificate or willing to be complete.
Desirable
Moving and handling training. Evidence of Care competency training with transferable skills.
Experience Essential
Have an understanding of safeguarding principles and be able to apply these within everyday practice and intervention/within your role.
Desirable
Minimum of one year of experience working as a carer/care assistant. Community/palliative care/learning disabilities/inpatient setting experience. Experience of working with young adults. Ability to plan, deliver and evaluation appropriate care package. Ability to assess patient needs. Demonstrable experience of team working. Ability to manage volunteers. Experience of working using a person-centred approach. Experience of using a co-production approach.
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 details Employer name St Elizabeth Hospice
Address 565 Foxhall Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP3 8LX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)