Therapeutic Security Support Assistant - Band 3 | South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust


Company:	South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Salary:	£30,630 - £32,346 per annum inclusive of HCAS
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Beckenham, BR3 3BX
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	5 Oct 2026
Closing date:	4 Nov 2026

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Summary

The post holder will work closely with the Therapeutic Security Deputy Lead to ensure the effective management of the River House Reception, providing an efficient, professional, and secure front-of-house service on a 24-hour basis. They will offer advice, guidance, and support to managers, clinicians, and other staff members as required.

The post holder will deliver a sensitive, professional, and non-judgemental reception service, responding promptly and courteously to enquiries from service users, visitors, carers, and staff. They will be responsible for creating a welcoming and supportive environment while ensuring all interactions are managed in accordance with security and operational procedures.

The post holder will;

Maintaining the safety and security of the unit through regular perimeter checks and monitoring of physical security systems.

Managing and auditing security keys and Ascom handsets, reporting any discrepancies and supporting staff in the use of the key management system in accordance with the River House Key Management Protocol.

Carrying out physical searches of visitors, carers, patients, contractors and their belongings in line with security procedures.

Providing information and assistance to patients, carers, visitors, contractors and multidisciplinary staff.

Supporting emergency responses and assisting with the coordination of actions during fire alarms and other emergency situations.

Arranging and monitoring Buddi tracking requests for patient leave and communicating relevant information to clinical teams.

Undertaking patient escort duties, including supporting patients returning from Section 17 leave, and providing driving duties for patients and, where appropriate, staff members.

Working collaboratively across medium and low secure services while maintaining awareness of potential risks, including physical and verbal aggression.

Benefits:

We are committed to ensuring our staff get the most out of their benefits package and understand the importance of a healthy work life balance. There is an extensive range of excellent benefits for you and your family. We want you to feel like you are part of a close knit team at SLaM. It’s important to us that you are valued and appreciated and that is why we have a comprehensive benefits package on offer

Some of our benefits are highlighted here:

· Generous pay, pensions and leave, we offer a comprehensive pay, pensions and leave package which is dependent on the role and length of service.

· Work life balance, flexible working and support a range of flexible options, such as: part-time working and job sharing.

· Career development, There are plenty of opportunities to progress your career and we support your development through a number of programmes such as mentoring, coaching, positive people management, collective leadership and other talent programmes

· Car lease, our staff benefits from competitive deals to lease cars

· NHS discounts, with discounts up to 10% from a variety of well-known retail brands though Health Service Discounts website.Other benefits include:

· Counselling services

· Wellbeing events

· Long service awards

· Cycle to work scheme

· Season ticket loan

· Childcare vouchers

· Staff restaurants

The post holder will contribute to the delivery of a safe, secure and therapeutic environment within the forensic medium and low secure services. They will demonstrate a sound understanding of procedural, physical and relational security in line with the Department of Health's See, Think, Actframework and ensure all duties are carried out in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.

Key responsibilities include:

• Maintaining the security and integrity of the unit through daily perimeter inspections, environmental checks and security audits.

• Conducting proactive and reactive searches of patients, visitors, contractors and property in accordance with local security procedures, while respecting individual rights, dignity and cultural needs.

• Operating and supporting the use of security systems and equipment, including radios, Ascom alarms, search equipment, Buddi tracking and the Traka key management system.

• Undertaking weekly testing of wall panic alarms and monitoring the functionality of security systems throughout the service.

• Assisting in the implementation and maintenance of business continuity arrangements and supporting the response to fire alarms, emergencies and major incidents.

• Recording and reporting accidents, incidents and security concerns using the Trust's Datix reporting system.

• Supporting the induction and training of new staff in relation to security procedures and protocols.

• Providing patient escort and transport services, including accompanying patients to external appointments, courts, hospitals and home visits as required.

• Attending patient activities and events to support engagement whilst maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

• Providing support to clinical teams during incidents of violence and aggression, including participating in site-wide responses where required.

• Carrying out administrative duties, audits and record-keeping activities to support service delivery.

• Maintaining patient confidentiality at all times and using Trust communication systems, including email, in accordance with Trust policies.

The successful candidate will be able to work effectively under pressure, communicate confidently with a wide range of people, recognise and appropriately challenge unacceptable behaviour, and consistently promote the safety, dignity and wellbeing of patients, staff and visitors.

This advert closes on Monday 19 Oct 2026

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