Ways to work with us

As well as offering more permanent career opportunities, we as a Trust are proud to provide a range of different alternative work opportunities, for those looking to gain experience and develop skills and for those looking to choose when and where they would like to work.

We have a dedicated volunteer service that provides support across the organisation with just under 550+ volunteers. Our Volunteering Programme has been awarded the Investing in Volunteers UK Quality Standard and as well as this we also offer work experience opportunities, apprenticeships and temporary Work. These can help inform your long-term NHS career by helping to choose the right role for you, and build relationships with us for steady work to help you move into a permanent role.

Qualified and experienced nurses, healthcare assistants and housekeeping staff are just some examples of available temporary positions, to help meet areas of need and to suit your lifestyle.

Some of the roles include:

Healthcare assistants
Registered nurses
Housekeepers
Administrators
Occupational therapists
Physiotherapists

If you're interested in joining us, please contact our friendly Staff Direct team on 01273 242227 or email: sc-tr.bank@nhs.net

There are lots of reasons to join the Staff Direct ‘bank’.

These include:

Being paid a 12.5% supplement (at least) on your usual rate
Weekly pay
Get access to a number of staff and benefits, including the NHS pensions scheme (Find out more about NHS Pensions); The NHS Pension Scheme is still one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK. Every member of Staff Direct will automatically receive this excellent package of pension benefits.
Get access to training and development opportunities
Gain experience of working in innovative services providing solutions to our communities biggest health and care challenges
Be treated as an internal applicant if you want to apply for permanent jobs with us
Access to our occupational health services

Pay

Staff Direct members are paid based on Agenda for Change pay rates. Pay is made up of a number of elements including:

Holiday pay at a rate of 12.5%, instead of accruing annual leave (WTD)
Unsocial hours payments (when applicable) at the following rates:

Band	Saturday and weekday nights (8pm - 6am)	Sunday and Public Holidays
1	Time plus 50%	Double Time
2	Time plus 44%	Time plus 88%
3	Time plus 37%	Time plus 74%
4-9	Time plus 30%	Time plus 60%

Please join our Facebook page to see what opportunities we have across the Trust.

We have a dedicated volunteer service that provides support across the organisation with just under 550+ volunteers. Find out about our volunteering opportunities.

COVID-19 Vaccination Programme

APPLICATIONS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

We are looking for volunteers to apply as stewards and coordinators to help us deliver the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.

For more information on the volunteer roles, where you can volunteer or how you can apply, please visit our COVID-19 Vaccination Programme page.

*If you have experience/qualifications in vaccinating – you will find all the information on how to utilise your skills here.

Please note – all other volunteer recruitment is currently closed as we focus on delivering the Vaccination Programme. We will update this web page when recruitment reopens.

Latest volunteer information

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us. Please read the following information before completing our online application form.

Due to COVID-19, we have fast tracked our recruitment process and moved to online interviewing and training. We are risk assessing all of our volunteer roles, and will talk you through the risks associated with your chosen role, and risk mitigations we have in place before you start volunteering with us.

We hope to welcome you to the team soon.

SCFT Voluntary Services

You can also sign up to be an NHS Volunteer Responder through the RVS GoodSam App here. They are particularly looking for more volunteers in the Brighton and Hove area at this current time.

Volunteers play a huge part in supporting the delivery of care to the many people who use our services. We have a diverse number of volunteer roles which match the diversity of communities that we serve. Staff, patients, carers and volunteers themselves gain a lot of value from being an integral part of our teams.

You can play a very important part by helping us enhance the quality of care to our patients and supporting our staff.

Click here to read our Volunteer Focus - A day in the life of our volunteers.

We have a dedicated Voluntary and Community Development service that provides support across the organisation with just under 500 volunteers.

Based in three localities; East, West and Central. Voluntary and Community Development Managers are responsible for the recruitment and training of volunteers prior to placement in the organisation.

Applications are currently closed.

"Volunteers and charities play a huge part in supporting the delivery of care to the many people who use our services. We have a diverse number of volunteer roles which match the diversity of communities that we serve. Staff, patients, carers and volunteers themselves gain a lot of value from being an integral part of our teams.

The difference they make to enhance our patients experience is invaluable and as an organisation we truly respect their support and the contribution they make."

If you would like to know how we manage personal data you can find out more here.

Most volunteering takes place Monday to Friday during working hours, although some befriending opportunities and helping on the wards are available at weekends and in the early evenings. We do ask for a commitment of six months although there may be other opportunities to volunteer for a shorter period subject to availability.

We have a number of services within SCFT and charitable organisation who recruit volunteers directly. For more information please see our list of services and charitable opportunities.

Our service is signed up to The Disability Action Alliance Volunteer Charter.

Helping younger people get involved in volunteering

SCFT has signed up to the national volunteering campaign called 'I will' - which aims to promote social action among 10 - 20 year olds.

You can find out more about the campaign here.

It means the SCFT Voluntary and Community Development Team pledge to:

Increase our involvement and engagement with our schools, colleges and universities within our communities
Offer more innovative, meaningful and flexible volunteer roles to young people
Deliver effective recruitment, training, support and development to our young volunteers that will benefit themselves and play an active part in developing stronger communities
Continue to work with our Clinicians and staff to match skills and interest with opportunities within services.
We will train 40 young volunteers on our Connect with Dementia Programme.

Volunteer Newsletters

The team is on Twitter - Please follow us:

Are you interested in becoming an Apprentice at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust?

Apprenticeships have changed nationally and are now much more widely available to anyone over the age of 16 who meets the criteria.

An apprenticeship is a genuine job where you earn a wage, with an accompanying skills development programme. Apprentices gain the technical knowledge, practical experience and wider skills they need for their immediate job and future career and gain a nationally recognised qualification. Your course fees will be paid with no cost to you.

See what our amazing apprentices say...

Do you meet the criteria?

Age 16+ - there is no upper age limit
Not in full-time education
You must be an EU citizen, living in England
Graduates can also now apply as long as it is in a different subject area to their degree and relevant to their current job

What courses are available?

Apprenticeships are available at all different levels from Level 2 to Level 7 (Masters Level) and are a real alternative to university without incurring a hefty student loan. Apprenticeships are available in a broad range of subjects (both clinical and non-clinical) leading to many different occupations within the health sector.

Senior healthcare support worker, Level: 3 (Standard)
Business and Administration, Level: 3
Institute of Leadership and Management, Level: 3
Children and Young People's Workforce, Level: 2
Healthcare assistant practitioner, Level: 5 (Standard)
Business and Administration, Level: 2
Healthcare support worker, Level: 2 (Standard)
Improving Operational Performance: Performing Engineering Operations, Level: 2
HR Consultant / Partner, Level: 5 (Standard)
HR Support, Level: 3 (Standard)
Higher National Diploma Mechanical Engineering, Level: 4
BTEC Mechanical Engineering, Level: 3
Institute of leadership and Management level 3 and 5
IT apprenticeships various levels
Procurement level 4
Finance various levels

Many more are being developed all the time...

How long does a course take?

Apprenticeships take a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 5 years (depending on level) where you will spend time learning in the workplace alongside formal off the job learning. You will be able to benefit from being in a real work situation where you can practice and develop new skills.

What are the benefits?

Earn a wage and get holiday pay
Work alongside experienced staff
Gain job specific skills
Pension Scheme
NUS card
Join a Trade Union (UNISON)
Family and Childcare Support

Want to get in touch?

Please complete our online form if you have a query or would like to find out more.

COVID-19

Due to COVID-19, social distancing guidance and added pressure to our services, we are unfortunately currently unable to accommodate Work Experience requests until further notice. We look forward to being able to accommodate Work Experience placements again soon.

This page will be the first place updated as soon as we are able to begin offering placements again.

What is Work Experience?

Work Experience is a short period spent in the workplace to learn what it is like to carry out that kind of profession, giving an opportunity to gain real life experience in a work setting.

At Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust we offer 1-2 weeks of Work Experience to school, college and university students, as well as staff looking to go into other areas and individuals who are looking for a career change.

Work Experience can be offered to individuals aged 14-15 in administrative based roles, and 16+ in a wider range of roles. There is no upper age limit.

Due to high demand for Work Experience we are not always able to accommodate specific requests, although we will work with you to search for an alternative.

A Work Experience placement may comprise of work shadowing/observation and work-based projects.

Please note:

All placements are unpaid, and the Trust will not meet any costs of travel, subsistence or accommodation.
Work Experience applications must come from the applicant themselves or their school/college Work Experience Coordinator. We will no longer be processing work experience applications from parents/guardians unless special circumstances apply.

How do I apply?

If you are interested in Work Experience, please contact sc-tr.workexperience@nhs.net with the following information: