Ways to work with us

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:

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.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) : Latest Volunteer Information

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us during these unprecedented times.

Due to the current situation with COVID-19, we have reviewed our volunteer recruitment process to ensure it is faster, but still safe. 

We will be making more use of technology for applications, interviews and training during this period, minimising the need for face to face contact.

Some of our current volunteer roles will need to change to respond to the needs of our operational teams and to ensure help is targeted where needed most for our patients.

If you are interested in applying, please complete our online form. We aim to contact you within 3 working days to guide you through the next steps.

Due to the evolving and fast changing situation and huge interest in volunteering with the NHS, we will be prioritising applications in the areas where we most need support.

All other enquires will be put on hold until we can discuss further with you your application.

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. 

Making new connections in the community can be really rewarding. If we give a bit of time and share a bit of who we are, we help others but we also help ourselves.

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

Community Connect is a great way for you to:

• Boost your confidence and meet new people 
• Feel good about doing good – did you know that helping others is proven to lift your mood? Read about it here. It can also help improve your health, from sleeping better to getting out and about more.
• Learn new stuff – it could be useful for you at home, or even help in getting or changing a career. Reed recruitment share the value of volunteering here.

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

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:

Volunteer Newsletters

• December 2019
• August 2019

 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.

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 2 - 4  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 people aged 14 and 15 years old in administrative roles and 16+ to a wider range.

A Work Experience placement may comprise of work shadowing, work observation, work-based projects as well as supported internships.

If you are interested in Work Experience, please contact ellysia.diprose@nhs.net

View our Apprenticeship case studies

View our Volunteering case studies