Education Library Assistant
At a glance
- Band
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Part-time
- Posted
- 10/09/2026
- Closes
- 24/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
This is a part-time Band 3 Education Library Assistant role at Wathwood Hospital, a medium secure unit in Rotherham. The successful candidate will support the education service by assisting in the provision of education, library, and information services to patients. This involves facilitating education sessions for individuals and small groups, both on-ward and off-ward, under the supervision of a qualified teacher. The role also includes working in the patient library to provide information services and support patient rehabilitation and mental health recovery.
Key responsibilities
- Assist in the provision of a comprehensive education, library and information service to both patients and staff.
- Facilitate non-specialist patient education sessions to individuals or small groups as directed by the education team leader.
- Work with the Education team to deliver interventions, assisting patients in the development of skills like maths, English, and IT.
- Help establish patients' current skill levels in subjects through completing assessments and supporting the planning of sessions.
- Manage the circulation in the patient's library, including issuing and returning resources, and inducting new users.
- Maintain records of patients' participation in Education sessions, documenting progress and learner presentation.
Essential criteria
- All colleagues are expected to demonstrate that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust Honesty Respect Compassion Teamwork
- All colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust's expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation
- Ability to undertake relevant mandatory training and engage in the management of violence and aggression, commensurate to the role
- Occasional requirement to exert intense physical effort throughout the period of work to respond to incidents
- GCSE 5-9 (A*-C) or equivalent in Maths and English
- NVQ level 3 teaching qualification or equivalent experience
- Experience of supporting individuals and/or groups of learners within and educational setting
- Experience and understanding of working in a team setting, liaising with colleagues, other agencies and services
- Ability to organise and facilitate groups and individual sessions
- Experience of delivering planned sessions
- Understanding of the role of education within mental health recovery
- Understanding of library services
- Awareness of health and safety and clinical risk issues
- Demonstrates an understanding of cultural and diversity needs of individuals
- Knowledge of effective learning strategies for those with specific learning needs
- Knowledge of Functional Skills, Maths, English and Digital Skills
- Competent in the use of IT, record keeping and administrative tasks related to patient education/library services
- Ability to work independently and prioritise own workload
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to demonstrate a non-judgemental and positive attitude to working with people with offending histories who have experience of mental health problems
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries
- Ability to engage with and motivate others
- Ability to actively participate in development of the service
- Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service
- Ability to work evenings and weekends
Desirable criteria
- Other qualifications relevant to the post
- Higher Level Teaching Assistant qualification
- Training specific to mental health care
- Experience of working within Occupational Therapy and/or Education and Library teams
- Experience of working within mental health or the forensic setting
- Knowledge of phonics
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 3 at £24,625 – £25,674 a year, across England.
This advert: £25,760 – £27,476 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 14d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Education Library Assistant
The closing date is 24 September 2026
Job summary
We have a very exciting opportunity available for a part time band 3 education assistant at Wathwood Hospital, medium secure unit in Rotherham. We are looking for a dynamic individual to join the team to support the education service.
The education team offers therapeutic education and planned education sessions that work towards formal qualification. The role of the education assistant at Wathwood Hospital is to assist in the provision of an effective education, library and information service to patients. You will work under the supervision of a qualified teacher to facilitate education sessions to individuals and small groups. Sessions are held both on-ward and in designated off-ward areas. The role also includes working in the patient library to provide information services.
Wathwood Hospital is a purpose-built, 78 bed adult, male, medium secure hospital in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Located in its own grounds and surrounded by open countryside and woods, it supports those aged between 18 and 65 who require assessment and treatment of mental health difficulties in a secure environment.
The Occupational Therapy and Education service is well established and provides a comprehensive range of interventions to promote rehabilitation and m
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