Adult Facing Mental Health Practitioner (16179)

Southampton City Council; Southampton; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Southampton seeks an Adult-Facing Mental Health Practitioner to support parents with mental health needs. Responsibilities include delivering evidence-based support, collaborating with multi-agency partners, and maintaining accurate records. Qualified candidates should have relevant qualifications and experience in mental health support. The position offers a salary band of £41,771 – £46,141, with various benefits including a local government pension, flexible working options, and health support.

Benefits

Excellent local government pension with 16.8% employer contribution

Death in service benefit of 3× salary

Generous holiday 25‑31 days

Flexible working options

Family-friendly policies

Training and development

Health and wellbeing support

Veteran-friendly employer

Retail discounts

Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres

Sustainable travel benefits

Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer

Qualifications

• Experience supporting adults with mental health needs in family or community settings.
• Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks, early help, and multi‑agency working.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with parents and understand how mental health needs impact family life.
• Deliver tailored, evidence‑based support through one‑to‑one and group sessions.
• Support assessments and contribute to plans that help children safely remain with their families.
• Collaborate with multi‑agency partners to deliver high‑quality support.
• Maintain accurate records, participate in meetings, and uphold safeguarding responsibilities.
• Commitment to trauma‑informed, strengths‑based practice, and promoting family autonomy.

Skills

Strong communication

Collaboration

Digital record‑keeping

Education

Professional qualification in social work, mental health nursing, psychology

Relevant registration to practice if applicable

Job description

As an Adult-Facing Mental Health Practitioner, you will work with parents who have mental health needs to provide practical support, early interventions, and guidance that strengthens family functioning. In this role, you will make a real difference for families in Southampton by helping children grow up safely and nurturing stronger family networks. You will also be part of a service that leads the way in innovative social care reform, using multi‑agency workspaces and creative approaches to improve outcomes for children and families.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with parents and understand how mental health needs impact family life.
• Deliver tailored, evidence‑based support through one‑to‑one and group sessions.
• Support assessments and contribute to plans that help children safely remain with their families.
• Collaborate with multi‑agency partners to deliver high‑quality support.
• Maintain accurate records, participate in meetings, and uphold safeguarding responsibilities.
• Commitment to trauma‑informed, strengths‑based practice, and promoting family autonomy.

Qualifications

• A professional qualification in social work, mental health nursing, psychology, or equivalent.
• Relevant registration to practice if applicable.
• Experience supporting adults with mental health needs in family or community settings.
• Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks, early help, and multi‑agency working.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and digital record‑keeping skills.

We saw that social care reform was coming, and we acted. We transformed our service, restructured our teams, changed how we work with each other and our partners, and we improved.

We believe one simple thing: that everyday counts and everyone matters. Over the last couple of years, we've been on a journey that has seen Ofsted has our Children’s Services as ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding Leadership’, and more recently has inspected our SEND provision (Area full SEND inspection) and how we work with partner agencies (Joint Target Area Inspection). In every inspection Ofsted has recognised our commitment and dedication to delivering the best outcomes for children, young people and families. But we're ambitious for our children and young people, so our journey continues.

Salary and benefits

Salary band: £41,771 – £46,141. The starting salary is £41,771 with annual progression through the salary bands. Here at SCC we offer a range of perks and benefits, including:

• Excellent local government pension with 16.8% employer contribution.
• Death in service benefit of 3× salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC.
• Generous holiday 25‑31 days, based on role and service.
• Flexible working options (role‑dependent).
• Family‑friendly policies – maternity, paternity, adoption, shared/unpaid parental leave, time off for dependents.
• Training and development, including coaching and mentoring.
• Health and wellbeing support – employee assistance programme, menopause pledge, mental health first aiders, and access to a variety of staff networks.
• Veteran‑friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant.
• Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform.
• Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres.
• Sustainable travel benefits – low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans.
• Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer.

For further information on our benefits package please visit Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk).