Assistant Practitioner (Community)

NSFT; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Full time

Job summary

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust in Ipswich is recruiting a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner for the Suffolk Forensic Community Mental Health Team on a permanent basis, 37.5 hours per week. The post requires working 0800-2000 hours with some weekend duties at Cedar House, St Clements Hospital.

The role focuses on recovery-focused community care, with service users, families and carers, and involvement in MDT meetings. Travel across Suffolk to visit service users is expected.

Qualifications

• Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care/mental health or Level 5 apprenticeship.
• Experience with service users with mental health needs.
• Experience with CPA process.
• Clear and effective communication with diverse groups.

Responsibilities

• Provide recovery-focused community care with service users, families and carers.
• Direct clinical work and case management across the caseload.
• Participate in MDT meetings and coordinate with wards and multi-agency partners.
• Travel independently across Suffolk and wider region to visit service users.

Skills

Communication

Education

Foundation Degree in Health & Social Care

Job description

Main area Secure Service Norfolk Community Team Grade Band 4 Contract Permanent: The post will require working a range of hours between 0800-2000 and including some weekends. Hours

• Full time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week Job ref 246-GYW8342085

Site Cedar House, St Clements Hospital Town Ipswich Salary £28,392 - £31,157 gross per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 19/10/2026 23:59

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust provides child and adult mental health services, learning disability, wellbeing, older people's and eating disorder services across Norfolk and Suffolk.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and want to reflect the diversity of our local communities within our teams. We welcome applications from all talented individuals with the relevant qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience.

Please note due to the nature of our roles and patient demographic, you will be required to undertake physical intervention training and remain trained, as required by your role.

Job overview

Thinking of a change? A challenge? And coming home feeling really satisfied that you have made a difference to someone. Then please consider this role.

Our Suffolk Forensic Community Mental Health Team is expanding. We are excited to be recruiting a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner to join the team on a permanent basis. 37.5 hour a week.

We are seeking applicants with experience in mental health and preferably Community experience also.

We are a friendly and committed team that delivers a high standard of care to service users across our Suffolk Community and also working with the service user prior to their discharge. We have a wealth of experienced colleagues who are focused on recovery and making a difference thereby having a positive impact on the quality of life for our service users. We also thrive and encourage new ideas, motivation and future thinking.

Do you believe in and co-production and embrace its principles?

Main duties of the job

Working with the Suffolk Secure Services Forensic Community Mental Health Team providing recovery-focused community care. Direct clinical work with service users, families, and carers. Also linking in with wards across the locality and Multi agency working.

The role involve delivering patient centred care , both collaboratively and holistically. You will have opportunity to be case manager for specific service users and work to support them through their recovery pathway. Working within the confines of a robust co-produced care plan that meets the individual service users’ needs whilst managing any risk factors for the individual or others.

New ideas and enthusiasm are embedded in this role and working with other Band 4 staff to support and go forward in developing the service. Seeking out different ways of working with others and possible restrictions impacting on their future recovery pathway.

Lone working and assisting in group work will be incorporated within the role. Travelling across Suffolk and the wider region to visit Service users assigned to your caseload. Case management of specific Service Users will also be part of your duties, this includes leading on and working alongside the Service Users and leading the aftercare agreed.

Members of the team manage their own appointments/ diary prioritising safety and clinical work. Attending several MDT meetings and supporting the Band 6 FCPN and management.

Working for our organisation

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Why Norfolk and Suffolk? The people here are warm and welcoming, you’ll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We’re an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be expected to complete collaborative assessments (my recovery plan (care plans), Dialog+ and supporting HCR-20 assessments) and to review 117/CPA with Service users and their friends, family and carers.

Participating in covering the Duty calls at least once a week.

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Person specification

Qualifications

• Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care/mental health or apprenticeship in H&SC/mental health L5

Experience

• Working with Service Users with mental health needs
• Working knowledge and understanding of CPA process.

Skills

• Ability to communicate widely in a clear manner

other

• Able to travel independently (across Suffolk and wider region)

Knowledge

• Awareness and understanding of risk management
• Awareness of national and local policies and procedures

YOUR APPLICATION

We can provide all our job application materials in alternative formats so that these are accessible to everyone. Should you require any documents within this job pack in an alternative format, please do not hesitate to contact us at [e-mail].

PLEASE NOTE: If you use a hotmail, msn or yahoo e-mail account, you will need to check your "junk" mail regularly as these email providers will divert any communication from this Trust/NHS JOBS straight into your " junk" inbox.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES Apart from its legal duties in relation to equality and diversity, the Trust recognises and actively promotes the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief.

As a part of the Disability Confident Employer Guaranteed Interview Scheme we interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job vacancy (outlined in the Person Specification).. We encourage you to indicate your eligibility through TRAC jobs when applying.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post may be subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.