Band 6 Senior Mental Health Practitioner

Transformation Unit; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 6 Senior Mental Health Practitioner in the Early Intervention in Psychosis Service based in Birmingham. This permanent full-time role (37.5 hours per week) offers a salary of £39,959–£48,117 per year and a supportive multidisciplinary environment.

Applicants will work with young people and adults with first episode psychosis, providing assessment, care planning and integrated interventions, with supervision, training

Qualifications

• Post 12 month Registration with appropriate professional body.
• Extensive post-registration experience in mental health care setting.
• Ability to assess risk and devise care plans using SMART goals.

Responsibilities

• Ensure each referred patient and family receives an individual assessment, risk assessment and care plan with regular evaluation.
• Provide specialist interventions within a therapeutic framework for individuals, families and groups.
• Act as the key worker for an identified caseload.
• Prepare assessments, treatment reports and discharge summaries per local policy.
• Maintain accurate case records and share information in line with policy.
• Lead or contribute to clinical audits and ongoing professional development.

Education

RMN/ RNLD/OT/Social work qualifications

Job description

Main area Early Intervention Psychosis Service Grade Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours 37.5 hours per week (Full time - 37.5 hours per week) Job ref 436-8309939

Employer Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Finch Road Medical Practice, 1st Floor Town Birmingham Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 12/11/2026 23:59

Band 6 Senior Mental Health Practitioner

Band 6

Please note that this post may close earlier than the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Job overview

Early Intervention in Psychosis Service’s overall aim is to support and minimise the debilitating effects of having a psychotic illness. We work with service users aged 16-35 experiencing first episode psychosis (FEP) for up to three years. We work on an assertive outreach model so have a flexible, creative and proactive approach to engaging service users and promoting their recovery.

The core features of the EIP model are based on the NICE guidance for young people and adults for psychosis and schizophrenia (2014) and the new national standards for EIP (2016).

EIP has a strong culture of multidisciplinary team working within a supportive working environment. You will have ongoing regularly supervision, in house development and training as well as annual appraisal, further development of skills and further progression opportunities. The role of care coordinator includes the delivery of EI specific interventions such as behaviour family therapy (full training will be provided) and carers support.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be working in Early Intervention in Psychosis Team. They will be required to liaise with other local agencies including inpatient and specialist services, social care as well as Core community and Urgent care teams.

Early Intervention in Psychosis Service’s overall aim is to support and minimise the debilitating effects of having a psychotic illness. We work with service users aged 16-35 experiencing first episode psychosis (FEP) for up to three years. We work on an assertive outreach model so have a flexible, creative and proactive approach to engaging service users and promoting their recovery.

The core features of the EIP model are based on the NICE guidance for young people and adults for psychosis and schizophrenia (2014) and the new national standards for EIP (2016).

Working for our organisation

Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.

Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people’s lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will be a member of the Multi-disciplinary Team and will carry continuing responsibility for the assessment, treatment and management of a defined caseload. Where appropriate, they will be required to liaise with other local agencies. Referrals are accepted from a wide range of professionals and agencies.

CLINICAL:

• Ensure that each referred patient and where necessary their family receives an individual specialist assessment, risk assessment and care plan and is the subject of regular evaluation which, wherever practicable is formulated in conjunction with the patient and/or their family.
• Provide specialist interventions for referred people within a therapeutic framework, both individually, with families and in groups. Also providing advice and support for other professionals as required.
• Act as the key worker for an identified caseload.
• Prepare assessments, treatment reports and discharge summaries, in accordance with local policies.
• Working in setting including hospital, primary care facilities, residential homes, schools and units/ colleges and people homes.
• Provide a range of services and approaches as part of the Senior Mental Health Practitioner role ie consultation, specialist advice, clinical supervision and support to those working with their case load i.e. those in primary care, support staff, residential staff, social workers, youth service, etc.
• Promote knowledge of mental health and the prevention of mental ill health with those service users and members of the general public, both formally and informally.
• Foster close working relationships with all appropriate agencies and networks in the field of Mental Health, locally, regionally and nationally.
• Participate in regular clinical and safeguarding supervision sessions with an appropriate supervisor and give clinical supervision.
• Develop and/or take a lead in a specialist area, as agreed within the local team.
• Participate with the Referral Management Centre to assess referrals as they come into the service and liaise with referring agents.

OTHER

• Ensure that all case records are maintained accurately, legibly and contemporaneously and that all information acquired in the course of carrying out their duties is treated in the strictest confidence but is shared with all professional colleagues in line with information sharing policy/protocol
• Maintain and record accurate data and statistics and provide these as required to any appropriate officer of the Trust.
• Where appropriate, lead, participate or co-ordinate clinical audits with the department and assist with the evaluation of departmental activity.
• Maintain an up to date knowledge of all departmental, Service and Trust policies and procedures, applying them as required

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

• Encourage and maintain effective communication and working relationships across the EIP teams, other mental health teams/services and with external agencies.
• To work within a framework commensurate with their level of knowledge and competence and to act accordingly within their sphere of responsibility.
• To manage own activity and workload delegated, ensuring work carried out is handed over to the team.
• Responsible for seeking assistance as and when required.

SAFEGUARDING

As a Trust employee you are required to comply with all legislation and guidance relating to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and promoting their health and welfare. You are required to inform the Head of Safeguarding of any safeguarding concerns about your own children or children you live with. This information will be treated in a confidential manner.

Person specification

Professional qualification – RMN/ RNLD/OT/Social work qualifications

• Post 12 month Registration,
• Extensive post registration experience in mental health care setting Extensive post registration experience in mental health care Assessing and managing risk Devising robust and effective care plans using SMART goals De-escalation techniques Providing care in community settings Working in a multi-disciplinary Team Appropriate and adaptable verbal and written communication Able to undertake risk assessments within the service Able to demonstrate leadership skills Working knowledge of Health Service Fundamental knowledge of medications used in mental health Knowledge of the Mental Health Act Good knowledge of recognised disorders and illnesses in the field of mental health Understanding of a range of communication styles when working with children, young people, young adults and families in distress Working knowledge of mental health A good knowledge of own professional guidelines A positive attitude and able to act on feedback Ability to work autonomously Ability to manage own time effectively
• Delivering teaching / training Providing consultation Developing a specialist area on behalf of the Service/ or local Team Working in a multi-disciplinary Team Hold an interest in a specialist area

Our Trust is committed to treating individuals fairly and ensuring they have the same opportunities to fulfil their potential, even if this means doing things differently for different people sometimes. We are working hard to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity within Birmingham and Solihull and that our services meet the needs of all diverse service users and carers.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of our safe recruitment practice pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. As part of the selection process you may be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, however all cases of criminal record history are dealt with on a case by case basis.

Please note, if applicable for your role you will be required to cover the cost of your DBS certificate. This will be deducted from your salary over 3 months.

All successful applicants will be required to complete the Trust’s induction programme. The Fundamental (Statutory and Mandatory) training will be in an e-learning format. You will be required to complete training modules online (approx. 9-14 hours depending on post) by the end of your second week with us.

If you are successful at the shortlisting stage of the recruitment process we may contact you via email to advise you of the interview details. Please ensure you access your email account from which you applied regular... ... once the position has closed. Our selection process may involve more... or assessment.

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the United Kingdom (UK) are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applicants. However, please ensure that you check if this role meets the eligibility criteria for sponsorship. Non UK /Republic of Ireland candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood ... Browse: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) . The minimum salary threshold for a Health and Social Care is £25,000 and for the Skilled Worker route is £38,700. If the starting salary for this role is below this, we will not be able to provide sponsorship.

Relocation expenses may be reimbursed subject to eligibility. The policy provides for reimbursement up to £8,000.

Please note - if you are applying for a role within Police custody, due to Police Vetting requirements you must have been a UK resident for the last years.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.