Band 7 Mental Health Practitioner

NHS; Thatcham; Hybrid; Full time

Job summary

An NHS Trust is looking for a Mental Health Practitioner to join their team at Hillcroft House in Thatcham. This role focuses on delivering integrated mental health services and supporting patients within primary care networks. Candidates must have a relevant registration and at least 5 years’ experience in mental health. The position offers a flexible working pattern and participation in important developmental work within the community.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Access to learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years post-registration experience in mental health.
• Registered with a relevant professional body.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead innovative mental health service teams.
• Contribute to integrated primary care mental health service models.
• Work with adults with severe mental health issues.

Skills

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Community mental health service experience

Evidence-based interventions

Education

Registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist or equivalent

Job description

Job summary

Job Title: Mental Health Practitioner

Trust: Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Locations: Hillcroft House, Thatcham RG18 3HR (Community post inc hybrid working)

Ward:MHICS

Banding: Band 7

Pay Rates: £27.01 per hour excluding holiday pay

Shift Patterns: 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday flexible working hours between 9am-5pm or 10am-6pm or 8am-4pm

Why might this job interest you?

The role of Specialist Mental Health Practitioner for MHICS (Mental Health Integrated Community Service) is fundamental to the development and leadership of innovative new teams and integrated mental health services based within networks of GP Practices (PCNs). The role promotes and provides early assessment, treatment and improved access to evidence-based interventions for people with SMI. This role will help people to focus on achievable goals and access local community resources.

Main duties of the job

Contribute to delivering and co-developing the primary care mental health service model. This includes care pathways for the provision of integrated physical and mental health care in a designated Primary Care Network within East Berkshire.

Work closely with colleagues in specialist community mental health services to ensure smooth transitions between teams and services and facilitate an easy in, easy out approach to improve access to evidence-based interventions.

Complete joint assessments with CMHT, to identify and support patients ready to transition to primary care and develop care plans and prepare people for step down.

To lead collaborative working between the full range of physical health and mental health services, to ensure that people who need care are able to access it quickly and easily and are prevented from being excluded from services or falling through gaps.

Work with adults (18+) with severe / significant mental illness, whose mental health needs can be best met within primary care and whose difficulties are best understood within a biopsychosocial model.

About us

Here at NHS Professionals, we run England's largest NHS staff bank and are experts at putting people in places to care. Every year we help thousands of dedicated and highly skilled NHS workers enjoy better career opportunities, more flexible shifts, and a healthier work-life balance across our partnered Trusts.

Career Progression access to Learning & Development opportunities, so that you can take on new roles and challenges

Work-life Balance flexible shifts, committed shifts, wellbeing resources and build paid annual leave

Opportunity & Access over 50 partner NHS Trusts to give you the flexibility of choice to work how and where you want

Details Date posted

17 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£22.99 to £27.01 an hour

Contract

Bank

Duration

3 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

M0042-82358

Job locations

Hillcroft House

Rookes Way

Thatcham

Berkshire

RG18 3HR

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description for a more detailed breakdown of the duties and responsibilities of this role.

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description for a more detailed breakdown of the duties and responsibilities of this role.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist or equivalent.

Experience Essential

• Minimum 5 years post registration experience in working with people with mental health needs.

Desirable

• Community experience in mental health services for adults and older age adults with severe/significant mental illness.
• Evidence of Interdisciplinary/multi-agency working experience including primary care and community/voluntary sector.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist or equivalent.

Experience Essential

• Minimum 5 years post registration experience in working with people with mental health needs.

Desirable

• Community experience in mental health services for adults and older age adults with severe/significant mental illness.
• Evidence of Interdisciplinary/multi-agency working experience including primary care and community/voluntary sector.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is 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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is 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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

NHS Professionals Limited

Address

Hillcroft House

Rookes Way

Thatcham

Berkshire

RG18 3HR

Employer's website

https://www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

NHS Professionals Limited

Address

Hillcroft House

Rookes Way

Thatcham

Berkshire

RG18 3HR

Employer's website

https://www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)