CAMHS Infant Mental Health Practitioner

Louder Than Words; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Part time

Job summary

An innovative community-based organization is seeking an Infant Mental Health Practitioner to join their dedicated team. This role focuses on delivering high-quality assessments and therapeutic interventions for children aged 0-5 and their families. The successful candidate will work collaboratively within a multi-agency framework, ensuring that every child receives the appropriate support tailored to their unique needs. With a commitment to professional development and a supportive work environment, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young children and their families in Plymouth.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Professional development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Core qualification with 3+ years post-registration experience required.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and policies is essential.

Responsibilities

• Deliver consultation, assessment, and interventions for infants and young children.
• Coordinate evidence-based targeted interventions and assessments.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Knowledge of Infant Development

Knowledge of Therapeutic Principles

Knowledge of Attachment and Trauma

Education

Core Qualification in Nursing, Social Work, OT or Psychology

Post Graduate Training in Mental Health

Tools

IT Skills

Job description

Job Summary

23.25 hours per week.

The Infant Mental Health Practitioner role sits within The Infant Mental Health Pathway within The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in Plymouth working to a model of delivery that meets the needs of Infants, children, young people and families in the city.

We are looking to recruit an Infant Mental Health Practitioner band 6 WTE into our Infant Mental Health Pathway to work with children 0-5 years and their families. The direct work will cover the 0-5 years age range with consultations with families & professionals, providing targeted therapeutic interventions and assessments within the I-THRIVE framework. This will also include delivering bespoke training to external services.

The team is a community-based, innovative and needs-led response to infants, young children and families across the full care pathway.

"Please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility"

A professional registration is required for this role.

Previous applicants need not apply.

"please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility"

Please note that Livewell may close the job advert early if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity

Main duties of the job

To work as an Infant Mental health practitioner as part of CAMHS infant mental health pathway to deliver consultation, assessment & therapeutic interventions working with infants; young children from 0-5 years old & their parents/carers within I-THRIVE model. Co-ordination &implementation of evidence-based targeted assessments/interventions in a timely manner using outcome measures. Maintain standards of care to highest level within available resources. To actively participate in line management junior members of staff. To provide consultation to parents with completing request for involvement through a self-referral process & sign-posting to other services. To liaise effectively with the other CAMHS pathways across the city. To develop & maintain relationships with providers, statutory & non-statutory. To maintain confidentiality in respect of the Infant & Families at all times. Communicate clearly with children, their families & all other health professionals. Actively participate in clinical governance & quality improvement initiatives, e.g. clinical audit. Deliver training to staff both within & external to Livewell when indicated & within scope of experience. To complete Livewell child protection supervisors training in line with the safeguarding policy & to be able to provide child protection supervision. Attend & contribute to the team meetings

Please See Job Description

All LWSW staff are expected to able & willing to work across a 7 day service

Job Share(s) Considered

About Us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Date posted

30 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year pa, pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

B9832-2025-NM-9709-2

Job locations

Tamar Folk Children's Centre

Victoria Road Primary School

Plymouth

PL5 1RH

Job Description

Job responsibilities

The Infant Mental Health Practitioner role sits within The Infant Mental Health Pathway within The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in Plymouth working to a model of delivery that meets the needs of Infants, children, young people and families in the city.

We are looking to recruit an Infant Mental Health Practitioner into our Infant Mental Health Pathway to work with children 0-5 years and their families. The direct work will cover the 0-5 years age range with consultations with families & professionals and delivering training when required.

The team is a community-based, innovative and needs-led response to infants, young children and families across the full care pathway.

To work as an Infant Mental health practitioner to deliver consultation, assessment and interventions working with infants & young children from 0-5 years old and their parents/ carers.

Co-ordination and implementation of evidence-based targeted interventions incorporating outcome measures.

To co-ordinate and contribute to assessment to ensure that infants and young children access timely assessments and the appropriate targeted interventions.

Take a lead in representing CAMHS in multi-agency meetings and have oversight of mental health element of a multi-agency plan around a child.

To function as a member of the Infant Mental Health Pathway taking appropriate responsibility for the implementation of decisions made by the team.

Maintain standards of care to highest level within available resources.

To actively participate in line management with senior and junior members of staff.

To liaise effectively with the other CAMHS community teams across the city.

To develop and maintain relationships with providers, statutory and non-statutory.

To maintain confidentiality in respect of the Infant, Children and Families at all times.

Communicate clearly with children and young people, their families and all other health professional groups about their mental health problems.

Actively participate in clinical governance and quality improvement initiatives, e.g. clinical audit, essence of care or clinical policy development.

Deliver group work to patients and/or families of patients.

Deliver training to staff both within and external to Livewell when indicated and within scope of experience

• The post holder will be responsible for updating their own practice, knowledge and skills within their sphere of practice including Livewell Southwest mandatory training.
• Expert ability in receiving information, analysing and formulating professional judgments.
• The post holder will provide assessment and other interventions in the setting most appropriate to meet the children and young peoples needs.
• Ability to match children & infants need with available skills and resources.
• Take a lead in assessments and detailed observations in nursery settings and in the home. Formulate plans for appropriate short-term intervention or to sign post to other team members or external, relevant services.
• Making appropriate agreed referrals for longer-term treatment as appropriate.
• Take a lead role in clinical decision-making and collaborating with other team members in the provision of infant, children and families care packages.
• Ensure the on-going effective use of routine outcome monitoring in line with CYP IAPT.
• Take a lead role in the identification of risk and the formulation of risk management plans.
• Provide education to families to enhance their knowledge of infant mental health issues and management of this.
• Promote resilience and prevention of mental health issues.
• Maintain high standards of clinical care to infants; young children and their families.
• To liaise and work with other CAMHS teams to ensure the needs of children and met by the right team, on the right pathway at the right time.
• Provide support & supervision to new members of staff and students from a variety of disciplines.
• Freedom to Act:
• The post holder will be individually accountable for their practice in accordance with the NMC professional Code of Conduct or HCPC.
• The post holder will actively participate in line management supervision with the Team Manager of the Team.
• The post holder will actively participate in clinical supervision in accordance with Livewell Southwest policy.
• The post holder will actively participate in the Livewell Southwest appraisal system.
• The post holder will carry out other duties commensurate with the position as required.Mental Effort:
• Accurate manual and electronic record keeping whilst coping with constant interruptions and distraction in the work place for example: telephone calls and questions from colleagues.
• Constantly deal with sensitive, intricate and complex clinical and service decisions whilst frequently being required to change from one activity to another at a third party request, i.e. Telephone or staff interruption and be able to respond in a positive and constructive manner to emergency situations.
• Managing to extract information from people with communication difficulties due to acute distressing
• mental health problems, often in noisy or busy environments.
• Home visits to multi-occupied buildings, some without lifts.
• Frequent driving to different areas of the city.
• Sitting at a computer terminal for long periods of time.
• To be able to sit for prolonged periods of time whilst conducting assessments
• Emotional Effort:
• People who are very difficult to engage within a therapeutic relationship.
• Ability to cope with stress generated from the constant changing priorities within the Team.
• Ability to make clinical decisions to meet the needs of infant, children and families in the community setting.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Infant Mental Health Practitioner role sits within The Infant Mental Health Pathway within The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in Plymouth working to a model of delivery that meets the needs of Infants, children, young people and families in the city.

We are looking to recruit an Infant Mental Health Practitioner into our Infant Mental Health Pathway to work with children 0-5 years and their families. The direct work will cover the 0-5 years age range with consultations with families & professionals and delivering training when required.

The team is a community-based, innovative and needs-led response to infants, young children and families across the full care pathway.

To work as an Infant Mental health practitioner to deliver consultation, assessment and interventions working with infants & young children from 0-5 years old and their parents/ carers.

Co-ordination and implementation of evidence-based targeted interventions incorporating outcome measures.

To co-ordinate and contribute to assessment to ensure that infants and young children access timely assessments and the appropriate targeted interventions.

Take a lead in representing CAMHS in multi-agency meetings and have oversight of mental health element of a multi-agency plan around a child.

To function as a member of the Infant Mental Health Pathway taking appropriate responsibility for the implementation of decisions made by the team.

Maintain standards of care to highest level within available resources.

To actively participate in line management with senior and junior members of staff.

To liaise effectively with the other CAMHS community teams across the city.

To develop and maintain relationships with providers, statutory and non-statutory.

To maintain confidentiality in respect of the Infant, Children and Families at all times.

Communicate clearly with children and young people, their families and all other health professional groups about their mental health problems.

Actively participate in clinical governance and quality improvement initiatives, e.g. clinical audit, essence of care or clinical policy development.

Deliver group work to patients and/or families of patients.

Deliver training to staff both within and external to Livewell when indicated and within scope of experience

• The post holder will be responsible for updating their own practice, knowledge and skills within their sphere of practice including Livewell Southwest mandatory training.
• Expert ability in receiving information, analysing and formulating professional judgments.
• The post holder will provide assessment and other interventions in the setting most appropriate to meet the children and young peoples needs.
• Ability to match children & infants need with available skills and resources.
• Take a lead in assessments and detailed observations in nursery settings and in the home. Formulate plans for appropriate short-term intervention or to sign post to other team members or external, relevant services.
• Making appropriate agreed referrals for longer-term treatment as appropriate.
• Take a lead role in clinical decision-making and collaborating with other team members in the provision of infant, children and families care packages.
• Ensure the on-going effective use of routine outcome monitoring in line with CYP IAPT.
• Take a lead role in the identification of risk and the formulation of risk management plans.
• Provide education to families to enhance their knowledge of infant mental health issues and management of this.
• Promote resilience and prevention of mental health issues.
• Maintain high standards of clinical care to infants; young children and their families.
• To liaise and work with other CAMHS teams to ensure the needs of children and met by the right team, on the right pathway at the right time.
• Provide support & supervision to new members of staff and students from a variety of disciplines.
• Freedom to Act:
• The post holder will be individually accountable for their practice in accordance with the NMC professional Code of Conduct or HCPC.
• The post holder will actively participate in line management supervision with the Team Manager of the Team.
• The post holder will actively participate in clinical supervision in accordance with Livewell Southwest policy.
• The post holder will actively participate in the Livewell Southwest appraisal system.
• The post holder will carry out other duties commensurate with the position as required.Mental Effort:
• Accurate manual and electronic record keeping whilst coping with constant interruptions and distraction in the work place for example: telephone calls and questions from colleagues.
• Constantly deal with sensitive, intricate and complex clinical and service decisions whilst frequently being required to change from one activity to another at a third party request, i.e. Telephone or staff interruption and be able to respond in a positive and constructive manner to emergency situations.
• Managing to extract information from people with communication difficulties due to acute distressing
• mental health problems, often in noisy or busy environments.
• Home visits to multi-occupied buildings, some without lifts.
• Frequent driving to different areas of the city.
• Sitting at a computer terminal for long periods of time.
• To be able to sit for prolonged periods of time whilst conducting assessments
• Emotional Effort:
• People who are very difficult to engage within a therapeutic relationship.
• Ability to cope with stress generated from the constant changing priorities within the Team.
• Ability to make clinical decisions to meet the needs of infant, children and families in the community setting.
  

Person Specification

Knowledge & skills

Essential

• Knowledge of relevant legislation and policies relating to infant & children's mental health.
• Knowledge of therapeutic principles within mental health.
• Knowledge of attachment and the impact of trauma
• Knowledge of infant development and how it can be impacted
• Excellent interpersonal & communication skills
• Commitment to anti-oppressive practice.
• Commitment to own learning and professional development.
  
  

Desirable

• IT skills and knowledge of various platforms used in health.
  
  

Qualifications

Essential

• Core qualification in nursing, social worker, OT or psychology with at least 3 years post-registration experience or as a band 6 working with infants & young children.
• Professional registration relevant to professional qualification i.e. NMC, HCPC
  
  

Desirable

• Post graduate training in working with infants, young children & families in mental health i.e. systemic practice, play therapy.
• Practice supervisor & assessor training to support student nurses.
  
  

Experience

Essential

• Post-registration experience of working within children's mental health.
• Professional registration relevant to professional qualification i.e. NMC
• Experience of working within a team and multi-agency working.
• Experience of providing mental health assessments, interventions and risk management.
• Experience of effective working with families of different cultural & ethnicity backgrounds.
• Experience of managing your own caseload
• Be able to prioritise tasks
  
  

Desirable

• Experience of delivering training.
  
  

Circumstances

Essential

• Ability to travel across Plymouth
• Ability to work flexibly (hours of work and duties) both as an individual and with other colleagues in LSW and with partner agencies.
• Able to undertake the demands of the post with reasonable adjustments where required.
  
  

Desirable

• Car owner/driver or suitable alternative transport to enable you to undertake the job. It is unlikely that public transport will meet this requirement.
• Adjustments can be considered in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act.
  
  

Person Specification

Knowledge & skills

Essential

• Ability to travel across Plymouth
• Ability to work flexibly (hours of work and duties) both as an individual and with other colleagues in LSW and with partner agencies.
• Able to undertake the demands of the post with reasonable adjustments where required.
  
  

Desirable

• Car owner/driver or suitable alternative transport to enable you to undertake the job. It is unlikely that public transport will meet this requirement.
• Adjustments can be considered in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act.
  
  

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

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

Additional information

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

Livewell Southwest

Address

Tamar Folk Children's Centre

Victoria Road Primary School

Plymouth

PL5 1RH

Employer's website

https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Livewell Southwest

Address

Tamar Folk Children's Centre

Victoria Road Primary School

Plymouth

PL5 1RH

Employer's website

https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)