CAMHS Primary Practitioner

Riverside Healthcare Ltd; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust in Wakefield is seeking a CAMHS Primary Practitioner (Band 5) to join the Primary Intervention Team. You will triage, assess and provide brief interventions for children and families within the SPA, delivering targeted support and making onward referrals as needed.

You will work within a multidisciplinary team in a community or hospital setting, with a focus on early intervention and safeguarding. UK registration and NHS experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Registered professional with UK registration in one of the eligible disciplines.
• Experience working within CAMHS or similar mental health services.
• Ability to work within MDT and triage pathway.

Responsibilities

• First point of contact via SPA triage for children, young people and families.
• Deliver 2+1 brief intervention sessions.
• Make informed clinical decisions and provide signposting.
• Manage risk assessment and safeguarding referrals.

Skills

Strong communication

Decision making

Independent & team work

Early intervention

Education

Registered MH Nurse / Social Worker / OT

Job description

Job Summary

Full time - 37.5 hours per weekWe are looking for an enthusiastic, compassionate and skilled CAMHS Primary Practitioner to join our Primary Intervention Team within Wakefield CAMHS. This is an exciting opportunity to work in the heart of our Single Point of Access (SPA), where youll play a key role in the triage and early intervention pathway helping young people and families to get the right help, at the right time. You would be joining the team at a really exciting time, where we are working collaboratively to review our front door into the service. We are seeking an experienced and motivated professional with experience in mental health. Youll bring: Strong communication and decision-making skills, Confidence in working independently as well as part of a team, A calm and empathetic approach in fast paced situations, A passion for early intervention

• Strong communication and decision-making skills
• Confidence in working independently as well as part of a team
• A calm and empathetic approach in fast paced situations
• A passion for early intervention

We are a supportive and friendly team that values your skills and well-being. Whether youre looking for a new challenge or embarking on your first Band 5 role, we would love to hear from you! Calls are encouraged. We are based at Drury Lane Health & Well-Being Centre in the centre of Wakefield, with a permanent move planned to Fieldhead Hospital from September 2027.

Main duties of the job

Single Point of Access (SPA) Youll be the first point of contact for children, young people, families and professionals. Youll take triage calls, make informed clinical decisions, and offer supportive advice and signposting, helping to support people to navigate what can feel like a daunting system. 2+1 Intervention Youll deliver brief, targeted support through our 2+1 approach. One initial assessment and two focused intervention sessions. The role would require you to support children, young people and families to get the right support, and make onward referrals either internally within Wakefield CAMHS or to external agencies. You would need to have excellent risk assessment and triage skills, along with making safeguarding referrals where required. The service is open Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00. All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients. At the time of advertising, this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.

About Us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative. Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers. We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities. Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust. Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Details

Date posted 26 October 2026

Pay scheme Agenda for change

Band Band 5

Salary £32,073 to £39,043 a year

Contract Permanent

Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number C9378-W1567

Job locations Drury Lane Health & Wellbeing Centre, Wakefield, WF1 2TE, United Kingdom

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

JOB PURPOSE: The post holder will be responsible and accountable for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of skilled interventions to address identified needs and risk for allocated clients on a defined caseload. Works within a multi-disciplinary team as a member of Specialist CAMHS.

KEY RESULT AREAS

• To work as a member of an integrated multi-disciplinary team providing comprehensive assessment of children, young people and their carers, planning, implementing and evaluating skilled interventions to address identified needs.
• To have knowledge of current issues and research relevant to the legislative framework and systems in which childrens mental health care is delivered e.g. Children Act, Mental Health Act and Care Programme Approach.
• To contribute to service development within the clinical governance structure and policies and procedures of the Trust. Adhering to NHS guidance outlined by the relevant statutory registration bodies.
• Promote the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people.

For Full Job Description, Please See Attached Supporting Documents.

Person Specification

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Ability to work on as part of MDT.
• Good communication skills. Ability to work on own initiative, with reference to policies and procedures.
• Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to the role
• A willingness to work flexibly to meet the needs of services users and the team including extended hours
• Reliable and enthusiastic
• Motivated and resourceful
• Professional attitude

Special Knowledge/Skills

Essential

• Working knowledge of recent government legislation e.g. Mental Health Act, Health & Safety, Care Programme Approach, Care Act & Safeguarding
• Able to work incorporating principles of Clinical Governance
• Knowledge of working collaboratively with people and their carers to ensure their involvement in the assessment and care planning process
• Shows awareness of cultural diversity and is able to incorporate this into care planning and the delivery of care
• Knowledge and evidence of using IT systems
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of audit processes
• Knowledge of carer services/ issues/ assessment

Desirable

• Knowledge of audit processes
• Knowledge of carers services / issues / assessment
• Skills and Knowledge working holistically with children and young people

Experience

Essential

• Can demonstrate skills in assessing and managing people / children and young people experiencing mental health problems
• Can demonstrate skills in assessing and managing risk in a variety of settings
• Proven ability in assessing the needs and strengths of people and their carers
• Ability to deliver a range of therapeutic techniques which can be incorporated into one to one and / or group interventions
• Working within an integrated multi-disciplinary environment and co-working with other teams within team meetings, case conferences and professional meetings

Desirable

• Ability to support colleagues and supervise students/trainees
• Experience of working holistically with children and young people with an emphasis on a holistic assessment of emotional and mental health needs alongside coexisting physical and environmental factors that impacts on wellbeing

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Mental Health Nurse / Social Worker / Occupational therapist

Desirable

• Mentorship Qualification or equivalent
• Expected to work towards practice educator

Training

Essential

• Assessment and care planning skills and risk assessment and risk management.

Desirable

• Relevant Post basic qualification and training

Physical Attributes

Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

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

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Drury Lane Health & Wellbeing Centre

Wakefield

WF1 2TE

United Kingdom

Employer's website

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