CAMHS RAFT Senior Mental Health Practitioner

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust; Taunton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

NHS pension scheme

Generous annual leave

Career development

Blue Light Card discounts

Job summary

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 6 Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join the CAMHS RAFT team. You will conduct comprehensive assessments, develop and review treatment plans, and deliver specialist interventions for children and young people with mental health difficulties.

The role involves working across clinics, schools and community settings, with extended-hours service seven days a week, shift coordination, and supervision of junior staff to ensure high-quality, accessible

Qualifications

• Must hold a professional qualification in Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy or a related discipline.
• Significant post-qualification experience working with children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties.
• Knowledge of a wide range of evidence-based treatment/therapeutic interventions and risk assessment with high-risk young people.

Responsibilities

• Undertake comprehensive mental health assessments of children, young people and families referred to CAMHS RAFT.
• Develop, implement and review evidence-based treatment plans in collaboration with young people, families and partner agencies.
• Deliver brief therapeutic interventions and practical support to children, young people and their carers.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop risk management plans for high-risk cases.
• Liaise with CAMHS, acute services, social care, education and other partners to ensure coordinated care pathways.
• Act as a key contact for patients, carers and referrers regarding referrals and care pathways.
• Participate in seven-day rota and undertake shift coordination duties.
• Provide clinical supervision and support to Band 4 staff.
• Contribute to service development, audit, evaluation and quality improvement.
• Maintain accurate clinical records in line with Trust standards.

Education

Nursing

Social Work

Occupational Therapy

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Rapid Access Family Team (RAFT) as a Band 6 Senior Mental Health Practitioner. Working as part of a specialist multidisciplinary team, you will provide assessment, treatment and evaluation of intensive support for children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties.

This rewarding role involves delivering evidence-based therapeutic interventions, undertaking comprehensive assessments and supporting children, young people and their families in a variety of settings, including clinical environments, schools, community locations and family homes.

You will work both autonomously and collaboratively within an extended-hours service operating seven days a week. As a senior member of the team, you will also contribute to shift coordination responsibilities and provide support and supervision to colleagues, helping to ensure the delivery of high-quality, responsive mental health care across Somerset.

Main duties of the job

• Undertake comprehensive mental health assessments of children, young people and their families referred to the CAMHS RAFT service.
• Develop, implement and review evidence-based treatment plans in collaboration with young people, families and partner agencies.
• Deliver brief therapeutic interventions and practical support to children, young people and their carers.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop risk management plans for young people presenting with high-risk behaviours.
• Liaise effectively with CAMHS teams, acute services, social care, education services, voluntary organisations and other partner agencies to ensure coordinated care pathways.
• Act as a key point of contact for patients, carers and referrers, providing advice and guidance regarding referrals and care pathways.
• Participate in the team rota and undertake daily shift coordination responsibilities within the extended-hours service.
• Provide clinical supervision and support to Band 4 Child & Family Support Workers and other colleagues as appropriate.
• Contribute to service development, audit, evaluation and quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical records in line with Trust standards and professional requirements.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities

The CAMHS RAFT Senior Mental Health Practitioner will play a pivotal role in supporting children and young people experiencing significant mental health challenges. The post holder will be responsible for assessing need, formulating care plans and delivering specialist interventions aimed at promoting recovery, resilience and positive outcomes for young people and their families.

Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will undertake both joint and individual assessments, determine appropriate interventions and work collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies to deliver effective care. You will evaluate and review treatment plans, ensuring care remains responsive to the changing needs of young people and their families.

A key aspect of the role will involve undertaking risk assessments and implementing risk management plans for children and young people presenting with complex mental health needs or high-risk behaviours. You will provide timely advice and consultation to professionals, support effective decision-making and facilitate access to the most appropriate services.

The successful candidate will contribute to the operational delivery of the service by participating in the seven-day rota and undertaking shift coordination duties. They will support the ongoing development of the service through participation in audit, evaluation, clinical governance and service improvement activities.

Applicants should hold a professional qualification in Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy or a related professional discipline and have significant post-qualification experience working with children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties. Experience within CAMHS services, strong assessment skills and experience of risk management are essential.

The post holder will demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to work effectively under pressure and a commitment to delivering compassionate, person-centred care. They will work in accordance with Trust values of Kindness, Respect and Teamwork, supporting the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality mental health services for children, young people and their families.

Qualifications

• Qualification in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, or equivalent field.
• Advanced training in and/or substantial experience in the use of behaviour and or evidence-based interventions with children and families.
• Evidence of previous and ongoing commitment to continuous professional development.
• Qualification in CBT / Counselling / Dialectical Behaviour Therapy / behaviour modification / social skills or group therapy.

Experience

• Significant post-qualifying experience of working with children and young people with mental health difficulties.
• Previous experience in a CAMH service which preferably includes liaising with and giving advice to referrers and clients at the point of entry to a service.

Additional Criteria

• Knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders in children and young people, and their impact on both the client group and their families/carers.
• Knowledge of a wide range of evidence-based treatment/therapeutic interventions.
• Knowledge and experience of risk assessment and risk management planning with high-risk young people.
• Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service.

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.