Community Mental Health Practitioner

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust; Halifax; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health trust in the United Kingdom is seeking a Community Mental Health Practitioner to provide short-term interventions for service users with mental health problems. The successful candidate will work closely within a multi-disciplinary team and engage with local GPs and healthcare providers to optimize patient care. This Band 5 role offers a development plan to advance to Band 6 upon completion. Applicants must have a current driving license and an understanding of mental health legislation.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate skills in assessing and managing people experiencing mental health problems.
• Ability to deliver therapeutic techniques for one-to-one or group interventions.
• Current driving license and access to a car during working hours.

Responsibilities

• Hold a caseload of service users providing brief interventions.
• Work within a multi-disciplinary team for comprehensive client assessment.
• Liaise with GPs and healthcare providers to maintain clients' well-being.

Skills

Communication skills

Cultural awareness

Risk assessment skills

Therapeutic techniques

Education

Registered Mental Health Nurse / Social Worker / Occupational Therapist

Tools

IT systems

Job description

Overview

Go back South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Community Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 10 February 2026

Band 5 role with development plan to move to band 6 on completion.

Calderdale Core pathway is a large pathway which comprises nurses, social workers, support workers, psychologists, and medical staff. As team members we operate to new ways of working. The Core pathway works with different types of service users. People within general core pathway will be offered short term brief focused interventions before they are discharged back to primary care. The treatment team and nurse led clinics offer longer term support and interventions to people with SMI, which will include both mental health and physical health monitoring.

This post will sit within the Calderdale Core pathway; general work with service users who have mental health problems and need short term brief interventions.

A key role in this pathway will be to work closely as part of a team and create positive relationships with GPs.

For informal enquiries or to arrange a visit contact Kim Gregory, Team Manager - Calderdale core pathway on 01422 262377/262378.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

Main duties of the job

• Hold a caseload of service users providing short term brief interventions such as DBT type skills (training provided), CBT, anxiety management, stabilisation skills and also provide care to service users with longer term mental health problems alongside physical health monitoring.
• Provide support to service users that is tailored to their needs.
• Complete outreach visits to service users who are unable to come independently into clinic and/or facilitate supporting service users into clinic.
• Work with service users to find the best plan of care for their needs.
• Help service users stay mentally and physically well and work towards an optimum level of recovery including liaising with GPs and other health care providers.
• To work closely with GPs, physical healthcare providers, partner organisations.

At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, we are unable to sponsor anyone for a skilled worker visa for this role.

We are happy to accept applications from candidates who can prove their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes. Such applications will be considered alongside all other applications.

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 we’re accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we’re 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 expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve the right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job responsibilities

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 a Core CMHT.

KEY RESULT AREAS: To work as a member of an integrated multi-disciplinary team providing comprehensive assessment of clients 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 mental health care is delivered (e.g. CPA, MHA). 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.

Professional

Assesses needs and identifies problems relevant to the care of people referred. Devises a plan of care in partnership with the person and carers. Implements the planned programme of care to ensure a high standard is achieved. Reviews the effectiveness of the care provided and where appropriate initiates any action.

To be competent in all aspects of care and risk management as defined within the framework of the care programme approach.

To work collaboratively with clients, carers and multiple other agencies to provide effective care to optimise and maintain clients mental health and overall functioning, ensuring needs are met.

Management of enquiries and direct referrals of people in accordance with the Core CMHT Operational Policy and participates in the team duty rota. To participate in the team duty rota.

Maintain professional registration and demonstrate commitment to statutory codes of practice and continued professional development requirements.

To be responsible for the safe custody, transportation and administration of medicines including IM preparations (if appropriate to qualification).

Education

Provide peer supervision and support to other team members and to take personal responsibility and supervise junior staff in the maintenance of written and electronic client and Trust records including inputting data related to own work activity. To identify any areas of concern to a senior member of staff.

To have an understanding of and participate in the clinical audit process.

To have an awareness of evidence based practice relevant to the specialist area and participate in the education of individuals and target group.

To participate in the Trusts values-based appraisal system, understanding appropriate training and participating in personal development opportunities.

For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Person Specification

Special Knowledge & Skills

• 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 carers services/ issues/ assessment.

Physical Attributes

• 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).

Experience

• Can demonstrate skills in assessing and managing 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.
• Ability to support colleagues and supervise students/trainees.
• Experience of working holistically with adults with an emphasis on coexisting mental and physical health needs that impacts on wellbeing.

Personal Attributes

• Ability to work as part of MDT.
• Ability to work on own initiative, with reference to policies and procedures.
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential.
• 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.

Training

• Assessment and care planning skills and risk assessment and risk management.
• Relevant Post basic qualification and training.

Qualifications

• Registered Mental Health Nurse / Social Worker / Occupational therapist.
• Experience of mentoring/supporting learners or ability to demonstrate the skills required for effective mentoring.
• Expected to work towards Practice Educator.

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.

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Laura Mitchell Health and Wellbeing Centre