Community Mental Health Practitioner

NHS; Rugeley; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in the United Kingdom seeks a Community Mental Health Practitioner to provide intensive support for children and young people with Autism. This role involves delivering assessments and interventions in line with clinical guidelines. Candidates need a relevant professional qualification and experience with complex mental health issues. Join a multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving mental health outcomes and community engagement.

Benefits

Great career development opportunities

Ongoing training and support

Qualifications

• Qualified Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, or equivalent.
• Demonstrable knowledge and continuous post qualified experience/professional development.
• Experience with complex mental health needs and Autism.

Responsibilities

• Deliver extended mental health assessments and support to children and young people.
• Work directly with CYP and families for comprehensive assessments.
• Play a key role in crisis response and ongoing intensive support.

Skills

Compassionate

Dynamic

Experienced

Education

First level nursing/AHP/Social Work qualification in mental health

Tools

ADOS

ADIR

Job description

Go back Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Community Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 25 September 2025

We are seeking a compassionate, dynamic, and experienced Community Mental Health Practitioner who is a qualified Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, or equivalent, registered with the appropriate professional body to join our multidisciplinary team supporting children and young people (CYP) with Autism (diagnosed or under assessment) who are experiencing mental health crises or complex emotional needs.

This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to deliver intensive and tailored support to a highly vulnerable group, improving their mental health and emotional wellbeing, and supporting positive family and community engagement.

This is an exciting time to join our new team and engage in the mobilisation.

You will be responsible for the assessment of need and delivery of safe and effective interventions for CYP and families in their communities and in places of safety, working to avoid hospital admission and manage complex risks, in accordance with recognised clinical guidance. Co-ordinating the care of the CYP on caseload. Work as part of the MDT and in an integrated way with wider teams and services to meet the needs of the CYP & Families. Offer advice, support and supervision to other healthcare professionals.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver extended and intensive mental health assessment and support to CYP with Autism (diagnosed, under assessment, or presenting traits).
• Work directly with CYP and their families to carry out comprehensive assessments, including risk management, and deliver effective treatment interventions.
• Play a key role in crisis response, brief interventions, and ongoing intensive support, with a strong focus on avoiding hospital admissions and ensuring smooth transitions between services.
• Support the development and implementation of Wellbeing and Recovery Action Plans (WRAP), tailored to individual needs and strengths.
• Provide consultation, advice, and signposting to external professionals and carers, particularly in relation to risk and urgency.

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Job responsibilities

For more information relating to this vacancy please refer to the attached job description and job specification

Person Specification

Qualifications

• First level (Degree or higher diploma) professional Nursing/AHP/Social Work/Therapy qualification in mental health, Social Work, Nursing AHP or equivalent with demonstrable knowledge and continuous post qualified experience/professional development.
• Evidence of extensive post registration experience with working with those who may experience complex mental health needs and Autism in the community setting
• Experience of working with people who have difficulty in engaging with services and have complex mental health needs
• ADOS and/or ADIR trained and/or experience of undertaking these assessments as part of an MDT Autism assessment
• Experience of working with people who may have neurodevelopmental needs such as Autism, ADHD or Learning Disability
• Experience of working in a crisis/intensive support model

Experience

• Experience of working with people who have difficulty in engaging with services and have complex mental health needs
• Experience of effectively managing mental health related issues/referrals/need for advice face to face and virtually, including telephone, at times of high demand and in relation to highly stressful/emotive situations.
• Experience of working in a crisis/intensive support model
• Experience in CAMHS although the lack of explicit CAMHS experience is not an excluding factor

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.

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust