Community Practitioner

Cumbria,-Northumberland,-Tyne-and-Wear-Nhs-Foundation-Trust; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Lease cars

Childcare schemes

Staff discounts

Season tickets for travel

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust in Sunderland is seeking a Band 6 Community Practitioner to join the Children’s Mental Health pathway. You will coordinate assessments and treatment for children and young people with complex needs, working with families, schools and multi-agency partners to deliver timely, child-centered care.

Training and supervision will be provided. You will join a supportive multidisciplinary team with opportunities for professional development,

Qualifications

• Registered nurse or allied health professional with current registration.
• Post-registration experience in mental health or related field.
• Experience with children and families, and ability to conduct assessments.
• Knowledge of CPA, Safeguarding, MAPPA and Child Protection recommended.
• Experience in community team and non-medical prescribing advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and contribute to mental health assessments and interventions.
• Offer evidence-based interventions to children and families.
• Provide clear communication with parents, carers and professionals.
• Participate in MDT discussions and formulation meetings.

Skills

Multi-agency working

Documentation

Communication

Caseload management

Education

First Level Registered Nurse (RNMH, RMN, RNLD) or equivalent AHP/Social Worker/Clinical Psychologist

Job description

Employer Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Monkwearmouth Hospital Town Sunderland Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 10/11/2026 23:59

Community Practitioner

Band 6

Hello!

We are so delighted you are considering coming to work with us at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW).

We know the power of looking into an organisation, one you might want to work in, or one where you are going to get help, and being able to say, ‘I’ve seen somewhere I can fit in and be myself.’ We’re on a journey to make the Trust an inclusive employer, representative of the community we serve and we want more of our community to consider applying for jobs with us.

Opportunities for you

Spanning east to west coasts from Northumberland to Cumbria and from the Scottish Borders down to Middlesbrough we’ve got exciting new opportunities available at every level and in every area.

We offer flexible working, helping work fit around family and caring responsibilities, or training and development needs and there’s lots on offer in the way of benefits, such as, lease cars, childcare schemes, staff discounts, season tickets for travel and a cycle to work scheme. All this in a vibrant workplace supported by the following staff networks.

• Cultural diversity staff network
• Disabled staff network
• LGBT+ staff network

We also have a number of staff support groups which are open to any staff to attend. These Include:

• Armed Forces and Veterans Staff Network
• Mind, Health and Wellbeing Community
• Menopause toolkit and cafes and staff carer support group

We offer fantastic personal development opportunities through our Collective Leadership Programme and other Organisational Development initiatives. Whatever you are looking for, you will be joining a supportive, friendly team, offering varied and interesting roles, with opportunities for career progression.

We’re always seeking to improve as an organisation. Do you want to be part of that?

Please note that it is a requirement of this Trust that all external applicants pay for their own DBS certification if a DBS check is required for the post. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first monthly pay

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic and skilled Band 6 Community Practitioner to join our dynamic Children’s Mental Health assessment and Treatment Pathway in Sunderland CYPS.

This is an exciting opportunity to work with children and young people with complex mental health needs.

You will be central to the coordination and delivery of assessments and treatment, working closely with families, schools, and multi-agency partners to ensure timely, child-centred, and evidence-based care.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• A registered health or social care professional (e.g. mental health or learning disability nurse, OT, Social Worker.)
• Experienced in working with children, young people, and families
• Confident in assessing developmental, behavioural, or emotional needs
• Skilled in multi-agency working and collaborative practice
• Organised, proactive, and able to manage a busy caseload, including concise and timely completion of documentation.
• Compassionate, child-focused, and committed to improving outcomes

Experience in children's mental health is desirable but we welcome applicants with transferable skills.

Training and supervision will be provided.

Main duties of the job

• Coordinating and contributing to mental health assessment and interventions, working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Offering evidence based interventions.
• Providing clear, compassionate communication with parents, carers, and professionals
• Participating in MDT discussions and formulation meetings

Working for our organisation

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

Sunderland Children and Young People's Service is a well-established, multi-disciplinary community team providing high-quality support to children, young people, and families.
You will be joining a friendly, supportive team that includes professionals from nursing, Psychology and Psychiatry. We work collaboratively, drawing on a wide range of expertise to deliver holistic, child-centred care. Regular supervision, peer support, and opportunities for joint working are embedded in our culture, and we actively encourage professional development and reflective practice.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Our service values innovation, compassion, and teamwork. We are committed to improving outcomes for children, young people and their families. We welcome practitioners who share our enthusiasm for high-quality, inclusive, and evidence-informed practice.

Please find attached job description for full details.

We welcome your application.

Person specification

Education and Qualification

• Professional Qualification and current Professional Registration as, a First Level Registered Nurse (RNMH, RMN, RNLD) or equivalent as an AHP, Social Worker or Clinical Psychologist
• Up-to-date knowledge/experience of relevant legislation.
• Evidence of post-registration training in clinical/ psychological interventions / skills relevant to the post.
• Proven track record of post registration clinical experience relevant to the post.
• Training in CPA (Care Programme Approach), Safeguarding, MAPPA (Multi Agency Panel for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults) and Child Protection.
• Post Registration Qualifications in Psychological Interventions
• Experience of working within a community team.
• Non-Medical Prescribing

Knowledge and Experience

• 12 to 24 month band 5 qualified nurse experience dependent upon service need.
• Awareness and understanding of professional accountability, NMC standards and other local and national initiatives.
• Understanding mental health presentations and interventions.

Skills and Competencies

• Proven ability to carry out and provide comprehensive written assessments of individuals with complex mental health needs.
• Risk Assessment and Risk Management / Safety Planning skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of effective & appropriate treatment options including a range of evidence based clinical approaches as identified in N.I.C.E. Guidance).
• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Evidence of a high level of professional, organisational and leadership skills (self & others).
• Ability to adapt within a changing environment.
• Ability to work under pressure.

Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment. Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed.

Please ensure to check out all of the supporting documents linked to this advert, for useful information about working for us, information from our Chief Executive and much more.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Angela ODell Job title Team Manager Email address angela.o'[e-mail] Telephone number 0191 5665500 Additional information Contact name Louise Bell, Team Manager tel [phone]