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 Sunderland South Community Treatment Team. The role focuses on MDT assessments, delivering evidence-based therapies, and leading care planning for adults with complex mental health needs.

You will work within a multidisciplinary team, providing safe, effective, and compassionate care, with opportunities for training and professional development within the NHS framework.

Qualifications

• Professional registration with the relevant body (NMC or equivalent).
• Post-registration training in clinical/psychological interventions.
• Experience in community or mental health settings.

Responsibilities

• Providing MDT assessment of clients’ needs and identifying collaborative treatment plans.
• Deliver evidence-based psychological therapies individually and in group settings.
• Support the wider team to ensure high standards of care.
• Understand pharmacological approaches to treatment.
• Develop skills with the team and participate in training opportunities.

Skills

Assessment

Risk assessment

Written communication

Verbal communication

Clinical leadership

Staff training

Teaching/presentation

Interpersonal skills

Adaptability

Working under pressure

Education

First Level Registered Nurse (RNMH/RMN/RNLD) or equivalent

Post-registration qualifications in psychological interventions

Job description

Employer Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Doxford Park Town Sunderland Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 08/10/2026 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

Sunderland South Community Treatment Team have an opportunity for a band 6 clinician to join the service. We are looking to recruit a caring and compassionate Community Practitioner with excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work as part of our multi-disciplinary team offering assessment and treatment to clients experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties. Your responsibilities will include the assessment and treatment of clients experiencing mental health difficulties, both psychosis and non psychosis, working closely with families and other professionals.

The role requires an element of autonomous working and leadership skills and you must be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to the delivery of high quality, safe and effective treatment.

It is essential that you have a professional qualification in the field of health and/or social care and are registered with the relevant professional body. We provide excellent training opportunities to allow you to deliver NICE guidance treatment. You will work closely with the multi-disciplinary team including Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Psychology/Psychological Therapists, Consultant Psychiatrists, Clinical Support Assistants and Peer Supporters. You will receive regular supervision both on an individual basis and in a group setting and will work closely with other CNTW services and local agencies.

We would welcome applicants from Nursing, Social Care and Occupational Therapy backgrounds.

Main duties of the job

Providing MDT assessment of clients’ needs and identifying collaborative treatment plans.

Deliver various evidence based psychological therapies both individually and in a group setting.

Support the wider team in ensuring the provision of excellent standards of care.

Have a good understanding of pharmacological approaches to treatment.

To work together with clients and their families through the journey of care. You will be expected to develop your skills and the team has access to excellent training opportunities.

To maintain effective working relationships with other teams in CNTW and external agencies.

To support with the implementation of Community Transformation agenda.

Working collectively with the team in maintaining individual and team wellbeing.

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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

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
• 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.
• Up-to-date knowledge/experience of relevant legislation.
• 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 of difficult to manage/challenging behaviours.

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.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Clinical Leadership.
• Training & Induction of staff.
• Teaching/Presentation skills.

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.