First Contact Mental Health Practitioner

TN United Kingdom; Scarborough; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time First Contact Mental Health Practitioner to work within primary care in Scarborough. This role is fundamental to the development of inclusive and integrated mental health services, ensuring that individuals with mental health difficulties receive the support they need. You will collaborate with a dedicated team, offering specialist advice and clinical care, and contribute to transforming local community mental health services. If you're passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals facing mental health challenges, this role offers the chance to be at the forefront of innovative care.

Qualifications

• Current professional registration with appropriate body in healthcare or social work.
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development and clinical supervision experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist mental health advice and clinical care for patients.
• Work collaboratively with GP practices to improve access to mental health support.

Skills

Mental Health Support

Clinical Supervision

Triage and Assessment

Communication Skills

Multi-disciplinary Teamwork

Education

Professional Registration in Healthcare or Social Work

Certificate in Mentorship

Post-graduate Qualification in Relevant Area

Job description

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First Contact Mental Health Practitioner, Scarborough

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Client:

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Location:

Scarborough, United Kingdom

Job Category:

-

EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

a37f256965bf

Job Views:

3

Posted:

08.05.2025

Expiry Date:

22.06.2025

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Job Description:

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full time First Contact Mental Health Practitioner, to work within primary care within the Scarborough Core Primary Care Network (SCORE PCN).

After the successful introduction of our initial first contact mental health practitioners, we aspire to expand the service with a further innovative offer.

This role is fundamental to the development of inclusive & integrated mental health services.

NMC Mental Health Nurses, Social Workers (England), HCPC Occupational Therapist encouraged to apply.

Main duties of the job

SCORE PCN, together with TEWV NHS Foundation Trust, are working together to transform local community mental health services. By working co-operatively, we will be able to provide meaningful support for people with mental health difficulties, in a way that meets their needs closer to their communities and their homes.

The postholder joins the existing adult first contact mental health practitioners and will work in partnership with practice colleagues to continue to build the new service within SCORE PCN. The PCN's ambition is to improve access to emotional and mental health support for everyone.

As a valued team member, you will develop close working relationships with all our friendly Clinical staff, including our existing Mental Health Practitioners. Your role will involve offering specialist mental health advice and providing expert clinical care for people with a range of mental health needs, ensuring that those with complex mental illness do not fall between gaps in services. You will also contribute to safe and effective transitions in care between services, where appropriate. You will improve access by being a 'first contact mental health worker', undertaking triage, assessments, brief interventions, and reviews, with clinical supervision provided by a B7 Mental Health Practitioner. You will contribute networking and navigation expertise, enabling access to a range of appropriate mental health support across the community system.

About us

You will work across SCORE's associated GP Practices: Brook Square Surgery, Castle Health Centre, Haxby Group Scarborough & Eastfield Medical Centre. SCORE PCN looks after the needs of over 51,000 people within central Scarborough and the Eastfield area.

Scarborough is a historic seaside town on the stunning Yorkshire Coast with a vibrant culture. Scarborough is near to the Yorkshire Moors & Wolds, and within easy reach of York, which has excellent road and rail links.

The Practices work together based on a firm foundation of "people, passion, innovation". SCORE puts people at the heart of everything they do, striving to work innovatively to create solutions that add value, optimise health, and improve experience & quality of life. The PCN has a registered population that experiences high deprivation and challenges associated with social determinants of health - we would welcome enthusiastic innovators with a strong desire to work in partnership to achieve the best possible outcomes for local people and communities, and with the motivation and flexibility to help develop our services as the team evolves to meet the changing needs of the population.

The successful candidate will be well-supported and guided by the PCN and the clinical team lead. You will be supported to work autonomously, having day to day responsibility for your clinics and workload. Primary Care experience is not essential; however, a good understanding of how Primary Care works would be beneficial.

Details

Date posted

07 May 2025

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

346-NYA-059-25-A

Job locations

Haxby Group Scarborough

Lawrence House, 1 Belgrave Cres

Scarborough

YO11 1UB

Job responsibilities

This is a new, exciting and innovative post to support the needs of the local population living with mental health difficulties. The role holder will fulfil a first contact specialist mental health role within GP Practices across the Primary Care Network (PCN), seeing patients who would otherwise have traditionally seen a GP. Within the primary care setting, the role holder will work in a collaborative and multi-agency way. This will contribute to the safe and effective day to day operation of the PCN and the efficient and timely management of clinical enquiries and decision-making.

The post will sit within the GP Practices and will facilitate the interface between Primary Care and Secondary Mental Health Services to provide specialist advice and support, assessment, treatment, education and solution-focused approaches to the local Primary Care Teams, for patients and carers.

The role will offer expertise in networking and navigation to promote ease of access to a range of specialist mental health support services. This ensures that each person, once assessed, receives the best possible care in the right place at the right time and by the right supporting service.

The post holder will be an effective member of the multi-disciplinary team. They will be professionally accountable and responsible for patient care, undertaking initial assessment with signposting to appropriate services, or providing time-limited psycho-social therapeutic interventions directly, in . GP surgeries, patients homes and other primary care settings. This will include providing clinical advice to GPs such as specialist opinion.

The post holder will manage their daily clinics and act as a specialist advisor to GPs, fulfilling a pathway management function and providing short term interventions and support, in collaboration with GPs and other practice based mental health workers.

You will support the establishment of partnerships and networks with key stakeholders across the PCN and the wider mental health care system. You will offer advice to, or obtain advice for, the Primary Care Team on appropriate interventions and on-going patient care management.

You will develop links and foster a culture of partnership between Primary Care Teams and Mental Health Services, promoting clear communication and access to specialist knowledge and advice. This will include the facilitation of joint working with PCN, Secondary Care providers, and Voluntary Care Sector to increase the range of services/interventions available to the communities served.

You will provide clinical advice, consultation, and support to other care providers within primary, secondary, voluntary and statutory services as required.

You will collate and organise contemporaneous information about opportunities and resources in the local area which may be of benefit to patients referred to the service (. voluntary and community organisations, educational and recreational opportunities).

The role includes facilitating sign posting to other appropriate services and undertaking very short-term interventions for patients with mild to moderate mental health difficulties (average length of time expected to be 6 weeks). Working alongside the PCN staff which could include a care coordination team and a social prescribing link worker.

You will work closely with the Primary Care Network, GPs and Social Prescribers/other practice-based mental health workers within the locality regarding the mental health needs of the practice population.

In line with the principles for community transformation, you will ensure systems/pathways are in place to enable smooth transition between primary care and secondary mental health services.

Due to the nature of the role it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes. If necessary, adjustments can be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Current professional registration with appropriate body in healthcare or social work.

Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.

Certificate in mentorship, teaching & assessing in clinical practice as appropriate to own profession.

If appropriate to professional registration, recognised sign-off mentor (or equivalent) for students or must be achieved within agreed timescale.

Clinical Supervisor.

Key skills in literacy, numeracy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)

Desirable

If appropriate to professional registration, NMP (or willing to obtain)

Leadership or management qualification

Post-graduate qualification in a relevant area

Experience

Essential

Significant experience working with people with mental ill health in a community setting.

18 months post qualifying experience including sign off of appropriate preceptorship or competency framework

Working collaboratively with service users and their families/carers.

Providing clinical supervision

Mentoring students on practice placement experience

Working in a multi-disciplinary team

Experience and involvement with quality improvement activities

Desirable

Experience working in primary care.

Experience working in a multiagency setting.

Leadership or management experience

Knowledge

Essential

Demonstrable knowledge to post- graduate level of evidence-based practice in caring for patients in the designated field.

Knowledge of Stepped Care model.

Understanding of relevant legislation (. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act).

Care Programme Approach and its application in practice.

Detailed understanding of Safeguarding and its application in practice.

Clinical Risk Assessment and Management and its application in practice.

Clinical Governance and its application in practice

Understanding of psychological models of care and treatment

Demonstrable knowledge and experience of delivering psycho- social interventions and approaches

Contemporaneous knowledge of recent health and social care policy and guidance on implications for practice

Skills

Essential

Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to patients, carers/families and all members of the multidisciplinary team.

Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and undertake lead professional responsibilities.

Work effectively across complex organisations, pathways and services.

Provide effective clinical supervision, teaching, training and assessing in clinical practice.

Write reports.

Use multimedia materials for presentations in professional settings.

Use approved breakaway techniques (within agreed timescale).

Personal Attributes

Essential

Able to work in accordance with the Staff Compact and Trust Values and Behaviours.

Compassionate in meeting the needs of vulnerable people and their families and carers.

Able to engage with vulnerable people and work effectively in distressing and challenging circumstances.

Able to work flexibly and co-operatively as part of a team.

Able to use own initiative and make decisions independently.

Committed to continual quality and service improvement

Self-aware and committed to professional and personal development.

Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities.

Committed to promoting a positive image of the service.

Other Requirements

Essential

Ability to travel independently in accordance with Trust policies and service need.

This post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Baring Service check.