Mental Health Practitioner

NHS; Barnstaple; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent mental health service provider in Barnstaple is seeking a Band 5 Mental Health Practitioner to work within the North Devon Crisis Resolution & Home Treatment Teams. The role involves delivering evidence-based mental health assessments, working as part of a multidisciplinary team, and contributing to a 24-hour community-based service. Ideal candidates will have a registered professional qualification in mental health and experience in mental health settings. This position offers a dynamic work environment with flexible hours.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Experience working in mental health settings.
• Ability to work autonomously in a complex environment.
• Commitment to recovery-oriented and trauma-informed practice.

Responsibilities

• Deliver evidence-based mental health assessments and interventions.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team for crisis support.
• Uphold Trust values and contribute to quality improvement initiatives.

Skills

Clinical assessment skills

Risk management skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Knowledge of safeguarding procedures

Organisational skills

Ability to work flexibly

Education

Registered professional qualification (e.g., RMN, Social Worker)

Job description

We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, highly motivated Band 5 Mental Health Practitioner to work within the North Devon Crisis Resolution & Home Treatment Teams Based at Wonford House.

The CRHTT is a pivotal, county-wide service whose main focus is to offer an alternative to inpatient admission and provide intensive treatment as required within the community. The service operates within locality-based leadership teams to ensure effective gatekeeping for all service users referred for hospital admission. Outreach is at the heart of the service, with most assessments taking place in non-hospital environments.

As an active member of the integrated multi-disciplinary team, the post holder will contribute to a 24-hour community-based Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Service, available across the county as an alternative to hospital admission. The role involves delivering rapid assessments and planning effective, evidence-based home treatment in collaboration with service users, carers, and professionals from both established services and locality teams.

Please note that it is essential that you have the ability to be mobile across the geographical area to meet the requirementsof this role.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver timely, evidence-based mental health assessments and interventions to individuals in acute distress or crisis.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide rapid response and short-term support in community settings.
• Formulate risk assessments and safety plans collaboratively with service users and carers.
• Liaise with internal and external services to ensure continuity of care and appropriate onward referrals.
• Provide clinical leadership and supervision to junior staff and support workers where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to service audits and quality improvement initiatives.
• Promote recovery-focused, trauma-informed, and person-centred approaches in all aspects of care.
• Participate in rota-based working, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays to ensure 24/7 service coverage.
• Uphold Trust values and contribute to a culture of compassion, inclusion, and excellence.

Under the direction and leadership of a Senior Mental Health Professional the team are responsible for:

• Develop, deliver and oversee treatment plans for clients open to the Crisis Resolution Team.
• Assess, manage and formulate clinical risk with each client.
• Offer crisis resolution as an alternative to hospital admission, available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year.
• Serve as the gatekeeper for inpatient hospital beds.
• Conduct initial in-person follow-up after hospital discharge.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification which will provide further information on this role.

Candidate Note: If you choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in completing your application, please ensure that all responses accurately represent your own experience, skills, and suitability for the role. It is essential that your application remains authentic and truthful. We also encourage you to review the guidance attached before submission.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Strong clinical assessment and risk management skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team with a complex caseload.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and relevant legislation (e.g. Mental Health Act, MCA).
• Commitment to recovery-oriented and trauma-informed practice.
• Ability to work flexibly across a 24/7 rota.
• Organisational skills and managing own time and workload.
• Knowledge of monitoring mental health medications and taking into consideration interactions with physical health needs.
• Experience of delivering evidence based interventions.
• Ability to work in a dynamic nature.
• Ability to provide well‑written reports.
• Excellent communication skills including the ability to engage with clients experiencing a wide range of mental health problems.
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of professionals from various settings.
• Ability to work flexibly.
• Ability to be mobile across a geographical area.
• Ability to manage change in a positive manner.

Desirable

• Familiarity with local services and pathways within the integrated care system.
• Leadership or supervisory experience.
• Understanding of Crisis and Home treatment Interventions; Understanding of recovery principles in Mental Health.
• Knowledge of Gatekeeping of inpatient admissions.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered professional qualification (e.g. RMN, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist) with current registration, practising with no restrictions.
• Evidence of relevant continuing professional development.

Desirable

• Training in psychosocial interventions (e.g. CBT, DBT‑informed approaches).
• Qualified in Phlebotomy.

Experience

Essential

• Experience working in mental health settings.
• Experience of working within inpatient or community settings.
• Experience of managing risk.
• Experience of working autonomously.

Desirable

• Experience in community-based teams.
• Experience of delivering crisis interventions.
• Experience of working within home treatment teams or crisis services.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address

North Devon District Hospital

Raleigh Park

Barnstaple

Devon

EX31 4JB

Employer's website

https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)