Mental Health Practitioner

Devon Partnership Nhs Trust; Barnstaple; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health service provider in North Devon is seeking an enthusiastic Band 5 Mental Health Practitioner. The role involves delivering evidence-based mental health assessments and interventions within a community-focused crisis resolution service. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to quality care and possess skills in crisis intervention and team collaboration. Part-time and flexible working options are considered.

Qualifications

• Commitment to quality of care and improving the lives of others.
• Ability to uphold compassion, inclusion, and excellence in service delivery.
• Experience working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Deliver mental health assessments and interventions.
• Work with a multidisciplinary team to provide community support.
• Formulate risk assessments and safety plans.
• Ensure continuity of care with external services.
• Maintain accurate clinical records.

Skills

Mental health assessments

Crisis intervention

Team collaboration

Risk assessment

Clinical leadership

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 -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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

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.

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.