Mental Health Practitioner

NHS; Leeds; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is recruiting a Band 5/6 Mental Health Practitioner for their secure children's home in Leeds. This role offers a unique opportunity to deliver therapeutic assessment and support to vulnerable young people aged 10-18. You will work within a multidisciplinary team, manage complex cases, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will have relevant professional registration and experience in a secure or specialist environment.

Qualifications

• Professional registration for a Band 6 practitioner required.
• Substantial experience in a secure or specialist CAMHS setting.
• Ability to assess, plan and evaluate treatment for complex cases.

Responsibilities

• Provide therapeutic assessment and 1:1 support for young people aged 10-18.
• Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and participate in audits.

Skills

Therapeutic assessment

Risk management

Trauma-informed support

Supervising junior staff

Excellent communication

Electronic patient record systems

Education

Professional registration (HCPC, NMC, SWC)

Relevant professional qualification (e.g., nursing, psychology)

Job description

Mental Health Practitioner – Secure CAMHS

Closing date: 13 January 2026

We are recruiting a Band 5 or Band 6 Mental Health Practitioner for the secure children’s home Adel Beck. The role offers a unique opportunity to drive change for the most disenfranchised young people in the UK, working within a multidisciplinary team to deliver therapeutic assessment, risk management and trauma‑informed interventions.

Key responsibilities

• Provide therapeutic assessment, treatment and 1:1 trauma‑informed support to children and young people aged 10‑18.
• Work autonomously and collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team, offering clinical supervision and training to staff and external partners.
• Deliver routine and urgent assessment and interventions, including complex case management and safeguarding in line with NHS guidelines.
• Maintain accurate clinical records in approved IT systems (e.g., Rio, System One) and participate in clinical audit programmes.
• Support the secure on‑call rota, including weekend on‑call provision via telephone, video or face‑to‑face when clinically indicated.
• Champion user/carer involvement and promote a child‑centre and family‑centric culture of continuous improvement.

Essential qualifications and experience

• Professional registration for a Band 6 practitioner (HCPC, NMC, SWC). Band 5 practitioners must hold a relevant statutory registration.
• Substantial post‑qualification experience working with children, young people and carers in a secure or specialist CAMHS setting.
• Demonstrated ability to assess, plan and evaluate evidence‑based treatment and risk management for complex cases.
• Experience of supervising/mentoring junior staff and working effectively across multidisciplinary and inter‑agency teams.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance (e.g., Mental Health Act, Children Act, Working Together).
• Excellent communication, negotiation and record‑keeping skills, with proficiency in electronic patient record systems.

Person specification – Band 6

• Clinical knowledge and skills in mental health practice and evidence‑based interventions.
• Capacity to manage own caseload and conduct risk assessment for young people at suicidal risk.
• Commitment to safeguarding, child protection and service user/carer involvement.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work autonomously and collaboratively.
• Willingness to undertake clinical audit, clinical supervision and continuing professional development.

Person specification – Band 5

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g., nursing, psychology, occupational therapy).
• Experience in a secure or specialist CAMHS environment.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team and provide evidence‑based support to young people.
• Strong communication and organisation skills.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.

EEO statement

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups. We value diversity and aim for a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Additional information

• Respectfully safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
• Urgent and flexible working – 12‑hour shift pattern with the possibility of on‑call weekend provision.
• Salary: £31,049 to £46,580 a year (Band 5‑6 dependent on experience).
• Position is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.