Mental Health Practitioner

NHS; Manchester; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Manchester is seeking a dedicated Mental Health Practitioner to support young people facing emotional and behavioral challenges. This role involves managing a caseload, conducting assessments, and employing evidence-based practices to ensure young people receive optimal care. Candidates should have recognized qualifications in mental health and experience working in CAMHS. The position includes a competitive salary of £38,682 to £46,580 annually, with opportunities for professional development in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Recognised qualification in mental health nursing, social work, or occupational therapy.
• Experience in Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
• Ability to manage own caseload effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage a defined caseload and ensure effective communication with all stakeholders.
• Develop intervention plans in collaboration with children and their carers.
• Promote a patient-centered environment and work within a multi-disciplinary team.

Skills

Up-to-date knowledge of child mental health

Ability to work independently

Demonstrable therapeutic skills

IT competence

Education

Registered Nursing (RMN/RSCN)

Qualifications in psychological therapies (CBT / SFT / IPT)

Mentorship course ENB998 or equivalent

Job description

Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 21 January 2026

This is a brilliant opportunity for a dedicated healthcare professional to promote and improve the mental health and well‑being of young people and those who care for them. Working for MFT CAMHS, you will work with children and young people aged up to 18 years who present with a wide range of complex emotional and behavioural difficulties. You will be supported to manage a defined caseload and have responsibility for the assessment, treatment and discharge of young people, ensuring effective and sensitive communication between the children and young people in your care, their carers, the health professionals you work with and other relevant agencies.

MFT CAMHS sits within Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH) and is comprised of 44 separate services, including five Core CAMHS services (North, South, Salford, Central & Trafford), Looked After Children/Adoption services, Children with Disabilities Service and Manchester Eating Disorders Service, along with inpatient services based at Galaxy House. Wherever your interests lie, we will support you to develop your skills to become an expert in your field.

Main duties of the job

• Maintain current NMC, HCPC or SWE registration alongside a recognised qualification; demonstrate working knowledge of CAMHS and/or adult mental health, including assessment of complex mental health needs and levels of risk, safeguarding and self‑harm.
• Use your experience of working with vulnerable people and their carers, who present with complex mental health needs and risk, to undertake assessments and formulate intervention plans in collaboration with the child, young person and their carers.
• Promote a patient‑centred environment and nurture good working relationships as part of a wider multi‑disciplinary team, ensuring care coordination with the internal and external departments you work with to provide the best possible patient journey.
• Apply evidence‑based practice to offer therapeutic solutions in line with NICE guidelines.

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000‑plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester is the largest health academic campus in Europe, where we are forward‑thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation and continuous improvement.

Whether you are beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working—empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients.

You will be part of a collaborative, multi‑disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge and deliver care that transforms lives.

At MFT, everyone is respected, supported and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.

Job responsibilities

For detailed requirements and key responsibilities, please review the Job Description and Person Specification documents attached. The Candidate Essentials Guide, which sits with the Job Description and Person Specification, provides information about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. It is important you read this before submitting an application.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we are committed to fairness, transparency and personal integrity. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar or formatting, we expect that the content of your application—especially personal statements and responses to role‑specific questions—be written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce. All individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Recognised qualification: Registered Nursing (RMN/RSCN), RNMH Social Work (CQSW/DipSW), Occupational Therapy (other relevant accreditable qualification).
• Qualifications in psychological therapies (CBT / SFT / IPT).
• Mentorship course ENB998 or equivalent.

Experience

• Proven experience of working effectively with people with mental health difficulties.
• Experience of assessing and managing risk, including safeguarding.
• Experience of providing evidence‑based assessments, formulations and care plans.
• Experience of liaison and working with a range of other relevant agencies and professionals.
• Experience of autonomously managing a caseload within a service.
• Experience of mentoring and supervision of others.
• Understanding of the principles of Clinical Governance.
• Experience of working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
• Experience of providing interventions for children and young people with mental health problems and their families.
• Community mental health experience.

Skills

• Up‑to‑date knowledge of child mental health and relevant legislation.
• Understanding of evidence‑based practice and ability to demonstrate how it influences clinical practice.
• Ability to assess, formulate and manage care appropriately, ensuring timely discharge.
• Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own practice.
• Ability to manage own caseload and act as lead practitioner.
• Ability to manage and organise own time and diary.
• Ability to follow policy and make proposals for change.
• Ability to work independently with the support of clinical and management supervision.
• Experience of delivering training.
• Demonstrable therapeutic skills.
• IT competence.
• Knowledge and understanding of the research process.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and, as such, a disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) will be required to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per Annum (Pro Rata)