Mental Health Practitioner

Norfolk And Suffolk Nhs Foundation Trust; West Stow; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced mental health practitioner to support children, young people and families known to Suffolk Youth Justice. The base can be West Suffolk House (Bury St Edmunds) or Constantine House (Ipswich) depending on candidate preference.

The role involves consultation, direct work, and training within the West/East Suffolk Youth Justice team, with time-limited interventions (up to 12 weeks) and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Registered professional with relevant registration (MHN/LDN, OT or Social Worker).
• Ongoing professional development towards degree level.
• Recognised Leadership/Management training.
• Demonstrate effective risk assessment and risk management experience.
• Experience in the delivery of clinical interventions.
• Experience of interagency working.
• Knowledge of NICE guidelines and Mental Health Act.
• Up to date knowledge of legal and ethical frameworks including Mental Health Act.
• Knowledge of medication and its monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Provide consultation to SYJS practitioners where mental health concerns are identified for children and young people open to the service.
• Provide advice and guidance to the SYJS practitioner for working with a young person presenting with emotional wellbeing or mental health needs.
• Undertaking direct assessments with children, young people and their families and determining appropriate treatment response plans (up to 12 weeks) or onward referral as needed.
• Support the SYJS team through the provision of training and development opportunities.

Skills

MHN Registration

OT Registration

Social Work Registration

Risk assessment

Clinical interventions

Interagency working

Leadership training

Education

Degree-level study ongoing

Leadership/Management training

Job description

Mental Health Practitioner

Closing date is 24 September 2026.

Job summary

Are you an experienced mental health practitioner looking for a new challenge? If so, we would love for you to join us in supporting children, young people and families known to Suffolk Youth Justice!

The base for this role can be either West Suffolk House (Bury St Edmunds) or Constantine House (Ipswich) depending on candidate preference.

Children involved in the Justice system have often experienced life events and circumstances which detrimentally affect their mental health; the prevalence of mental health need amongst Justice involved children tends to be higher than the general population, and early intervention is key. We are seeking a pro‑active, passionate and experienced mental health practitioner to work within the West/East Suffolk Youth Justice team, to provide consultation, training and direct work to meet this need.

If you have the drive to provide excellent care, can demonstrate high quality clinical skills and are willing to go the extra mile to help make a difference to young people's lives then we would love to hear from you.

• Providing consultation to SYJS practitioners where mental health concerns are identified for children and young people open to the service. Consider young peoples' presenting mental health needs and the most suitable response.
• Provide advice and guidance to the SYJS practitioner for working with a young person presenting with emotional wellbeing or mental health needs.
• Undertaking direct assessments with children, young people and their families. Determining appropriate treatment response plans, whether that be a time-limited intervention the post holder delivers (typically limited to 12 weeks) or consider the most suitable onwards service to meet the young person's needs
• Supporting the SYJS team through the provision of training and development opportunities.

Key Service Aims

• To ensure that vulnerable children aged 0-18 years experiencing emotional or mental health problems have access to timely, integrated, high quality, support from a mental health professional and/or access to suitable referral pathways to specialist mental health assessment, treatment and support for them and their families.
• Assessment for those with mild-moderate mental health difficulties based upon an outline of concerns identified by Suffolk Youth Justice Service practitioner and in collaboration with the young person and their family/carer network.

About us

At Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, inclusion is at the heart of how we work. We are committed to creating a fair, transparent and accessible recruitment process where every candidate has the opportunity to succeed.

We actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, particularly those currently underrepresented in our workforce. We recognise that not everyone has equal access to opportunities and are working to address this.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and ensuring all candidates receive a positive and equitable experience.

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us?

We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Details

Date posted: 09 September 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 6

Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time

Reference number: 246-ESU8114814-B

Job locations: West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3YU, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing their experiences and learning from each other and are looking forward to welcoming you!

Please find attached our Job Description and Person Specification for more detail on your Key Accountabilities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Mental Health or Learning Disability Nurse, Occupational Therapist OR Social Worker with the relevant professional registration
• Ongoing professional development working towards degree level ( if professional registration is following a diploma level course)
• Recognised Leadership/Management training
• Demonstrate effective risk assessment and risk management experience
• Experience in the delivery of clinical interventions
• Experience of interagency working
• An understanding of the policies and guidelines both local and national e.g. National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines (Government initiative)
• Up to date knowledge of legal and ethical frameworks including Mental Health Act.
• Knowledge of medication and the monitoring of its effects

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust

Address: West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3YU, United Kingdom

Employer's website: https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

Employer contact details

• Operational Manager
• Agi Huszcza
• [e-mail]
• 07956839291