Mental Health Practitioner (Developmental Role)

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust; Fulbourn; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent health organization in Fulbourn is seeking a registered Band 5 Mental Health Practitioner. The role involves providing vital mental health services within the community through a Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team. Candidates should have a relevant degree and strong clinical, communication, and leadership skills. Opportunities for progression to a Band 6 position are available after meeting competencies. This position may require independent travel across the region.

Benefits

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Pension scheme

Salary sacrifice scheme

Professional leadership programs

Mindfulness training

Counseling service

Qualifications

• Experience working with patients with unstable conditions.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Dynamic approach to challenges.

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health services seven days a week.
• Conduct urgent response and psychosocial assessments.
• Collaborate with service users and families for treatment.

Skills

Clinical skills

Communication skills

Leadership skills

Team collaboration

Education

Relevant degree in mental health or social work

Job description

Overview

A Vacancy at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust. Are you a newly qualified Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Social worker who is keen to progress? Join the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team (CRHTT) based in Cambridge in a developmental post. We are looking to employ a registered Band 5 Mental Health Practitioner. Progression to a Band 6 post, once agreed objectives and competencies have been met, six months following completion of the preceptorship.

The Cambridge Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team provides 24/7 care to service users experiencing an acute mental health crisis, as an alternative to hospital admission. The team is accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (HTAS) and has a strong focus on delivering high quality care to service users and their friends and family.

Please note for this role you will be required to travel independently around the county meeting strict time deadlines. You will need to hold a full UK driving licence and have use of a vehicle. You cannot use public transport for this role as this is not a reliable form of transport and will not allow you to meet service needs. Please confirm in your application that you meet the specified criteria.

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health & social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health & wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting & empowering them to lead a fulfilling life. Our clinical teams deliver NHS services not only via inpatient and primary care settings but also within the community. These services include Children, Adult & Older Peoples mental & physical health, Forensic & Specialist mental health, Learning Disabilities, Primary Care & Liaison psychiatry, Substance misuse, Social care, Research & Development.

To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high calibre candidates that share our vision & values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people & members of our ethnic minorities & LGBTQ+ communities.

Responsibilities

• The post holder will work within the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team to provide a mental health service seven days a week, within a community setting, by providing an urgent response and/or psychosocial assessment to those who present with a range of mental health problems and who are in mental health crisis.
• Referral agencies include the First Response Service, in-patient facilities, psychiatric liaison service and other adult CPFT mental health services.
• To work in partnership with service users and carers to provide treatment within the least restrictive environment.
• To provide rapid response assessment to those at risk of being admitted to hospital and provide care, support and treatment within a community setting or facilitate admission to hospital and promote rapid discharge.
• To work completely within the Framework of the Care Programme Approach (CPA).
• To provide clinical risk and mental health assessment, formulation and short-term contingency planning for people presenting in mental health crisis.
• This is a developmental post. Following completion of the preceptorship period, objectives and competencies will be set to be achieved in the following 6 months. Successful completion will result in a Band 6 post.

Qualifications & Experience

• Have a relevant degree and previous experience of working with patients with unstable conditions.
• Have the expertise, passion and experience to make a real difference to caring for people.
• Experience of working as a member of a full multi-disciplinary team.
• Strong clinical and communication skills with vision and enthusiasm to develop mental health services.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• A dynamic approach with the ability to thrive on exciting challenges.
• The desire to develop their expertise.

Benefits

• Annual leave allowance 27 days plus bank holidays (depending on NHS service)
• Pension scheme
• Full-time/Part-time or job share opportunities
• Salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount scheme
• Professional leadership programs for experienced nurses through NHS Academy
• Stress awareness training
• Mindfulness training
• Counselling service

Application & Other Information

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities. The advert closes on Tuesday 16 Sep 2025.