Mental Health Practitioner – Mental Health Nurse or Social Worker

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

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Essex is seeking a Mental Health Practitioner (Nurse or Social Worker) to support high-risk adults with suspected personality disorders. You will conduct face-to-face assessments, provide low-intensity mental health support, and work collaboratively with Mental Health In-Reach teams. This role offers competitive pay ranging from £38,682 to £46,580 per annum pro rata and a comprehensive benefits package including flexible working and a relocation package.

Benefits

27 days holiday plus bank holidays

Excellent pension up to 14.5%

Staff discounts

Interest-free season ticket loans

£8K relocation package

Qualifications

• Professional qualification in Social Work or Mental Health Nursing required.
• Training in psychology or personality disorders preferred.
• Experience working with offenders or in community mental health.

Responsibilities

• Provide face‑to‑face assessments for service users with mental health needs.
• Provide low‑intensity mental health interventions including psycho‑education.
• Liaise with Mental Health In‑Reach teams and coordinate community integration.

Skills

Knowledge of Psychosocial interventions

Knowledge of relevant legislation

Evidence of continuing professional development

Education

Qualification as a registered CPN or Social Worker

Post‑qualification training in psychology or related area

Job description

Mental Health Practitioner – Mental Health Nurse or Social Worker

The closing date is 14 December 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a mental health practitioner to support our Essex Intensive Intervention and Risk Management Service (IIRMS) known locally as the RAISE. This is a community based service for high‑risk adult men and women who have committed offences and have a suspected or diagnosed personality disorder. The service is a partnership between Essex Partnership University Trust (EPUT) and the National Probation Service (NPS).

The post holder will also work into and support the delivery of our CORE service, which includes supporting the education and training of Probation Practitioners and developing formulations to support Probation Practitioners working with individuals on the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) pathway.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will have a professional qualification in Social Work or Mental Health Nursing and will provide specialist community input to the IIRMS service utilizing their skills, abilities and experiences. They will support the service to reduce rates of re‑offending and integrate men and women released from prison back into the community.

The successful applicant will provide face‑to‑face assessments for service users who may have primary or secondary mental‑health needs in addition to an offending history. They will also provide low‑intensity mental‑health support and evidence‑based interventions including psycho‑education.

The post holder will liaise with other teams such as Mental Health In‑Reach teams in local prisons and will do intensive outreach community work where appropriate; this may include coordinating and assisting with integration into the community with close liaison of other services.

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental‑health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff’s hard work and dedication.
• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
• Season ticket loans are interest‑free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for a detailed list of responsibilities.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

• Qualification as a registered CPN or Social Worker.
• Post‑qualification training in a related subject area eg. training in psychology, personality disorder or working with offenders.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Psychosocial interventions
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and its implications for clinical practice in relation to the client group and mental health.
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Knowledge of medication and the monitoring of its effects
• Knowledge and understanding of the basics of the theory and practice of psychological interventions in a relevant area.

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.

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

£38,682 to £46,580 per annum pro rata