Mental Health Practitioner - Urgent Care

NHS; Barnstaple; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Children and Family Health Devon is seeking a Band 5 Mental Health Practitioner for its Crisis Service. This role involves providing rapid assessments and interventions for children experiencing acute emotional distress, working within a supportive, multi-disciplinary team. Successful candidates will have a degree-level qualification and relevant registration, with opportunities for career progression and further training.

Qualifications

• Degree in Nursing, Social Work, or Occupational Therapy.
• Registered with NMC, HCPC, or Social Work England.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide rapid mental health assessment and brief intervention.
• Manage risk and evaluate mental health presentations.
• Work flexibly across clinical, community, and home-based settings.

Skills

Mental health assessment

Crisis intervention

Collaborative care

Education

Professional qualification at degree level

Registration with a recognized body (e.g., NMC, HCPC)

Job description

Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) is excited to advertise for a Band 5 Mental Health Practitioner to join our Crisis Service, part of the Urgent Care Pathway.

The Crisis Service provides rapid mental health assessment and brief intervention for children and young people experiencing acute emotional distress. We work to reduce risk, prevent hospital admissions, and support young people to stay safely in their communities, offering trauma-informed, collaborative care at a time of greatest need.

The service operates 8am to 10pm, seven days a week, with flexible rota-based working to support timely and responsive care.

Main duties of the job

1. A welcoming, multi-disciplinary team environment
2. Regular supervision and development opportunities
3. A chance to build specialist skills in youth crisis care and trauma-informed practice
4. Opportunities for career progression and further training within CFHD

If you are a newly qualified or experienced mental health practitioner looking to make a real difference during times of crisis, we'd love to hear from you.

About us

Successful applicants will be employed by Devon Partnership Trust (https://jobs.dpt.nhs.uk/locations/working-here)

Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) comprises an alliance of NHS organisations working together to improve health outcomes for children and young people in Devon.

CFHD provides integrated care and treatment for children and young people across physical and mental health, provided by Torbay and South Devon Foundation Trust and Devon Partnership Trust. We work closely with other organisations and providers to ensure locality and county-wide access to all our services, based on the i-Thrive Framework.

CFHD collaborates with local universities of Plymouth, Exeter & the Peninsula Medical School to support students in clinical training placements and staff in postgraduate training.

Our care and treatment models are developed in partnership with children, young people, and their families/carers.

We value understanding, patience, and respect in our staff. They should be trustworthy and foster a safe, comfortable environment. Using their skills and experience, staff should listen carefully in a non-patronising, non-judgemental manner. A positive, friendly attitude helps create an informal, pressure-free environment.

Job responsibilities

Full vacancy details are available in the attached Job Description/Person Specification. Please ensure your supporting information demonstrates your suitability based on these requirements.

Our approach is rooted in evidence-based practices and regular outcome assessments. We emphasize a strength-based methodology, promoting collaborative work with children and young people. The role involves managing risk and evaluating mental health presentations in community settings, responding to urgent and routine needs, whether planned or unforeseen. Flexibility to work across clinical, community, and home-based settings is essential to meet each child's specific needs.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• A professional qualification at degree level or equivalent (e.g., Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy)
• Registration/accreditation with a recognized body (e.g., NMC, HCPC, Social Work England)
• For newly qualified social workers, evidence of completing the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) before starting, or within the first 12 months of employment
• Evidence of relevant continuing professional development

Experience

• Postgraduate experience in mental health settings or willingness to complete the DPT preceptorship program
• Experience managing a caseload of clients with diverse mental health issues
• Sound theoretical knowledge of children and young people's mental health practice
• Experience working in community settings within statutory or voluntary sectors
• Experience working in multidisciplinary and multi-agency environments

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This role requires a DBS check in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, to verify any criminal convictions.