Mental Health Practitioner - Urgent Care

Devon Partnership NHS Trust; Torquay; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A health organization in Torquay is looking for a Band 5 Mental Health Practitioner to join the Crisis Service. The role involves conducting assessments for children experiencing emotional distress, providing evidence-based interventions, and collaborating with families and professionals. Applicants must hold a relevant degree and professional registration. This full-time position offers the opportunity to positively impact young people's mental health.

Qualifications

• Professional registration with a recognized body is required.
• Completion of the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) necessary within the first year.
• Evidence of relevant continuing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Conduct timely mental health assessments for children in crisis.
• Deliver interventions to reduce distress and risk.
• Work collaboratively to create effective care plans.

Skills

Mental health assessment

Collaboration with families and health professionals

Evidence-based intervention

Education

Professional qualification at degree level in Nursing, Social Work, or Occupational Therapy

Professional registration with NMC, HCPC, or Social Work England

Job description

NHS Graduate Management Trainee in HR - Devon Partnership Trust, Strategic Resourcing

Job Summary

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. This post is offered on a fixed-term basis (one year) and will be based in our South Devon & Torbay team.

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

• Undertake timely mental health assessments for children and young people presenting in crisis.
• Deliver short-term, evidence-based interventions to reduce distress and risk.
• Work collaboratively with families, schools, social care, and other health professionals to create safe and effective care plans.

About us

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 which are provided by Torbay and South Devon Foundation Trust and Devon Partnership Trust. We are working closely with other organisations and providers to ensure we deliver locality and county-wide based integrated access to all of our services, based on the i-Thrive Framework.

CFHD works closely with our local universities of Plymouth, Exeter & the Peninsula Medical School where we support students in clinical training placements and in addition support our own staff to undertake post graduate training.

Our integrated care and treatment has been developed and refined in partnership with children, young people and their families/carers.

We would like the people who work for Children and Family Health Devon to be understanding, patient and respectful. They should be trustworthy and make us feel safe and comfortable. It is important that they use their skills and experience to listen carefully in a non-patronising and non-judgemental way. When staff are positive and friendly, they help to create an environment that is informal and without pressure.

Job Responsibilities

Full Vacancy details can be found on the attached Job Description/Person Specification. Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification.

Our approach is rooted in evidence-based practices and regular outcome assessments. We emphasise a strength-based methodology, promoting collaborative work with people. This role centers on managing risk and evaluating mental health presentations in the community. You will be expected to respond to both urgent and routine needs, whether planned or unforeseen. Flexibility is key, as you will work across various clinical, community, and home-based settings to meet the specific requirements of each child.

Qualifications

• A professional qualification at degree level or equivalent e.g. Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy.
• Professional registration/accreditation with a recognised body, e.g. NMC, HCPC, Social Work England.
• Q3 It will be an essential requirement for newly qualified social workers to demonstrate that they have completed The Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) before commencing in post or there will be a requirement to complete this within the first 12 months of employment with the Trust.
• Evidence of relevant continuing professional development

Experience

• Post graduate experience working within mental health environments or willingness to complete the DPT preceptorship programme
• Experience managing a caseload of clients with a range of mental health problems
• Demonstrates sound theoretical knowledge of children and young people mental health practice
• Working within a community setting in either the statutory or voluntary sector.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Closing date

16 November 2025

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Health Care Provider

Industries

Hospitals and Health Care