Senior Community Mental Health Practitioner

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

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider is seeking a Band 6 Senior Mental Health Practitioner in Exeter. This role involves working in a multi-disciplinary team to deliver recovery-focused care for individuals with complex mental health needs. Candidates should possess a professional mental health qualification and substantial experience in similar settings. The position offers permanent full-time or part-time contracts with a salary range of £38,682 to £46,580 pro rata.

Qualifications

• Extensive post-registration experience in mental health settings.
• Experience managing a busy caseload independently.
• Ability to devise individual recovery plans for clients.

Responsibilities

• Collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team to develop care plans.
• Providing home treatment to avoid hospital admissions.
• Managing and directing care for clients with complex mental health needs.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to manage risk

Ability to work independently

Education

Professional mental health qualification (RMN, Social Work, RGN or OT)

Job description

Job summary

We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, highly motivated Band 6 Senior Mental Health Practitioner to work within the East & Mid Devon Home Treatment Team Based at Wonford House.

The primary roles and purpose of the team is to provide home treatment, avoiding hospital admission where possible and if admission is indicated, we work with clients throughout this time and endeavour to facilitate early discharge. We are very proud of the service we provide and are committed to providing high quality care to clients and their carers/families.

Main duties of the job

You will become part of a multi-disciplinary team creating care plans and strategies that deliver recovery-focused care for people with complex mental health needs. You will play a key role in a dynamic multidisciplinary team, working with multiple agencies on a daily basis. You will be confident working without supervision, with the knowledge to devise individual recovery plans for the people you see. Its important that you can communicate effectively, not only with your colleagues, but the people you care for, their families and carers. You will be at the centre of their care.

You will be passionate about making a difference to peoples lives. You will be responsible for managing and directing the care of some of the most vulnerable people we are responsible for, many of whom will have complex and ongoing needs. You will use your skills and experience to develop packages of treatment that focus on recovery. We call it inspiring hope together.

You will be an experienced mental health professional with a professional mental health qualification (RMN, RGN, Social Worker or OT). You will be currently registered with a professional body.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Details Date posted

24 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

C9369-25-0425

Job locations

Wonford House Hospital

Dryden Road

Exeter

EX2 5AF

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification which will provide further information on this role

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification which will provide further information on this role

Person Specification Experience Essential

• Extensive post registration experience working at band 5 in both inpatient and/or community settings within a mental health and/or learning disabilities setting.
• Evidence of acting as Shift Co-ordinator on a regular basis.
• Substantial experience of managing/leading a busy caseload of clients with a range of mental health conditions within a community setting and without supervision.
• Experience of leading on completion of biopsychosocial assessments with people with mental health needs.
• Experience of working with urgent mental health care pathways.
• Experience of working with and managing individuals who are in crisis.
• Experience of clinically supervising junior and unqualified staff and mentoring students.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment.

Desirable

• Participation in user involvement in services.
• Experience in deputising for more senior staff.
• Evidence of following through specific pieces of work or projects as delegated by managers or others.

Knowledge and Skills Essential

• An understanding of Local Mental Health Care Pathways / Mental Health Act / Mental Health Capacity Act & DOLS requirements.
• Willing to engage in completion of a competency framework to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Specialist knowledge and experience of acute mental health issues within working age and Older adults.

Desirable

• Awareness of community structures and social care management responsibilities.
• Understanding of recovery principles in Mental Health.

Skills and Abilities Essential

• Excellent communication skills including the ability to engage with clients experiencing a wide range of mental health problems.
• Able to produce well written reports.
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of professionals from various settings.
• Ability to think and work independently/autonomously and with complex case load.
• Able to solve own problems and get involved in the solutions.
• Ability to manage risk.
• Able to plan creatively to maximise effectiveness of care plans.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage own time and that of the teams.
• Ability to work flexibly.
• Ability to be mobile across a large geographical area to meet the requirements of the role.
• Computer literacy.
• Excellent clinical assessment skills.
• Ability to manage change in a positive manner.

Qualifications Essential

• A professional mental health qualification (RMN, Social Work, RGN or OT), on the appropriate professional body register and hold current registration with no restrictions.
• Evidence of relevant continuing professional development.
• Mentoring students in line with professional requirements.

Desirable

• Clinical Supervision qualification.
• Training to level 3 in Safeguarding children and young people as a minimum
• Evidence of leadership/management training within a core service.
• Post graduate qualification relevant to specialism.
• IT Skills.

Person Specification Experience Essential

• Extensive post registration experience working at band 5 in both inpatient and/or community settings within a mental health and/or learning disabilities setting.
• Evidence of acting as Shift Co-ordinator on a regular basis.
• Substantial experience of managing/leading a busy caseload of clients with a range of mental health conditions within a community setting and without supervision.
• Experience of leading on completion of biopsychosocial assessments with people with mental health needs.
• Experience of working with urgent mental health care pathways.
• Experience of working with and managing individuals who are in crisis.
• Experience of clinically supervising junior and unqualified staff and mentoring students.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment.

Desirable

• Participation in user involvement in services.
• Experience in deputising for more senior staff.
• Evidence of following through specific pieces of work or projects as delegated by managers or others.

Knowledge and Skills Essential

• An understanding of Local Mental Health Care Pathways / Mental Health Act / Mental Health Capacity Act & DOLS requirements.
• Willing to engage in completion of a competency framework to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Specialist knowledge and experience of acute mental health issues within working age and Older adults.

Desirable

• Awareness of community structures and social care management responsibilities.
• Understanding of recovery principles in Mental Health.

Skills and Abilities Essential

• Excellent communication skills including the ability to engage with clients experiencing a wide range of mental health problems.
• Able to produce well written reports.
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of professionals from various settings.
• Ability to think and work independently/autonomously and with complex case load.
• Able to solve own problems and get involved in the solutions.
• Ability to manage risk.
• Able to plan creatively to maximise effectiveness of care plans.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage own time and that of the teams.
• Ability to work flexibly.
• Ability to be mobile across a large geographical area to meet the requirements of the role.
• Computer literacy.
• Excellent clinical assessment skills.
• Ability to manage change in a positive manner.

Qualifications Essential

• A professional mental health qualification (RMN, Social Work, RGN or OT), on the appropriate professional body register and hold current registration with no restrictions.
• Evidence of relevant continuing professional development.
• Mentoring students in line with professional requirements.

Desirable

• Clinical Supervision qualification.
• Training to level 3 in Safeguarding children and young people as a minimum
• Evidence of leadership/management training within a core service.
• Post graduate qualification relevant to specialism.
• IT Skills.

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).

Additional information 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).

Employer details Employer name

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Wonford House Hospital

Dryden Road

Exeter

EX2 5AF

Employer's website

https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Wonford House Hospital

Dryden Road

Exeter

EX2 5AF

Employer's website

https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)