Senior Mental Health Practitioner

NHS; Norwich; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health organization is seeking Senior Crisis Care Practitioners to support their helpline in Norwich. This role involves answering calls, conducting assessments, and providing crisis intervention. Candidates should be registered mental health professionals, with excellent communication skills and the ability to work well under pressure. The position offers flexible working patterns and the chance to develop management skills within a supportive environment. Join a dedicated team committed to mental health support in Norfolk.

Qualifications

• Registered with relevant professional registration.
• Demonstrated knowledge of mental health practice.
• Experience in risk assessment and management.

Responsibilities

• Answer calls and triage assessments over the phone.
• Provide support during crisis situations.
• Document calls and create safety plans.

Skills

Excellent communication and engagement skills

Effective analytical and decision-making skills

Conflict resolution and Breakaway training

Ability to prioritize own workload

Education

Registered Mental Health or Learning Disability Nurse

Ongoing professional development towards degree level

Job description

Job summary

Are you looking for a challenging, rewarding opportunity? The Norfolk 111 Mental Health Option Team (formerly known as First Response Service) is developing and growing. We are recruiting Band 6 Senior Crisis Care Practitioners to support our helpline from our Norwich base.

The Norfolk 111 Mental Health Option Team is a helpline for people of all ages in Norfolk who need urgent mental health support. Our dedicated helpline is available 24 hours a day, every day and we are looking for dedicated caring, compassionate individuals to join the team. The Norfolk 111 Mental Health Option service provides a 24/7 crisis telephone line, giving support, advice and assessment in a compassionate, patient and recovery focused way.

You’ll be joining a team with experience gained from a range of different settings, working in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Our shifts are typically 7am – 7pm, 8am – 8pm, 1pm – 1am and 8pm – 8am.

We are committed to developing people professionally and are keen to support individuals who are looking to take their first step into a more senior role. This is an opportunity to grow your management skills, take on responsibilities and help us shape and grow our service. No two days will be the same, but they will include elements of working within an MDT team, providing telephone triage assessments and supporting and guiding service users through crisis in our contact centre based at Weavers Centre, Hellesdon Hospital.

Main duties of the job

As part of the move to the crisis pathway, there is potential for movement between 111 Mental Health Option, Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team and Mental Health Liaison Team at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

As a Senior Crisis Care Practitioner you can expect to be:

• Answering calls from Service Users and professionals
• Triaging and assessing over the phone
• Safety Planning
• Documentation of the above including referrals, notes and referrals to other teams
• Liaison with other professionals and teams
• On occasion, creating formulations and plans for our regular callers
• Taking lead/champion subjects such as Learning Disability, Youth, Drug & Alcohol, Perinatal, etc. (Within that is opportunity for training, sharing knowledge with the team, attending conferences or meetings)
• Shadowing other teams where appropriate/possible
• Brief intervention over the phone where appropriate
• Quality Improvement

You will also have the opportunity to co‑coordinate shifts, provide clinical oversight and support to practitioners, supporting with teaching and training opportunities, leading on staff development and being a visible role model that echoes the values of the trust and the vision of the service.

When you join us, you can expect a robust training and induction package with ongoing support. You will have a supernumerary period and an allocated mentor to train and support you.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered Mental Health or Learning Disability Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Social Worker with the relevant professional registration
• Ongoing professional development working towards degree level (if professional registration is following a diploma level course)

Desirable qualifications

• Recognised Leadership/Management training
• Higher degree or postgraduate certificate in area of clinical / therapeutic practice

Experience

• Demonstrate an appropriate level of knowledge of mental health practice from previous experience
• Demonstrate effective risk assessment and risk management experience

Desirable experience

• Experience in delivering group based interventions
• Experience working in the specific area

Skills

• Excellent communication and engagement skills
• Conflict resolution and Breakaway training (or requirement to undertake within first 12 weeks)
• Effective analytical and decision‑making skills
• Able to effectively prioritise own workload

Desirable skills

• Ability to time manage and reflect on clinical practice
• Prevention and Management of Suicide training

Knowledge

• The ability to use clinical assessment tools and outcome measures effectively and collaboratively
• Have the ability to discuss, identify and elevate safeguarding issues in a sensitive way to protect those who are vulnerable

Desirable knowledge

• Developing knowledge of local wider systems and networks
• Knowledge of medication and the monitoring of its effects

Other Essential

• Ability and willingness to travel independently to meet the needs and requirements of the service

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust

Hellesdon Hospital Weavers centre NR6 5BE, Norwich, NR6 5BE

Employer website: https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

Job details

Reference number: 246-CEN7637841

Band: Band 6

Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 a year Gross per annum / pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time, Part‑time, Flexible working

Job location: Hellesdon Hospital Weavers centre NR6 5BE, Norwich

Date posted: 22 December 2025