Senior Mental Health Practitioner - Children & Young People

Devon Partnership Nhs Trust; Exeter; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health organization in the UK seeks a Band 6 Senior Mental Health Practitioner to support young people facing mental health challenges. This role involves conducting assessments, developing care plans, and providing therapeutic interventions in a multi-disciplinary team. Ideal candidates will possess a relevant mental health qualification and a passion for helping children and families. High-quality support and a collaborative environment are key aspects of this role.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering evidence-based interventions for mental health.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and risk management.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team.

Responsibilities

• Conduct specialist mental health assessments for young people.
• Develop tailored care plans based on individual needs.
• Provide individual and group-based therapeutic interventions.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure coordinated care.
• Support and supervise junior staff and trainees.

Skills

Clinical assessment

CBT techniques

DBT-informed approaches

Collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams

Supervision and training

Education

Relevant professional qualification in mental health

Job description

Overview

We are recruiting a Band 6 Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join the Exeter and East Devon Mood, Emotions, and Relationships Pathway within Children and Family Health Devon. This is a multi-disciplinary CAMHS team role supporting children and young people experiencing difficulties with their mental health, emotions, and relationships. You will provide specialist assessment, formulation, and intervention for young people with moderate to severe mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, and emotional dysregulation. You will deliver evidence-based, person-centred care to young people and their families/carers, working collaboratively within a team to provide early and effective intervention. The role involves working directly with young people, offering individual and group-based therapeutic interventions, supporting families and carers, and collaborating with partner agencies such as schools, social care, and other health professionals. The role also includes consultation, supervision, and training for junior staff, students, and partner agencies to support workforce development.

Responsibilities

• Conduct specialist mental health assessments using a strengths-based, person-centred approach to understand the unique needs of each young person.
• Develop and implement tailored care plans based on evidence-based interventions, including CBT, DBT-informed approaches, and systemic family work.
• Provide individual and group-based interventions for young people experiencing difficulties with mood, emotions, and relationships.
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, collaborating with psychologists, therapists, nurses, and social workers to ensure a coordinated approach to care.
• Offer consultation, training, and support to colleagues, families, and partner agencies, contributing to a shared understanding of young people\'s mental health needs.
• Support junior staff and trainees, providing supervision and guidance to enhance their professional development.
• Ensure safeguarding and risk management procedures are followed, promoting the safety and well-being of children and young people.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to service development through audit, evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives.

Additional information

This role is ideal for a motivated and compassionate professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and is passionate about delivering high-quality mental health support for children, young people, and families.

Successful applicants will be employed by Devon Partnership Trust. CFHD comprises an Alliance of NHS organisations working to improve health outcomes for children and young people in Devon. CFHD provides integrated care and treatment across physical and mental health and works with local universities to support clinical training placements and postgraduate training for staff.

Our children and young people say: we would like staff to be understanding, patient, respectful, trustworthy, and to make us feel safe and comfortable. Staff should listen carefully in a non-patronising and non-judgemental way. When staff are positive and friendly, they help create an informal environment without pressure. Our vision is to be a successful, vibrant partnership that benefits the communities we serve.