Senior Mental Health Practitioner - Children & Young People

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

Job summary

A health service organisation in Exeter is seeking a Band 6 Senior Mental Health Practitioner to provide specialist assessments and interventions for children facing mental health challenges. The role involves working within a multidisciplinary team, delivering tailored therapeutic care, and ensuring professional development through supervision. Ideal candidates will have a professional qualification and substantial experience in mental health practices.

Benefits

Regular clinical supervision

Training opportunities

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Essential: Substantial experience managing mental health cases with children/young people.
• Essential: Experience in a multidisciplinary and multi-agency environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct specialist mental health assessments with a person-centred approach.
• Develop and implement tailored care plans based on evidence-based interventions.

Skills

Specialist assessment

Evidence-based interventions

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Clinical supervision

Education

Professional qualification at degree level

Professional registration with a recognised body

Job description

Overview

We are excited to be recruiting a Band 6 Senior Mental Health Practitioners to join our Exeter and East Devon Mood, Emotions, and Relationships Pathway within Children and Family Health Devon. This is a multidisciplinary CAMHS team 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, delivering evidence-based, person-centred care to young people and their families/carers.

You will work directly with young people, offering individual and group-based therapeutic interventions, support families and carers, and collaborate with partner agencies such as schools, social care, and other health professionals. You will provide consultation, supervision, and training to junior staff, students, and partner agencies to support workforce development.

We offer:

• Regular clinical supervision and peer support to ensure ongoing professional development.
• A supportive, inclusive team environment that values collaboration and innovation.
• Training opportunities to enhance your skills and career progression.

Main duties

• 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.

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.

About us

Successful applicants will be employed by Devon Partnership Trust. The organisation is part of Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD).

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 across physical and mental health and works with local universities to support clinical training placements and staff postgraduate training.

Details

Date posted: 04 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 6

Salary: £38,638 to £46,581 a year

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 9 months

Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number: C9369-25-0736

Job location: Evergreen, Victoria Park Road, Exeter, EX2 4NU

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.

Information regarding the Managing Mood, Emotions and Relationships Pathway:

In this pathway, Senior Mental Health Practitioners work within a strong multi-disciplinary team, providing assessments and therapy to children with severe, chronic and enduring mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety-based disorders and trauma. You would work with children, young people and families to understand their experiences and presenting concerns in order to provide an appropriate evidence-based intervention and work closely with other agencies to support the best outcomes.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Essential: A professional qualification at degree level or equivalent (e.g. Psychology, Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, or equivalent).
• Essential: Professional registration/accreditation with a recognised body (e.g. NMC, HCPC, Social Work England, UKCP, BABCP).
• Desirable: Recognised qualification in evidenced-based therapeutic mental health interventions for children/young people and their families/carers.
• Desirable: Postgraduate qualification relevant to the specialist area.
• Desirable: Clinical Supervision qualification.

Experience

• Essential: Substantial experience managing a complex caseload with children/young people presenting with a range of mental health presentations.
• Essential: Experience working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment.
• Essential: Experience delivering model-based psychological therapy.
• Desirable: Participation in user involvement in services.
• Desirable: Mentoring students in line with professional requirements.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Essential: Ability to be mobile across a geographical area and work to service needs.
• Essential: Computer literacy.

Security and Registration

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a DBS disclosure.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Employer: Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address: Evergreen, Victoria Park Road, Exeter, EX2 4NU

Website: dpt.nhs.uk