Senior Mental Health Practitioner - Outreach Service for Children

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A health trust providing mental health services is seeking a Senior Mental Health Practitioner to enhance care for children and young people. This position involves providing expert clinical care, coordinating crisis management, and contributing to DBT training. Candidates should possess relevant mental health qualifications and experience. The role offers benefits including a competitive NHS pension and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

27 days annual leave

Competitive NHS pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience in mental health care provision, specifically within CAMHS.
• Strong skills in assessment and treatment planning.
• Ability to provide expert supervision and consultation.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert clinical care to patients and manage caseload.
• Coordinate care for crisis patients and undertake assessments.
• Deliver Dialectical Behaviour Therapy training within the team.

Skills

Expert clinical care

Crisis and Risk Assessment

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Risk management

Education

Relevant mental health degree

Job description

Overview

Are you looking to make a real difference in the lives of children, young people and vulnerable adults? Buckinghamshire Children and Young Person's Mental Health team are looking for a Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join OSCA (Outreach Service for Children and Adolescents). OSCA is a specialised element of the Buckinghamshire CAMHS service based on the iThrive model, providing assessment and interventions across DBT, Crisis & Intensive Home Treatment (IHTT) and Outreach. The role requires working flexibly across a 7‑day working week and across all three elements of the service.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert clinical care to patients on the caseload, including skilled assessment, treatment, supervision and consultation within CAMHS.
• Act as Clinical Care Coordinator for an agreed caseload of crisis patients, undertaking Crisis and Risk Assessment (CPA) and managing crisis and risk procedures.
• Undertake relevant training and participate in the delivery of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) within the OSCA team as required.
• Develop and regularly review risk management plans, identifying opportunities for positive risk‑taking in partnership with the client, community team and carers.
• Provide expert advice, supervision, guidance and consultation to colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Exercise a high degree of professional autonomy, making critical judgments and decisions where precedents do not exist.
• Utilise advanced knowledge and specialised skills acquired through extensive training, supervision and practice.
• Make and receive referrals, and complete advanced history taking and physical examinations as required.
• Regularly undertake clinical supervision.

Benefits & Conditions

• Band 7 remuneration.
• 27 days annual leave, rising to 33 days with continuous service, plus bank holidays.
• Competitive NHS pension scheme and £1.5k contribution match.
• Lease car, cycle‑to‑work and NHS discount schemes.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aider provision.
• Access to tailored learning and development across the Trust.
• Staff accommodation (waiting list applies) and networking groups hosted by the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team.
• Flexible working options and supportive induction process.
• Equal Opportunities employer – we welcome applications from all sections of the community.
• Commitment to safeguarding, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

The Trust is a responsive and innovative Foundation Trust that upholds the values of Caring, Safe and Excellent. We look forward to receiving your application, which should reference the person specification and guidance notes attached to this role.