Specialist Mental Health Practitioner

Midlands Partnership University Nhs Foundation Trust; Halford CP; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is seeking four Band 7 Specialist Mental Health Practitioners for 6-month fixed-term contracts in CAMHS. The role focuses on delivering high-quality assessments and evidence-based interventions for children and young people with complex mental health needs, working within a MDT, providing supervision and contributing to service development.

You will lead expert assessments, guide treatment planning, and collaborate with families and agencies to ensure

Qualifications

• First level professional nursing/AHP/Social Work/Therapy qualification in mental health, Social Work Nursing or AHP or equivalent.
• Evidence of extensive post registration experience with working with those who may experience complex mental health needs in the community setting.
• Experience of assessing and managing complex needs including risk within a structured framework such as CPA/Safeguarding Children frameworks.
• UK Registration as required for practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist assessments of children and young people referred to CAMHS based on complex data from multiple sources.
• Lead in developing clinical services for CAMHS and provide consultation.
• Deliver expert assessment, formulation and intervention with high-risk or high-impact cases.
• Formulate care plans and share complex information with families and professionals where appropriate.
• Deliver a range of clinical interventions and adapt formulations across teams.
• Evaluate treatment options considering theoretical models and developmental factors.

Skills

Assessment

Risk assessment

MDT collaboration

Clinical leadership

Education

Mental health qualification

Job description

Job summary
The CAMHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Crisis Home Treatment are looking to recruit four Band 7 Specialist Mental Health Practitioners on 6-month fixed term contracts
In the role you will deliver a high quality, comprehensive mental health service for children and young people with serious and enduring mental health difficulties. The role involves managing a defined caseload with a focus on working with children and young people and their families who experience a complex range of needs and difficulties.
You will be acting as a key member of the multi‑disciplinary team, and will provide assessment, psychosocial, evidence‑based interventions using a collaborative approach and will be skilled at risk assessment and management. They will complement the multi‑disciplinary working of the team, providing supervision for other team members, as agreed with the Team lead.
You will participate in team and service development and evaluation. Liaison, advice and consultation with a wide range of agencies are central to the role.
Main duties of the job
The Specialist Mental Health Practitioner will have responsibility for providing clinical leadership to colleagues in the assessment, treatment and management of children and young people with acute mental health difficulties. Providing specialist assessment and clinically proven, research‑based interventions to children and young people presenting with high risk or high impact mental health difficulties. You will offer advice and consultation regarding the management of the client group to colleagues within the CYP service and in other agencies where appropriate and when required
About us
Come and work with us at our award‑winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.
We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke‑on‑Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.
We offer great career development for both clinical and non‑clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.
We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.
Please note, we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Please note: If you use Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of your application, we encourage you to review the Trust's guidance on the use of AI within the recruitment process. Further information can be found on Join Us :: Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust or www.mpft.nhs.uk/joinus
Details
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year Dependant on experience
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 6 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 301-LG-26-8364716
Closing date: 04 November 2026

• To provide specialist assessments of children and young people referred to CAMHS based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources including psychological, self‑report measures, rating scales, outcome measures, direct and indirect structured observations and semi‑structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care.
• Take a lead role in the development of clinical services for young people accessing CAMHS, both referred to the team and those identified as requiring additional consultation.
• Provide expert assessment, formulation and intervention and support to all children, young people and families referred to the service providing evidence based specialist interventions.
• Formulate plans of care and negotiate the implementation of such plans and the sharing of complex, sensitive, confidential and at times contentious information e.g. child protection issues.
• To be responsible for implementing a range of clinical interventions for children and young people, their carers, and families, within and across teams employed individually and in synthesis, adjusting and refining formulations drawing upon different explanatory models and maintaining a number of provisional hypotheses.
• To evaluate and make decisions about treatment options taking into account both theoretical and therapeutic models and highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual, family or group.
• To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the assessment, treatment and discharge of clients.
• To provide specialist advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to clients formulation, diagnosis and treatment plan.

Please see job description and person specification attached for the role for Specialist Mental Health Practitioner
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn.

Person Specification
Essential

• First level professional nursing/AHP/Social Work/Therapy qualification in mental health, Social Work Nursing or AHP or equivalent with demonstrable knowledge and continuous post qualified experience/professional development
• Evidence of extensive post registration experience with working with those who may experience complex mental health needs in the community setting
• Experience of assessing and managing complex needs including risk within a structured framework such as CPA/Safeguarding Children frameworks
• Experience and ability to carry out clinical audit
• Skills of assessing, planning and evaluating care, for people with mental health related difficulties, utilising the principles of Recovery.
• Knowledge and experience of holistic assessment of need and understanding of appropriate intervention and MDT approach

Desirable

• Professional specific additional qualification eg non medical prescriber, sensory integration therapy trained, Approved Mental Health Practitioner (AMHP)
• Experience of working in a CAMHS, crisis or community setting
• Experience of working with clients at risk of admission
• Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non professional groups

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.

Employer details
Employer name: Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Hall Court, Hall Park Way, Telford, TF3 4NF, United Kingdom
Contact: Holly Williams (Operational and Quality lead), [e-mail], 07773581961
Please note: If you use Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of your application, we encourage you to review the Trust's guidance on the use of AI within the recruitment process.