Specialist Mental Health Practitioner

NHS; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a Specialist Practitioner to join the NHS's National Deaf CAMHS team in Taunton, delivering essential mental health services to Deaf children and young people. The position offers professional development, flexible working arrangements, and involvement in a supportive bilingual team.

Benefits

Flexible working options

NHS pension scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

Career development opportunities

Access to Blue Light Card discounts

Qualifications

• Qualified mental health professional (Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health Nurse, etc.).
• Experience with children and young people with mental health difficulties.
• Commitment to learning British Sign Language (BSL) and professional development.

Responsibilities

• Conduct specialist mental health assessments and provide therapeutic interventions.
• Work with multi-disciplinary teams and collaborate with other professionals.
• Support and mentor junior staff within the team.

Skills

Assessment

Psychological therapy skills

Clinical supervision

Multi-agency collaboration

Education

Recognised professional qualification in Clinical Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Creative Therapies

Evidence of post-qualifying training in psychological or therapeutic interventions

Job description

Job summary

Are you a passionate and experienced mental health professional with a drive to make a meaningful difference? We are seeking a Specialist Practitioner to join our highly specialist National Deaf Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in the South West, delivering a high-quality mental health service for Deaf children, young people, and their families.

About the Role

This is a 12-month fixed-term post (maternity cover) working 30 hours per week, with flexibility to work from home and regular travel across the South West to schools, colleges, and community settings.

You will be part of a bi-lingual (British Sign Language and English), bi-cultural multidisciplinary team providing specialist assessment, intervention, consultation, and training. Our team includes professionals from both Deaf and hearing communities and is psychology-led.

No previous British Sign Language (BSL) experience is required - just a strong commitment to learning, with paid training provided during work hours.

We Want to Hear From You If You Are A:

• Clinical Psychologist
• Mental Health Nurse
• Occupational Therapist
• Social Worker
• Creative Therapist (e.g. Art, Music, Drama Therapy)

Or another qualified mental health professional with psychological therapy skills

Main duties of the job

As a Specialist Practitioner in the South West Deaf CAMHS team, your core responsibilities will include:

• Clinical Work: Conducting specialist mental health assessments and providing psychological and therapeutic interventions adapted to the linguistic and cultural needs of Deaf young people. You'll also contribute to risk assessments, safety planning, and safeguarding processes.
• Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration: You will liaise with colleagues across mental health, education, and social care to develop and deliver holistic care packages and support joined-up service delivery.
• Leadership and Supervision: Supporting and mentoring junior staff, providing clinical supervision where required, and contributing to team development and training.
• Service Development: Participating in audits, evaluations and quality improvement projects in collaboration with the wider national Deaf CAMHS network.
• Professional Development: You will receive ongoing clinical supervision and access to training, including BSL courses, to support your development and role effectiveness.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details Date posted

01 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-2762

Job locations

Foundation House

Wellsprings Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA2 7PQ

Job description Job responsibilities

• Deliver specialist, evidence-based assessment and treatment for Deaf children and young people with complex mental health, neurodevelopmental, and communication needs.
• Provide consultation, supervision and support to other professionals (education, social care, CAMHS).
• Act as care coordinator or keyworker where appropriate, ensuring integrated and person-centred care.
• Promote mental health inclusion, Deaf awareness and cultural sensitivity across settings.
• Work as part of a bi-lingual, bi-cultural team alongside Deaf and hearing colleagues.
• Develop your BSL skills (Level 1 required within one year, Level 2 within three years - training funded and completed in work time).

Please see the attached job description for full responsibilities.

Job description Job responsibilities

• Deliver specialist, evidence-based assessment and treatment for Deaf children and young people with complex mental health, neurodevelopmental, and communication needs.
• Provide consultation, supervision and support to other professionals (education, social care, CAMHS).
• Act as care coordinator or keyworker where appropriate, ensuring integrated and person-centred care.
• Promote mental health inclusion, Deaf awareness and cultural sensitivity across settings.
• Work as part of a bi-lingual, bi-cultural team alongside Deaf and hearing colleagues.
• Develop your BSL skills (Level 1 required within one year, Level 2 within three years - training funded and completed in work time).

Please see the attached job description for full responsibilities.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Recognised professional qualification and registration in one of the following: Clinical Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Creative Therapies (Art, Music, Drama, Play Therapy)
• Evidence of post-qualifying training or working towards training in psychological or therapeutic interventions (e.g., CBT, play therapy, solution-focused therapy)
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in child and adolescent mental health

Desirable

• British Sign Language (BSL) Level 1 or above or commitment to learning
• Working towards or completed additional therapeutic modalities

Experience Essential

• Experience working with children and young people with mental health difficulties
• Experience in specialist assessment, formulation, and risk management
• Experience of multi-agency and multi-disciplinary working

Desirable

• Experience working with Deaf individuals or using interpreters
• Experience in delivering clinical supervision or training
• Experience working with children with additional communication or learning needs

Additional Criteria Essential

• Car driver with access to a vehicle for work

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Recognised professional qualification and registration in one of the following: Clinical Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Creative Therapies (Art, Music, Drama, Play Therapy)
• Evidence of post-qualifying training or working towards training in psychological or therapeutic interventions (e.g., CBT, play therapy, solution-focused therapy)
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in child and adolescent mental health

Desirable

• British Sign Language (BSL) Level 1 or above or commitment to learning
• Working towards or completed additional therapeutic modalities

Experience Essential

• Experience working with children and young people with mental health difficulties
• Experience in specialist assessment, formulation, and risk management
• Experience of multi-agency and multi-disciplinary working

Desirable

• Experience working with Deaf individuals or using interpreters
• Experience in delivering clinical supervision or training
• Experience working with children with additional communication or learning needs

Additional Criteria Essential

• Car driver with access to a vehicle for work

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 (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information 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 (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Foundation House

Wellsprings Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA2 7PQ

Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Foundation House

Wellsprings Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA2 7PQ

Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)