Tele-coach Psychological Practitioner

Islet Systems; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health services provider is hiring a Tele-coach Practitioner to handle mental health crises via telephone. The role requires expertise in emotional support and crisis management, with responsibilities including conducting assessments and providing recovery-focused interventions. Candidates should have a relevant degree and experience in mental health. Flexible working patterns available, with a salary between £31,049 and £37,796 annually, based in Exeter.

Qualifications

• Experience with individuals experiencing mental health crises.
• Ability to study successfully at graduate level or equivalent experience.
• Ability to complete Trust Mandatory Courses.

Responsibilities

• Provide triaging and tele-coaching for mental health crisis calls.
• Conduct complex mental state and clinical risk assessments.
• Provide recovery-focused interventions and emotional support.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to assess situations

Ability to form therapeutic relationships

Experience in applying psychologically informed interventions

Ability to work without direct supervision

Education

Qualified to degree level in health-related subject

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our mental health First Response Service, an exciting newly commissioned service based in Exeter. The team promotes a dynamic and innovative way of working, triaging and responding to crisis referrals. The role encompasses the NHS principle; right care, right time and right place. The First Response Service triages mental health crisis calls and referrals, providing tele‑coaching psychologically informed interventions, support, guidance and signposting. The service further delivers timely and responsive face‑to‑face assessments where indicated.

Devon Partnership NHS Trust is growing as we establish ourselves as one of the leading providers of mental health services in the country.

Working as part of Devon Partnership NHS Trust, you will make a difference to people's lives from the moment you start.

Main duties of the job

This is an ideal post for anyone who has experience and knowledge of working within mental health. Psychology or health related graduates are welcome to apply. Tele‑coach Practitioners complete clinical risk and mental state assessments by telephone, providing short‑term psychological interventions for people presenting in mental health crisis in view of sign posting them onto the most appropriate service to meet their care needs. This is undertaken with direct supervision from senior clinical practitioners.

Working via telephone, Tele‑coach Practitioners are experts in emotional validation, de‑escalating crises and coaching people regarding distress tolerance techniques, promoting emotional regulation interventions. Using a range of psychologically informed interventions, Tele‑coach Practitioners empower people using the service and their carers / families to manage crises more safely and effectively. Successful candidates will work a variety of shift patterns providing 24/7 support to the service.

We are looking for recovery‑focused and confident individuals with excellent communication skills. The role includes the tele triage of crisis calls or referrals to the Trust, coupled with managing requests for clinical information. The role further consists of providing advice, guidance, support and signposting. You will at all times be supported and supervised by a senior clinical mental health lead.

About Us

We provide mental health & learning disability services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

Our values

We not only recruit employees based on their qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess and demonstrate the behaviours which underpin the core values of our organisation. These values include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health & learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Employer.

Job Details

Date posted: 12 January 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 5

Salary: £31,049 to £37,796 a year pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time

Reference number: C9369-26-0021

Job locations: Wonford House, Dryden Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5AF

Job Description & Responsibilities

The post involves working with people of all ages (Children and Young People, Adults or Older People) experiencing a mental health crisis via the telephone, often working with a high level of distress. For people experiencing a mental health crisis, Tele‑coaches will provide:

• Complex mental state assessments
• Complex clinical risk assessments
• Complex clinical formulations
• A range of recovery‑focused interventions
• Validation and de‑escalation of crisis
• Distress tolerance and emotional regulation coaching techniques
• Empowerment of persons in crisis, carers and families as a means of managing situations effectively

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• Evidence of working with people who have suffered with a Mental Health problem (Children and Young People, Adults, or Older People)
• Evidence of ability to study successfully at graduate level or equivalent experience
• Qualified to degree level in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, counselling, psychological therapy, other health-related subject or equivalent experience
• Ability to complete Trust Mandatory Courses

Skills (Essential)

• Excellent communication skills including the ability to engage with users of services experiencing a wide range of complex mental health presentations
• Ability to form positive therapeutic relationships with users of services, carers and other professional bodies
• Ability to assess situations, make decisions, co‑ordinate and organise appropriate responses
• Assessment, planning, and evaluation of mental health difficulties
• Ability to risk assess
• Ability to work without direct supervision
• Experience in applying psychologically informed interventions
• Able to demonstrate commitment to high quality care and service provision
• Able to prioritise work to reflect changing needs
• Ability to manage own time
• Ability to work flexibly

Desirable Skills

• Able to participate and present information in a group setting
• Have an awareness and ability to maintain personal boundaries
• Research awareness
• Supervising learners and other staff

Knowledge (Essential)

• Evidenced based interventions relevant to the clinical service
• Knowledge of Multi‑Disciplinary Working
• Understanding of Recovery principles in Mental Health
• Knowledge and understanding of both adult and childrens safeguarding guidance
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1987
• Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act & Deprivation of Liberty safeguards
• Relevant specialist clinical courses/training

Experience (Essential)

• Application of evidenced based interventions relevant to the clinical service
• Evidence of working with people of any age who have experienced a mental health problem
• Experience of working in a Multi‑Disciplinary environment

Employer Details

Employer name: Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address: Wonford House, Dryden Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5AF

Employer's website: https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/