Therapeutic Practitioner

Job responsibilities

Do you want to join us in transforming mental health services?

We have an exciting opportunity for two Therapeutic Practitioners to join Northpoint, working across Calderdale to deliver mental health support to children and families as part of the Open Minds (CAMHS) service.

We are recruiting:

• One full-time post (35 hours per week)

• One part-time post (14 hours per week)

We would also be open to considering alternative working patterns of 28 hours or 21 hours per week, and welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible or job-share arrangements.

Both roles are offered on a fixed-term contract for 12 months and with a full-time equivalent (FTE) salary of £40,290 – £46,330, depending on experience.

Why work with us?

This post will be employed by and based within Northpoint, a local charity providing a range of services to promote mental health and emotional wellbeing. We believe that timely access to appropriate support, particularly talking therapies, plays a vital role in promoting emotional wellbeing and relieving mental distress for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Open Minds (CAMHS) is delivered in partnership between Northpoint and South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SWYPFT), as part of the wider Open Minds Partnership — a network of statutory and voluntary organisations supporting children and young people’s mental health.

What you will be doing as our Therapeutic Practitioner

Successful candidates will bring experience of delivering therapeutic interventions for children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties. You will be person-centred in your approach and able to work creatively and flexibly in a demanding environment.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Assessing the strengths and needs of children, young people, and their families.

2. Supporting access to community-based services and self-help resources.

3. Delivering short-term, evidence-based interventions, supporting service users to identify goals, track progress, and recognise achievements.

4. Working alongside and supporting partner agencies, including schools, specialist CAMHS, third-sector providers, and universal services.

What we are looking for

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Proactive, reliable, and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently

• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities

• Flexible and responsive to service needs

• Confident, approachable, positive, and enthusiastic

• Demonstrates care, compassion, sensitivity, and responsiveness

• Able to work effectively as part of a team and build positive working relationships

If you have the skills, knowledge, and experience we are looking for and are passionate about making a difference, please click Apply to be considered for this role. We would love to hear from you.

Closing date: 25th February 2026, We may utilise digital interview methods as part of the recruitment process.

We aim to be a talented, resilient, and inclusive community and welcome applications from all. We are committed to flexible working and offer a range of part-time, full-time, and job-share opportunities.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All staff are expected to share this commitment. Roles exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act will require a DBS check prior to appointment.

Qualifications

Essential

• A relevant professional qualification OR A relevant therapeutic qualification* A relevant professional qualification would include social work, mental health nursing, occupational therapy, or similar allied health profession. *A relevant therapy qualification would include a diploma from a BACP or BABCP accredited training (or equivalent) or a relevant HCPC registered title i.e. art therapist, arts psychotherapist, drama therapist, clinical psychologist).
• Membership/registration of relevant professional body OR the relevant qualifications, experience, and willingness to achieve registration/membership within 12 months.

Desirable

• CYP IAPT qualification/training
• Relevant post-qualification training
• Accreditation of relevant professional body

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential

• Knowledge of common mental/emotional health issues and the impact these can have on children, young people, and their families.
• Demonstrable knowledge of relevant safeguarding and mental health legislation

Desirable

• Familiarity with electronic patient management systems such as IAPTus.
• Awareness of relevant initiatives and frameworks, including Thrive Elaborated, Choice & Partnership Approach (CAPA), and CYP IAPT.
• Knowledge of Calderdale emotional health and wellbeing services.
• Knowledge of relevant CYP IAPT outcome measures.
• Knowledge of autism and ADHD

Experience

Essential

• A minimum of 1 years post-qualification experience of working with children and young people with mental health difficulties.
• Experience of using outcome measures and providing evidence-based practice

Desirable

• Experience of working with parents/carers.
• Experience of working in CAMHS or similar mental health service

Skills and Competencies

Essential

• Ability to carry out mental health assessments including assessment of risk, analysis of strengths, and protective factors.
• Ability to assess child protection concerns and to follow relevant safeguarding procedures.
• Ability to form relationships with children and young people in a way which respects their individuality and helps them to build on their existing skills and resources.
• Ability to provide consultation, guidance, and advice to professionals in other services on how to support children, young people & families who present with emotional/mental health issues.
• Ability to provide culturally sensitive support.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to think clinically/therapeutically about client need.
• Ability to write concise and informative reports and letters.
• Ability to use and interpret outcome measures to monitor intervention effectiveness.
• Competent ICT skills

Desirable

• n/a

Qualities and Values

Essential

• Proactive, reliable, self-motivated, and able to work independently.
• Ability to prioritise workload and multitask.
• Flexible to meet service needs.
• Well organised and able to manage time effectively.
• Assertive and confident.
• Approachable, positive, and enthusiastic.

Desirable

• n/a

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 (opens in a new window).