Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Assertive Outreach Team - Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 09 October 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Assertive Outreach Team, as part of our Community Mental Health Service, based in Bridgwater. We are looking for an enthusiastic practitioner (Registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker or Occupational Therapist) who is keen to support people with serious mental illness (SMI) and complex needs, across a shared caseload.

Our team respond rapidly to the needs of adults needing mental health advice and support. The team is established, supportive, knowledgeable and above all passionate about what they do!

This opportunity is for 5 days per week (37.5 hours), 9am-5pm - we can be flexible around condensed hours and start / finish times.

We are a supportive, compassionate multi-disciplinary service where every person is an integral part of the team.

"Working as part of the Community Mental Health team, is one of the most rewarding roles I have undertaken. Every day is different - it is interesting, challenging and I love being able to make a difference. From the moment I started, I felt relaxed and included."

As part of our Community Mental Health Team, you can take part (or not) in team days/nights out, sweep stakes and 'secret Santa', as well as other activities - we're always open to suggestions!

Main duties of the job

As a Registered Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Social Worker, you will be responsible for delivering comprehensive assessments and evidence-based psychosocial interventions to individuals experiencing mental health challenges. A collaborative, strengths-based approach is central to this role.

You will be part of a Community Mental Health Service that works innovatively across traditional boundaries between primary and secondary care, in close partnership with service users, the voluntary sector, and community enterprises.

In addition to your clinical responsibilities, you will contribute to the team's clinical leadership, offering supervision to colleagues as agreed with the Team Manager. You will also play an active role in the ongoing development and evaluation of the team and wider service. Building strong relationships and liaising with a broad network of partners is a key aspect of this position.

You must have a full driving licence and have permanent access to own transport with appropriate business insurance.

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

29 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-3255

Job locations

Glanville House

Church Street

Bridgwater

Somerset

TA6 5AT


Job description

Job responsibilities

For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • RMN, Social Work or Occupational Therapy Qualification.Current registration with relevant professional body.Evidence of post qualifying professional development in an acute setting.

Experience

Essential

  • Significant post registration experience in multi-disciplinary community mental health services.Experience of managing risk of clients in crisis.Experience of assessment, care-plan, development and evaluation in conjunction with clients and carers.Experience and knowledge of working with people with mental health problems.

Desirable

  • Experience of mental health difficulties.

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Access to regular transport with appropriate business insurance.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • RMN, Social Work or Occupational Therapy Qualification.Current registration with relevant professional body.Evidence of post qualifying professional development in an acute setting.

Experience

Essential

  • Significant post registration experience in multi-disciplinary community mental health services.Experience of managing risk of clients in crisis.Experience of assessment, care-plan, development and evaluation in conjunction with clients and carers.Experience and knowledge of working with people with mental health problems.

Desirable

  • Experience of mental health difficulties.

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Access to regular transport with appropriate business insurance.

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

Glanville House

Church Street

Bridgwater

Somerset

TA6 5AT


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Glanville House

Church Street

Bridgwater

Somerset

TA6 5AT


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Hiring Manager

Samantha Francis

samantha.francis@somersetft.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

29 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-3255

Job locations

Glanville House

Church Street

Bridgwater

Somerset

TA6 5AT


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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