Job summary
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of women and families during the perinatal period? We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Community Mental Health Practitioner to join our newly commissioned Perinatal and Maternal Mental Health Team. This is a unique opportunity to shape and deliver high-quality, specialist care to women experiencing severe mental health difficulties during pregnancy and the postnatal period.
You will be part of a multidisciplinary team providing assessment, treatment, and support to women, their babies, and families across Somerset. This role offers the chance to work flexibly in a community setting, with access to regional inpatient services and outreach support.
Please note that previous applicants need not apply.
Main duties of the job
- Deliver specialist mental health assessments and evidence-based interventions for women during the perinatal period.
- Act as a keyworker under the Care Programme Approach, coordinating care plans, risk assessments, and reviews.
- Provide professional advice and support to colleagues, external agencies, and service users.
- Facilitate safe admission to and discharge from Mother and Baby Units when required.
- Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to ensure holistic, person-centred care.
- Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives.
- Support and supervise junior staff and students, promoting a culture of learning and development.
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Band 6 Community Mental Health Practitioner, you will:
- Assess and plan care for women with complex mental health needs during pregnancy and up to one year postnatally.
- Deliver interventions that promote recovery, reduce risk, and support parenting and bonding.
- Work county-wide, visiting service users in their homes and community settings, with hot-desking facilities available.
- Liaise with a wide range of professionals, including midwives, health visitors, GPs, social workers, and inpatient services.
- Provide leadership within the team, contributing to clinical governance, supervision, and service evaluation.
- Support families and carers, assessing their needs and offering appropriate interventions and signposting.
- Ensure compliance with CQC standards, Trust policies, and national guidelines (e.g., NICE, Mental Health Act).
- Participate in training and development, both as a learner and educator, to maintain high standards of practice.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Band 6 Community Mental Health Practitioner, you will:
- Assess and plan care for women with complex mental health needs during pregnancy and up to one year postnatally.
- Deliver interventions that promote recovery, reduce risk, and support parenting and bonding.
- Work county-wide, visiting service users in their homes and community settings, with hot-desking facilities available.
- Liaise with a wide range of professionals, including midwives, health visitors, GPs, social workers, and inpatient services.
- Provide leadership within the team, contributing to clinical governance, supervision, and service evaluation.
- Support families and carers, assessing their needs and offering appropriate interventions and signposting.
- Ensure compliance with CQC standards, Trust policies, and national guidelines (e.g., NICE, Mental Health Act).
- Participate in training and development, both as a learner and educator, to maintain high standards of practice.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A registered qualification in one of the following: nursing, social work, occupational therapy.Evidence of continuing professional development and maintenance of relevant professional qualification.
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Relevant knowledge/experience of Perinatal Mental Health assessment and care planning. Experience of working with individuals in crisis in an inpatient or community setting. Experience of working with people with severe and enduring mental illnesses.
Desirable
- Previous experience of working with women whose pregnancy or postnatal period is complicated by serious mental illness in any setting.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Must be a car driver with a valid driving license or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A registered qualification in one of the following: nursing, social work, occupational therapy.Evidence of continuing professional development and maintenance of relevant professional qualification.
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Relevant knowledge/experience of Perinatal Mental Health assessment and care planning. Experience of working with individuals in crisis in an inpatient or community setting. Experience of working with people with severe and enduring mental illnesses.
Desirable
- Previous experience of working with women whose pregnancy or postnatal period is complicated by serious mental illness in any setting.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Must be a car driver with a valid driving license or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel.
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.
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.
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).
