Job summary
Therapeutic Education is part of the Homes and Horizons project, a ground-breaking collaboration between the NHS, Social Care, Education and The Shaw Trust. Together, we provide homes, therapeutic education, foster care and trauma-informed environments for some of Somerset's most complex young people.
Therapeutic Education is currently provided at Misterton Learning Centre, with a second site opening in Wellington in 2026. Each Centre will offer education, therapeutic activities and specialist interventions for up to 15 young people.
Due to the continued growth of our project, we are recruiting a Mental Health Nurse to provide a broad clinical service and a unique professional perspective across our education sites and children's homes. You will be interested in working with young people who present with neurodivergence, mental health difficulties and needs rooted in adverse early experiences. You will play a key role in shaping a rich therapeutic culture across this developing service.
This role is suited to someone with clear professional boundaries, strong clinical judgement and the ability to work flexibly and collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams. You will work closely with education staff and CAMHS colleagues to empower young people to reach their full potential.
This post is supported by an experienced clinical team, including Clinical Psychology, Creative Therapies, Speech and Language Therapy, Social Work and Occupational Therapy.
Main duties of the job
- Provide high-quality mental health assessment, formulation and evidence-based intervention for young people attending the Therapeutic Education Centres.
- Deliver consultation, guidance and clinical support to multi-disciplinary colleagues across education, social care and children's homes.
- Contribute to the development of therapeutic culture and trauma-informed practice across the service.
- Work collaboratively with families and carers, ensuring they are informed, supported and involved in care planning.
- Lead or contribute to group and individual interventions tailored to young people with complex needs.
- Identify risk, undertake risk assessments and implement positive risk management plans.
- Maintain accurate clinical records in line with Trust policies.
- Liaise effectively with a wide range of internal and external partners, including CAMHS teams, education colleagues, children's social care, GPs and other agencies.
- Provide clinical leadership, supervision and guidance to junior staff where appropriate.
- Participate in service development activity, clinical audit and the evaluation of new approaches.
- Contribute to training, induction and learning opportunities for staff and students.
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
Clinical responsibilities
- Carry out mental health assessments, including risk and safeguarding assessments, using flexible verbal and nonverbal communication methods to support engagement.
- Manage a clinical caseload, planning and prioritising work independently.
- Lead evidence-based interventions, adapting approaches to meet the needs of neurodivergent young people and those with trauma-related presentations.
- Offer consultation and advice to schools, carers and partner services to improve outcomes for young people.
- Facilitate referrals to other services where needs fall outside the scope of Therapeutic Education.
- Provide reports, formulations and recommendations that inform care planning and multi-agency decision making.
- Take part in Community Treatment Reviews or Community and Education Treatment Reviews where required.
Interagency working
- Develop strong working relationships with CAMHS teams, social care, education colleagues, health partners and voluntary sector services.
- Participate in multidisciplinary and multiagency meetings, contributing clinical insight and supporting collaborative practice.
Professional responsibilities
- Maintain professional registration and ensure ongoing CPD relevant to the role.
- Attend clinical supervision and reflective practice opportunities.
- Act in accordance with Trust policies on safeguarding, confidentiality, information governance and health and safety.
- Support the induction, supervision and professional development of junior staff and students.
Service development and leadership
- Contribute to developing systems, processes and approaches within the Therapeutic Education service.
- Identify barriers to access and promote inclusive approaches for young people with additional needs.
- Help build a traumainformed, relational culture across all education sites and homes.
Travel
- The role requires travel between education sites, children's homes and community locations. A full driving licence and access to transport with appropriate business insurance is essential.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical responsibilities
- Carry out mental health assessments, including risk and safeguarding assessments, using flexible verbal and nonverbal communication methods to support engagement.
- Manage a clinical caseload, planning and prioritising work independently.
- Lead evidence-based interventions, adapting approaches to meet the needs of neurodivergent young people and those with trauma-related presentations.
- Offer consultation and advice to schools, carers and partner services to improve outcomes for young people.
- Facilitate referrals to other services where needs fall outside the scope of Therapeutic Education.
- Provide reports, formulations and recommendations that inform care planning and multi-agency decision making.
- Take part in Community Treatment Reviews or Community and Education Treatment Reviews where required.
Interagency working
- Develop strong working relationships with CAMHS teams, social care, education colleagues, health partners and voluntary sector services.
- Participate in multidisciplinary and multiagency meetings, contributing clinical insight and supporting collaborative practice.
Professional responsibilities
- Maintain professional registration and ensure ongoing CPD relevant to the role.
- Attend clinical supervision and reflective practice opportunities.
- Act in accordance with Trust policies on safeguarding, confidentiality, information governance and health and safety.
- Support the induction, supervision and professional development of junior staff and students.
Service development and leadership
- Contribute to developing systems, processes and approaches within the Therapeutic Education service.
- Identify barriers to access and promote inclusive approaches for young people with additional needs.
- Help build a traumainformed, relational culture across all education sites and homes.
Travel
- The role requires travel between education sites, children's homes and community locations. A full driving licence and access to transport with appropriate business insurance is essential.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised professional qualification at degree or equivalent level in Nursing, Occupational Therapy or Social work
- Registration with the appropriate professional body
Desirable
- Evidence of continuous post-qualifying professional development.
- Post-qualifying training in therapeutic interventions
- Have a Recognised qualification in assessing autism
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children and young people.
- Experience of multi-agency working.
- Experience and understanding of Safeguarding Children and other relevant legislation and policies
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders and Neurodevelopmental disorders in children and young people, and their impact on both the client group and their families/carers.
- Knowledge of a wide range of evidence-based treatment/therapeutic interventions.
- Knowledge and experience of risk assessment and risk management planning with high-risk young people.
- Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service.
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of RCPA (previously ICPA)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised professional qualification at degree or equivalent level in Nursing, Occupational Therapy or Social work
- Registration with the appropriate professional body
Desirable
- Evidence of continuous post-qualifying professional development.
- Post-qualifying training in therapeutic interventions
- Have a Recognised qualification in assessing autism
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children and young people.
- Experience of multi-agency working.
- Experience and understanding of Safeguarding Children and other relevant legislation and policies
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders and Neurodevelopmental disorders in children and young people, and their impact on both the client group and their families/carers.
- Knowledge of a wide range of evidence-based treatment/therapeutic interventions.
- Knowledge and experience of risk assessment and risk management planning with high-risk young people.
- Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service.
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of RCPA (previously ICPA)
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).
