Job summary
We are looking for a compassionate, motivated Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join our CAMHS SPA & Early Intervention Service. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic multidisciplinary team offering early, accessible support to children and young people across Somerset.
Our service acts as the front door to CAMHS--triaging referrals, offering early intervention, and ensuring children, young people and families access the right support at the right time. You will deliver holistic assessments, therapeutic interventions, and specialist clinical advice, working closely with partner agencies including GPs, schools, social care and voluntary organisations.
We provide a supportive, developmental environment with regular supervision, embedded peer support, and extensive opportunities for CPD and professional growth. We provide a service Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is committed to supporting a healthy work-life balance. We actively encourage flexible working across the organisation and are happy to consider a range of working arrangements for our staff.
Main duties of the job
- Be the first point of clinical contact for young people referred to CAMHS, using your expertise to triage needs and decide the best next steps.
- Carry out meaningful, holistic assessments that help young people and families understand their mental health, strengths and support options.
- Deliver early intervention through 1:1 work, group sessions, psychoeducation and brief therapeutic approaches that build resilience and confidence.
- Make a real impact on safety and wellbeing, using your risk assessment and management skills to support young people experiencing distress, self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
- Work creatively and collaboratively with schools, GPs, Children's Social Care, colleges and voluntary organisations to ensure a joinedup approach to care.
- Champion accessibility and inclusion, helping families navigate services and overcoming barriers that might prevent them from accessing help.
- Contribute to a positive, supportive team environment, offering guidance, supervision and specialist advice to colleagues and students.
- Shape future services, taking part in audits, service evaluation, and development work to help us continually improve the CAMHS offer for Somerset.
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
- Complete comprehensive psycho-social assessments for children and young people referred into CAMHS SPA.
- Screen and triage referrals, ensuring prompt and appropriate allocation of support.
- Provide evidence based short-term interventions, both individually and in groups.
- Support and involve families and carers as part of the therapeutic process.
- Attend multidisciplinary and multiagency meetings as required.
- Communicate clearly and sensitively with young people, families and professionals.
- Deliver psychoeducational sessions and contribute to group work programmes.
Risk & Safeguarding
- Conduct robust risk assessments and develop collaborative safety plans.
- Recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns in line with Trust policy.
- Support colleagues managing high-risk presentations and emotionally challenging situations.
Collaboration & Partnership Working
- Build strong working relationships with schools, colleges, GPs, Children's Social Care, acute paediatrics and voluntary services.
- Offer consultation, professional advice and mental health insights to partner agencies.
- Identify barriers to accessing help and work to improve pathways for CYP and families.
Organisation & Documentation
- Manage your own diary, caseload and workload autonomously.
- Maintain accurate, timely and confidential patient records in line with Trust policies.
- Contribute to service KPIs, data collection and audit activities.
Service Development & Leadership
- Support junior staff, students and new starters through supervision and guidance.
- Participate in induction, training delivery and resource development.
- Stay up to date with national policies, evidence based practice and relevant legislation.
- Attend forums, conferences and professional development opportunities.
Professionalism & Trust Values
- Demonstrate the Trust's values: Kindness, Respect and Teamwork.
- Maintain professional registration and ongoing CPD.
- Follow all Trust policies, including equality, diversity, confidentiality and infection control.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
- Complete comprehensive psycho-social assessments for children and young people referred into CAMHS SPA.
- Screen and triage referrals, ensuring prompt and appropriate allocation of support.
- Provide evidence based short-term interventions, both individually and in groups.
- Support and involve families and carers as part of the therapeutic process.
- Attend multidisciplinary and multiagency meetings as required.
- Communicate clearly and sensitively with young people, families and professionals.
- Deliver psychoeducational sessions and contribute to group work programmes.
Risk & Safeguarding
- Conduct robust risk assessments and develop collaborative safety plans.
- Recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns in line with Trust policy.
- Support colleagues managing high-risk presentations and emotionally challenging situations.
Collaboration & Partnership Working
- Build strong working relationships with schools, colleges, GPs, Children's Social Care, acute paediatrics and voluntary services.
- Offer consultation, professional advice and mental health insights to partner agencies.
- Identify barriers to accessing help and work to improve pathways for CYP and families.
Organisation & Documentation
- Manage your own diary, caseload and workload autonomously.
- Maintain accurate, timely and confidential patient records in line with Trust policies.
- Contribute to service KPIs, data collection and audit activities.
Service Development & Leadership
- Support junior staff, students and new starters through supervision and guidance.
- Participate in induction, training delivery and resource development.
- Stay up to date with national policies, evidence based practice and relevant legislation.
- Attend forums, conferences and professional development opportunities.
Professionalism & Trust Values
- Demonstrate the Trust's values: Kindness, Respect and Teamwork.
- Maintain professional registration and ongoing CPD.
- Follow all Trust policies, including equality, diversity, confidentiality and infection control.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A recorded/registered qualification in one of the following - nursing, social work or occupational therapy OR A recorded/registered doctoral level qualification in clinical or counselling psychology with current HCPC registration.Evidence of continuing professional development and maintenance of relevant professional qualification
Desirable
- Professional knowledge acquired through degree/diploma.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working in CYP mental health servicesExperience of providing evidence based psychological therapies.
Desirable
- Experience of working in Primary Care Services.Experience of working with diverse communities
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Extensive knowledge of child protection issues and other relevant legislation and experience in helping others understand and follow policies and legislation in practice.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.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A recorded/registered qualification in one of the following - nursing, social work or occupational therapy OR A recorded/registered doctoral level qualification in clinical or counselling psychology with current HCPC registration.Evidence of continuing professional development and maintenance of relevant professional qualification
Desirable
- Professional knowledge acquired through degree/diploma.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working in CYP mental health servicesExperience of providing evidence based psychological therapies.
Desirable
- Experience of working in Primary Care Services.Experience of working with diverse communities
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Extensive knowledge of child protection issues and other relevant legislation and experience in helping others understand and follow policies and legislation in practice.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.
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).
