Job summary
Connect18 is a forward-thinking community mental health service supporting young adults as they transition into adult services at age 18. This transition can be a challenging period, particularly for those with existing mental health needs, and our team is committed to providing compassionate, traumainformed and strengthsbased care.
As a Mental Health Practitioner, you will provide highquality assessment and evidencebased psychosocial interventions to a defined caseload of young adults with a range of mental health difficulties. You will work collaboratively with service users, carers, and a wide network of partners to ensure care is safe, recovery-focused and responsive.
You will also make a valuable contribution to the wider team by offering clinical leadership, supervision, and input into service development. Connect18 is proud to work across traditional service boundaries, in partnership with voluntary-sector organisations, other community teams, and experts by experience.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where colleagues from all backgrounds feel valued and supported. We welcome applications from people of all identities, lived experiences and communities.
Main duties of the job
- Provide timely, holistic and strengthsbased assessments for young adults accessing mental health support.
- Deliver psychosocial, evidence-based interventions (including solution-focused approaches, motivational interviewing and recoveryoriented practice).
- Work collaboratively with service users and carers to develop Recovery Plans and Risk Management Plans.
- Use knowledge of psychological therapies (e.g., CBT, CAT) to support therapeutic engagement, consolidation of learning and relapse prevention.
- Maintain purposeful therapeutic relationships, using creativity and specialist skills to promote hope and resilience.
- Assess and manage risk, including working with challenging or emotionally distressing presentations.
- Liaise with a broad range of partners, including voluntary sector organisations, housing providers, inpatient units, GPs, safeguarding teams and community services.
- Contribute to clinical leadership within the team, including supervision of Band 5 and unregistered staff, support for students, and deputising for the Team Manager where required.
- Participate in service evaluation, audit, quality improvement and clinical governance activity.
- Maintain accurate clinical records in line with Trust policy and professional standards.
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
In this role, you will work within the Connect18 Community Mental Health Service--a dynamic, personcentred service that challenges traditional boundaries between primary and secondary care. You will deliver highquality mental health interventions for young adults who may have complex histories, longterm service involvement, or present with high levels of risk.
Your practice will be underpinned by traumainformed principles, promoting safety, empowerment and understanding of the impact of adverse experiences. You will use a collaborative and relational approach throughout, ensuring the young adult remains central to all decisionmaking.
Key aspects of the role include:
Comprehensive Clinical Work
- Undertake thorough assessments using recovery and strengthsbased models.
- Communicate complex or sensitive information effectively to service users, carers and multidisciplinary partners.
- Provide therapeutic interventions that foster independence, wellbeing and longterm resilience.
- Work systemically with families and significant others where appropriate.
Risk Assessment & Safeguarding
- Assess, document and communicate changes in risk promptly.
- Participate in Safeguarding Adults and Children procedures, Child Protection Conferences and multiagency meetings.
- Support individuals experiencing crisis, distress or relapse with empathy and professional judgement.
Leadership & Team Contribution
- Act as a senior practitioner within the team, contributing to decisionmaking and supporting colleagues.
- Supervise junior staff, support preceptorship and contribute to student learning.
- Coordinate team activity, including triaging referrals and facilitating communication in the Team Manager's absence.
Professional Standards & Governance
- Work in accordance with your professional code of conduct and Trust policies.
- Engage in regular supervision, reflective practice and CPD.
- Participate in clinical governance, audit and service development initiatives.
- Maintain high standards of information governance, confidentiality and record keeping.
Additional Requirements
- Use Trust IT systems confidently, including electronic patient records.
- Travel across the county, including the Mendip area, to deliver interventions in the community.
- Complete required Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PMVA) training.
We encourage applications from individuals who share our values of outstanding care, listening and leading, and working together. If you're passionate about supporting young adults during a crucial stage of their journey and want to be part of an innovative, supportive team, we would love to hear from you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
In this role, you will work within the Connect18 Community Mental Health Service--a dynamic, personcentred service that challenges traditional boundaries between primary and secondary care. You will deliver highquality mental health interventions for young adults who may have complex histories, longterm service involvement, or present with high levels of risk.
Your practice will be underpinned by traumainformed principles, promoting safety, empowerment and understanding of the impact of adverse experiences. You will use a collaborative and relational approach throughout, ensuring the young adult remains central to all decisionmaking.
Key aspects of the role include:
Comprehensive Clinical Work
- Undertake thorough assessments using recovery and strengthsbased models.
- Communicate complex or sensitive information effectively to service users, carers and multidisciplinary partners.
- Provide therapeutic interventions that foster independence, wellbeing and longterm resilience.
- Work systemically with families and significant others where appropriate.
Risk Assessment & Safeguarding
- Assess, document and communicate changes in risk promptly.
- Participate in Safeguarding Adults and Children procedures, Child Protection Conferences and multiagency meetings.
- Support individuals experiencing crisis, distress or relapse with empathy and professional judgement.
Leadership & Team Contribution
- Act as a senior practitioner within the team, contributing to decisionmaking and supporting colleagues.
- Supervise junior staff, support preceptorship and contribute to student learning.
- Coordinate team activity, including triaging referrals and facilitating communication in the Team Manager's absence.
Professional Standards & Governance
- Work in accordance with your professional code of conduct and Trust policies.
- Engage in regular supervision, reflective practice and CPD.
- Participate in clinical governance, audit and service development initiatives.
- Maintain high standards of information governance, confidentiality and record keeping.
Additional Requirements
- Use Trust IT systems confidently, including electronic patient records.
- Travel across the county, including the Mendip area, to deliver interventions in the community.
- Complete required Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PMVA) training.
We encourage applications from individuals who share our values of outstanding care, listening and leading, and working together. If you're passionate about supporting young adults during a crucial stage of their journey and want to be part of an innovative, supportive team, we would love to hear from you.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RMN, Social Work or Occupational Therapy QualificationCurrent registration with relevant professional bodyEvidence 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
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RMN, Social Work or Occupational Therapy QualificationCurrent registration with relevant professional bodyEvidence 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
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).
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
