Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust

Mental Health Practitioner / Systemic Therapist

The closing date is 20 January 2026

Job summary

Are you an RMN, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, or Trainee Systemic Therapist, with experience, in Mental Health and Eating Disorders?

Would you like to work at the cutting edge of specialist provision for children & young people? Do you have an interest in the interface between physical, mental health & neurodevelopment disorder? We would love you to join our innovative Suffolk CFYP ARFID Team!

We are looking for a band 6 clinician to join our dedicated Suffolk ARFID Service for children based in Haymills House, Stowmarket.

The role is offered as either a secondment, or 12 month fixed term basis, 37.5 hours per week, during the hours of Monday-Friday, 9-5.

We are an Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) service, aiming to meet the needs of children and young people in Suffolk. ARFID has been identified by the ICB as a priority area of service development and funds obtained to develop this exciting clinical offer.

The post-holder will join a specialist multi-disciplinary team that includes psychology, paediatric, psychiatry, dietetic, & OT provision. Operating in an emergent field, the ARFID service will adopt an evidence-informed approach, providing consultation, assessment, formulation, and planning/support for interventions for CYP meeting diagnostic criteria. It is our aim that the MDT will enable the wider system to best support children and young people with ARFID and their families, as they navigate severe food-related anxiety.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will need a level head and be aware of the operational pressures of providing specialist mental health services. As a team we take pride in supporting staff and providing an induction to the area and to people's individual needs and experience.

Working primarily with young people, their families and caregivers, and other professionals, you will contribute to ongoing team and service development to meet the complex needs of the children and their families. The post holder will be responsible for a delegated caseload. Working alongside a multi-disciplinary team you will provide assessments, contribute to the coordination of care plans, providing direct therapeutic interventions to children and young people as well as supporting their families and carers.

Responsibilities include developing and maintaining effective working relationships with other agencies such as community and inpatient paediatrics, other mental health services, to name a few.

If you want to make a difference in people's lives and change it for the better, we want you to be part of our fantastic team!

About us

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Why Norfolk and Suffolk? The people here are warm and welcoming, you'll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We're an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.

Details

Date posted

09 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year £38,682 - £46,580 pa pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours

Reference number

246-WSU7676624

Job locations

Haymills House

Stowmarket

Suffolk

IP141RQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

It is our expectation that you will be a proactive, compassionate, and motivated individual with transferrable skills or with experience of working in the community with Children & Young People. Possessing an interest with Children & Young People with an Eating Disorder is essential.

Attached is the Job Description and Person Specification for more detail on the role Key Accountabilities. If you feel you have what it takes to make a difference in our local communities, click APPLY!

Job description

Job responsibilities

It is our expectation that you will be a proactive, compassionate, and motivated individual with transferrable skills or with experience of working in the community with Children & Young People. Possessing an interest with Children & Young People with an Eating Disorder is essential.

Attached is the Job Description and Person Specification for more detail on the role Key Accountabilities. If you feel you have what it takes to make a difference in our local communities, click APPLY!

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Mental Health or Learning Disability Nurse, Occupational Therapist OR Social Worker with the relevant professional registration
  • Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor training (NMC registrants) or Practice Educator (AHP & Social Worker Registrants)

Desirable

  • Higher degree or post graduate certificate in area of clinical / therapeutic practice

Experience

Essential

  • Able to demonstrate an appropriate level of knowledge of mental health practice from previous experience
  • Demonstrable experience in assessment of mental health

Knowledge

Essential

  • The ability to use clinical assessment tools and outcome measures effectively and collaboratively
  • Have the ability to discuss, identify and escalate safeguarding issues in a sensitive way to protect those who are vulnerable

Skills

Essential

  • Competent assessment skills
  • Effective analytical and decision-making skills
  • Care planning and Risk assessment knowledge and skills

Other

Essential

  • Ability to travel independently
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Mental Health or Learning Disability Nurse, Occupational Therapist OR Social Worker with the relevant professional registration
  • Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor training (NMC registrants) or Practice Educator (AHP & Social Worker Registrants)

Desirable

  • Higher degree or post graduate certificate in area of clinical / therapeutic practice

Experience

Essential

  • Able to demonstrate an appropriate level of knowledge of mental health practice from previous experience
  • Demonstrable experience in assessment of mental health

Knowledge

Essential

  • The ability to use clinical assessment tools and outcome measures effectively and collaboratively
  • Have the ability to discuss, identify and escalate safeguarding issues in a sensitive way to protect those who are vulnerable

Skills

Essential

  • Competent assessment skills
  • Effective analytical and decision-making skills
  • Care planning and Risk assessment knowledge and skills

Other

Essential

  • Ability to travel independently

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

Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust

Address

Haymills House

Stowmarket

Suffolk

IP141RQ


Employer's website

https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust

Address

Haymills House

Stowmarket

Suffolk

IP141RQ


Employer's website

https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Team Manager

Charlotte Mubaiwa

charlotte.mubaiwa@nsft.nhs.uk

01449745200

Details

Date posted

09 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year £38,682 - £46,580 pa pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours

Reference number

246-WSU7676624

Job locations

Haymills House

Stowmarket

Suffolk

IP141RQ


Supporting documents

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