Job summary
OpCourage North - The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service is a provider collaborative delivering specialist mental health services to Veterans, reservists, and their families across the North of England.
The collaborative is made up of Cumbria, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust as the lead provider, working with NHS partners Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust and Charitable organisation partners Combat Stress and Walking With The Wounded.
The OpCourage service recognises the importance of personalisation of the care journey for veteran and supporting them to access the right care from the right services.
Op COURAGE offers a range of specialist support and treatment for members of the armed forces community, which includes:
- helping to recognise and treat early signs of mental health problems, as well as more advanced mental health conditions and psychological trauma
- providing support and treatment for co-occurring mental health and substance use
- liaising with charities and local organisations to support wider health and wellbeing, such as help with housing, relationships, finances and employment
- referring to other NHS services, where needed
- recognising that family may also need help and care and supporting them to access this.
Main duties of the job
We look forward to welcoming applications for a full time Band 6 Senior Mental Health Practitioner from either registered Mental Health Nurses, Social Workers or Occupational Therapists with at least two years post qualifying experience. We would consider part time working arrangements if there were 2 appointable candidates to fill the full time hours.
This is an opportunity to be a part of a very supportive team, where your contribution and development are highly valued. Successful applicants will work exclusively with individuals who have served with the UK Armed Forces, their families, and non-mobilised reservists.
You will be able to work autonomously and be willing and able to develop your skills and knowledge for this specialist role. You will be involved in completing holistic assessments and delivering evidence-based therapeutic interventions to people on our caseload. There is a clear flexible framework in relation to specific slots in your working week in order to complete assessment, triage, and clinical intervention time.
The service is committed to developing the skills of practitioners, so there will be ongoing opportunities to work within either assessment or care coordination roles, whilst also having the opportunity to gain further therapeutic skills through training.
About us
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Candidates must have relevant registration with either NMC, HCPC or SWE and have 2 years post qualifying experience including sign off of appropriate preceptorship or competency framework.
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 5th February 2026
Closing date : 19th February 2026
We welcome your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Candidates must have relevant registration with either NMC, HCPC or SWE and have 2 years post qualifying experience including sign off of appropriate preceptorship or competency framework.
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 5th February 2026
Closing date : 19th February 2026
We welcome your application.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Professional Qualification and current Professional Registration as, a First Level Registered Nurse (RNMH, RMN, RNLD) or equivalent as an AHP, Social Worker or Clinical Psychologist
- Evidence of post-registration training in clinical/ psychological interventions / skills relevant to the post.
- Mentor Training.
- Proven track record of post registration clinical experience relevant to the post.
- Training in CPA (Care Programme Approach), Safeguarding, MAPPA (Multi Agency Panel for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults) and Child Protection.
- Up-to-date knowledge/experience of relevant legislation.
Desirable
- Post-graduate qualification in a relevant area
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- 12 to 24 month band 5 qualified nurse experience dependent upon service need.
- Awareness and understanding of professional accountability, NMC standards and other local and national initiatives.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a community environment
- Providing clinical supervision to individuals or groups as professionally appropriate.
- Quality improvement activities
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Proven ability to carry out and provide comprehensive written assessments of individuals with complex mental health needs.
- Risk Assessment and Risk Management / Safety Planning skills.
- Demonstrate an understanding of effective & appropriate treatment options including a range of evidence based clinical approaches as identified in N.I.C.E. Guidance).
- Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Evidence of a high level of professional, organisational and leadership skills (self & others).
- Ability to adapt within a changing environment.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
Desirable
- Understanding of psychological models of care and treatment
- Clinical Governance and its application in practice
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Professional Qualification and current Professional Registration as, a First Level Registered Nurse (RNMH, RMN, RNLD) or equivalent as an AHP, Social Worker or Clinical Psychologist
- Evidence of post-registration training in clinical/ psychological interventions / skills relevant to the post.
- Mentor Training.
- Proven track record of post registration clinical experience relevant to the post.
- Training in CPA (Care Programme Approach), Safeguarding, MAPPA (Multi Agency Panel for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults) and Child Protection.
- Up-to-date knowledge/experience of relevant legislation.
Desirable
- Post-graduate qualification in a relevant area
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- 12 to 24 month band 5 qualified nurse experience dependent upon service need.
- Awareness and understanding of professional accountability, NMC standards and other local and national initiatives.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a community environment
- Providing clinical supervision to individuals or groups as professionally appropriate.
- Quality improvement activities
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Proven ability to carry out and provide comprehensive written assessments of individuals with complex mental health needs.
- Risk Assessment and Risk Management / Safety Planning skills.
- Demonstrate an understanding of effective & appropriate treatment options including a range of evidence based clinical approaches as identified in N.I.C.E. Guidance).
- Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Evidence of a high level of professional, organisational and leadership skills (self & others).
- Ability to adapt within a changing environment.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
Desirable
- Understanding of psychological models of care and treatment
- Clinical Governance and its application in practice
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).
