Community Mental Health Practitioner

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and ResponsibilitiesTo assess the health and social care needs of individuals referred to the service, holistically, under the agreed procedures.To conduct specialist mental health assessments and risk assessments and devise appropriate care plans and risk management plans.To provide evidence based therapeutic interventions appropriate to the service users assessed needs.To provide direct assistance, including education and advice, emotional and psychological support to those referred to the team with the aim of promoting re-enablement and recovery.To promote choice and service user involvement in care planning and risk management.To ensure practice is in line with social inclusion and recovery models.To support and work with colleagues, other MDT members and outside agencies collaboratively and in best interests of the service user.To liaise with and provide written and verbal feedback to clients, carers and relevant professionals (e.g. GPs), giving due regard to consent, confidentiality and Information Governance guidelines.To ensure all carers are signposted to access Carer Assessments.

To report concerns identified under Safeguarding Adults procedures.To observe the legal requirements of the current Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act and other relevant legislative frameworks.To maintain accurate, contemporaneous clinical records on all service user contact, in accordance with current Trust documentation standards, and with due regard to confidentiality and Information Governance guidelines.To complete all necessary inputting, training and documentation related to electronic record systems.

Financial ManagementTo use / manage resources within the service efficiently and effectively and to achieve the highest quality service possible within resources available.To maintain a diary of appointments, expense claims and all activities undertaken and make records/statistical returns available for audit.ProfessionalTo ensure practice is delivered in accordance with your relevant professional Code of Conduct and Fitness to Practice Guidance.To maintain Professional Registration with the appropriate regulatory bodyTo maintain a professional portfolio in accordance regulatory body registration requirements.To provide advice and professional expertise to other members of the team, service and partner agencies.Quality AssuranceIn collaboration with the Service Manager/Team manager develop, implement and monitor Clinical Governance and Risk Management Initiatives within the team.Report accidents, untoward incidents and complaints, according to the Trust Policy and participate in resulting investigations and action plans.To ensure the working environment is safe and that equipment and furnishings are maintained in accordance with Health and Safety Regulations.To ensure practice is none discriminatory

DevelopmentalTo actively participate in team meetings and contribute to team and service function and development.In consultation with your manager to participate in professional and other training to meet the Specific objectives as identified in your Individual Performance and Development Review and as the service requires.To maintain own professional standards of practice by maintaining skills, knowledge and competence.AFC 17/6/25 JME-121-25 Community Mental Health Worker Band 6To participate in clinical supervision as required and directed by Trust policy.To actively participate in annual IPDR process.To facilitate service user/carer contributions to service developments.To contribute to the education and development of other team members in own field of expertise.To participate in clinical audit and the application of evidence-based practise with particular relevance to this client group.To be a mentor and assessor of allocated students placed in the team.To undertake mentorship training as directed by team manager.This job description is not exhaustive, but is intended to give an overall picture of the role. Other duties within the general scope of the post may be required from time to time. The duties of the post and job description can be reviewed through the agreed process

General Duties of all post holdersTo undertake any other reasonable duty, which is appropriate to the band, when requested by Senior Staff.To be familiar with and comply with all Trust and departmental policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines.To be aware of and work towards the Trusts strategic goals.

Standards of Business ConductThe post holder will be required to comply with the organisations standing order and standing financial instructions and at all times, deal honestly with the organisation with colleagues and all those who have dealing with the organisation including patients, relative and suppliers.The post holder must ensure that their behaviour and interests inside and outside work do not conflict with their Trust position, duties and/or responsibilities.The post holder must comply with and support the development of the performance standards within the service/department to ensure the service is responsive to and meets the needs of its customers.The post holder will be required to develop and maintain good working relationships with all patients, service users, staff, contractors and where appropriate, members of the public.The Trust aims to maintain the good will and confidence of its own staff, patients, service users, NHS contractors and the general public. To assist in achieving this objective it is essential that at all times, the post holder carries out their duties in a courteous, sympathetic and professional manner.All post holders who are members of a professional body must comply with standards of professional practice / conduct. It is the post holdersAFC 17/6/25 JME-121-25 Community Mental Health Worker Band 6responsibilities to ensure they are both familiar with and adhere to these requirements and maintain their professional membership to the relevant body.

Equality and Diversity and Equal OpportunitiesThe post holder must carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trusts Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies, avoiding unlawful discriminatory behaviour and actions when dealing with colleagues, service users, members of the public and all other stakeholders.The post holder must promote awareness of and respect for equality and diversity in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.The post holder is responsible for treating all staff, patients, service users, NHS contractors and the general public with dignity and respect at all times.SafeguardingAppointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust (PCFT) employees have a statutory duty to promote the welfare of children and young people and to protect adults; enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.Engagement with safeguarding training, in line with responsibilities, is mandatory for all PCFT employees. PCFT employees must familiarise themselves with policies and procedures and adhere to these.It is the responsibility of all staff to report safeguarding concerns and familiarise themselves with who to contact in order to do this or seek further guidance.Professional and Personal DevelopmentThe post holder must ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities by attending the Trust Mandatory Training and Induction Programme.The post holder will be involved in a formal My Yearly Conversations review with their manager at least every 12 months. Once performance / training objectives have been set, the staff members progress will be reviewed on a regular basis, so that new objectives can be agreed and set, in order to maintain progress in the service delivery.The post holder will be expected to take responsibility for their own professional development and will be supported by the Trust to achieve development opportunities as appropriate.

Ediucation and Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Mental Health Nurse / Social Worker / Occupational Therapist
• Current registration with appropriate regulatory body (e.g. NMC, AHPC)
• Completion of appropriate post qualification consolidation e.g. Preceptorship or the assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE)

Desirable

• Qualification in psychologic therapeutic interventions
• Mentorship qualification

Experience

Essential

• Substantial experience of relevant post registration practice
• Experience of managing a caseload
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team setting
• Experience of working with people with a range of severe and complex mental health problems

Desirable

• Experience of clinical supervision of other staff
• Experience of working within a Community setting

Knowledge

Essential

• Good working knowledge of therapeutic assessment techniques and interventions in the management of behaviour of individuals with complex mental health needs
• Knowledge of a range of screening and assessment tools and interventions utilised to support individuals with severe and complex mental health problems
• Comprehensive understanding of Safeguarding adults procedures and practice
• Comprehensive understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act and Care Act
• Comprehensive understanding of roles and responsibilities under the Care Programme Approach
• Understanding of key national and local policies and drivers in relation to adult mental health service

Desirable

• Knowledge of local authority and health commissioning processes

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to undertake the community mental health practitioner role
• Evidence of ability to provide specialist mental health assessment and risk assessment / management and be accountable for decision making
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to engage with and provide therapeutic interventions for this client group and carers
• Ability to prepare, record and complete relevant care records and reports to a professional standard
• Ability to coordinate and delegate the work of junior staff

Work Related Circumstances

Essential

• Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs . Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust's Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies . Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.

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).