Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Mental health practitioner

The closing date is 22 October 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has risen within the North East Essex Single Point Access, a front door and triage of referrals into adult mental health services. We are looking an experienced mental health professional to take on the role of a Mental Health SPA Practitioner. We are looking for a part time registered mental health nurse, occupational therapist or social worker. The role requires predominantly office-based working at our SPA office at Severalls House, Colchester, Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm.

Main duties of the job

The SPA Practitioner is responsible for using excellent communication skills to monitor, assess, screen and triage all referrals received into the dedicated NESPA inbox, ensuring these are directed to the most appropriate support in a timely manner. Where necessary SPA will carry out dedicated initial assessments to fully identify service-user's needs, to explore all possible avenues of appropriate support, available within the wider community. To integrate the mental health agenda, build community resilience, support early identification of mental health concerns, and improve general mental wellbeing, through the delivery of training, consultation support, and advice. To evaluate and make decisions on suitability of new referrals. In order to do this effectively, the SPA Practitioner will work closely with referrers, people who access our services (as well as family, friends and carers), and other stakeholders.

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
£8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Date posted

09 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum, pro rata for part time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

364-A-9426

Job locations

Severalls House

2 Boxted road

Colchester

CO4 5HG

Job description

Job responsibilities

Carrying out a range of assessments including telephone, virtual and face to face.

Travelling to different trust locations and service-users homes to complete assessments

Planning, attending, and contributing to a range of professional and MDT meetings

Keeping the people who access our services as safe as possible through the use of sound clinical skills, effective risk assessments and information gathering.

Ensuring the best possible clinical outcomes by using up-to-date skills and adhering to evidence based policies and procedures

Ensuring the people who contact our services have a good experience by respecting, empowering and working in partnership with people throughout the care planning process

Gather further information from the referrer, patient, their carers and other organisations as necessary to assist in appropriate screening and assessment of referrals.

Demonstrate good risk assessment and management skills, ensuring that decisions made regarding referrals are in the interests of the individual patients needs and their safety, upgrading referrals where necessary.

Be fully conversant with statutory and non-statutory services across Essex

Redirect referrals into specialist mental health services where appropriate, and liaise with these teams as necessary.

Liaise with Primary Care Network practitioners where appropriate

Signpost callers on as appropriate into non-statutory, third sector services.

Respond to referrals within time limits set out

Ensuring that referrals are prioritised depending on the urgency of the referral.

Ensure safe and effective delivery of care / advice to patients and their carers, utilising own knowledge and skills

Provide support, information and education to family members, carers and other professionals who may access the SPA

Build and maintain excellent working relationships with key stakeholders, such as PCN practitioners, GPs, IAPT, and others

Maintain a good public image of the SPA by dealing with all calls and referrals in a professional manner

Be aware of appropriate escalation procedures in relation to difficult calls, i.e. a suicidal patient etc.

Ensure that there is effective liaison / communication pathways with other services

Participate in both clinical and managerial 1:1 support in relation to the role

Participate in the ongoing training / teaching / reflective practice sessions as required

Participate in the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the SPA process, ensuring that all required data is collected

Monitor standards of clinical practice of the SPA, recommending changes where necessary

Ensure that all professional and Trust-wide clinical policies and procedures are adhered to

Be responsible for the maintenance and accurate patient records on relevant patient information system (i.e. Paris, System One, EMIS)

Attending and participating in a range of professional and MDT meetings including Child protection, MARAC, and other safeguarding meetings