Senior Mental Health Practitioner

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

The closing date is 06 May 2025

Job summary

Come and join us in Child Family Health Devon (CFHD) to improve the lives of young people!

We have developed an innovative, integrated model of childrens community services and now looking to appoint enthusiastic individuals to join our friendly and dedicated locality and county-wide professional teams.

As a large community service, you will be joining a strong, enthusiastic and supportive group of professionals who will be your peers, your phone a friend network and your inspiring colleagues. This provides a real sense of professional collaboration at work, that will be an asset to your daily work, your career development and your support network.

We are excited to be advertising for Band 6 Senior Mental Health Practitioners, with a range of skills and experience, across the county. We are keen to hear from professionals interested in supporting our new pathway model.

Join us in this new brand new role within the Neurodiversity Pathway. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of an innovative care pathway for children and young people with neurodiversity. As a key member of our team, you will play an essential role in shaping the future of mental health support in Devon.

Team members are all supported to provide a high quality of intervention and support to young people by the regular provision of supervision, and with ongoing training.

Main duties of the job

You will collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team, conducting specialised assessments to better understand the needs of neurodiverse children and young people.

Beyond assessments, you will provide guidance, advice, and training to colleagues, families, and partner agencies. Your expertise will promote a unified and cooperative approach to supporting neurodiverse individuals.

You will actively participate in team meetings and engage in development opportunities. Your insights will contribute to the ongoing improvement of our services, ensuring they remain effective and relevant.

You will keep yourself informed with the latest research and best practices in the field of neurodiversity and mental health. This knowledge will enable you to provide the most up-to-date and effective support.

You will maintain accurate and confidential records of your interactions, adhering to safeguarding protocols. By prioritising the well-being of children and young people, you will create a safe and nurturing environment for their growth.

Your contribution as a Band 6 Senior Mental Health Practitioner will significantly enhance the quality of care available to neurodiverse children and young people in Devon. By actively participating in the development of the Neurodiversity Pathway, you will shape a brighter future for those who rely on our support.

About us

Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) comprises an Alliance of NHS organisations working together to improve health outcomes for children and young people in Devon.

CFHD provides integrated care and treatment for children and young people across physical and mental health. We are working closely with other organisations and providers to ensure we deliver locality and county-wide based integrated access to all of our services, based on the i-Thrive Framework, in response to consultation with our service users and communities.

CFHD works closely with our local universities of Plymouth, Exeter & the Peninsula Medical School where we support students in clinical training placements and in addition support our own staff to undertake post graduate training.

Our integrated care and treatment has been developed and refined in partnership with children, young people and their families/carers.

Our children and young people say

We would like the people who work for Children and Family Health Devon to be understanding, patient and respectful. They should be trustworthy and make us feel safe and comfortable. It is important that they use their skills and experience to listen carefully in a non-patronising and non-judgemental way. When staff are positive and friendly, they help to create an environment that is informal and without pressure.

Date posted

22 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9369-25-0584-8

Job locations

Integrated Childrens Services

Fishleigh Road

Roundswell Business Park

Barnstaple

Devon

EX31 3UD

Children & Family Health Devon

Bittern Road

Sowton Industrial Estate

Exeter

EX2 7FW

Lescaze Offices

Shinner's Bridge

Dartington

Totnes

TQ9 6JE

South Devon Healthcare

187 Newton Road

Torquay

TQ2 7BA

Job description

Job responsibilities

Full Vacancy details can be found on the attached Job Description/Person Specification. Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification.

Information regarding the Neurodiversity Pathway

The Neurodiversity Pathway is a developing integrated pathway within CFHD. The Integrated Neurodiversity Team provides specialist assessment and intervention for children and young people and their families where the presenting need relates to neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism Spectrum Condition, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Tics and Tourette Syndrome.

The integrated team will bring together a variety of multi-disciplinary colleagues including Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Mental Health Practitioners, including CBT therapists, from a diverse range of backgrounds. This provides an opportunity to work in a team with a strong multidisciplinary ethos as well as collaborating with colleagues in other pathways and working in partnership with other agencies such as local Paediatric teams and education providers.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Information regarding the Neurodiversity Pathway

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

A professional qualification at degree level or equivalent e.g. Psychological profession, Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, or equivalent.
Professional registration/accreditation with a recognised body, e.g. NMC, HCPC, Social Work England, UKCP, BABCP

Desirable

Recognised qualification in evidenced based therapeutic, mental health interventions for children/young people and their families/carers
Post graduate qualification relevant to specialism Clinical Supervision qualification

Experience

Essential

Substantial experience of managing an extensive and complex caseload and working with children/young people presenting with a range of complex mental health presentations.
Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment.
Experience of delivering model based psychological therapy

Desirable

Participation in user involvement in services.
Mentoring students in line with professional requirements

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential

Ability to be mobile across a geographical area in a timely manner and in accordance with service need.
Computer literacy.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

A professional qualification at degree level or equivalent e.g. Psychological profession, Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, or equivalent.
Professional registration/accreditation with a recognised body, e.g. NMC, HCPC, Social Work England, UKCP, BABCP

Desirable

Recognised qualification in evidenced based therapeutic, mental health interventions for children/young people and their families/carers
Post graduate qualification relevant to specialism Clinical Supervision qualification

Experience

Essential

Substantial experience of managing an extensive and complex caseload and working with children/young people presenting with a range of complex mental health presentations.
Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment.
Experience of delivering model based psychological therapy

Desirable

Participation in user involvement in services.
Mentoring students in line with professional requirements

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential

Ability to be mobile across a geographical area in a timely manner and in accordance with service need.
Computer literacy.

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.