Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Advanced Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 30 November 2025

Job summary

Are you an experienced Mental Health professionallooking for anicherolein a supportive specialist CAMHS team?

Wouldyou thrive working within a multi-disciplinarysystemprovidingahigh qualitymental health service to young people in West Berkshire?

We haveanopening for someoneto joinourCAMHSHealth and Justice Teamfor a12-monthfixed term contract.

In this role you will work with specific young people whohave offended or are at risk of offending within yourlocality. You willmanage your own caseload, complete risk assessments and supportand work withcaseworkersas well as young people. Your time will bespentworkingbetween3 local authorities as well as some remote working.

There will be excellent in-house induction, high quality supervision and training opportunities including working alongside other highly skilled teams - for example opportunities to work with forensic CAMHS.

You will need to havearecognised professional registration anddemonstrableexperience working withinChildren and Young People's mental health services.

We are interested to hearfrom applicants at Band 6 and Band 7 level.

Weare consideringfulltimeand part time applicants for this role.

Main duties of the job

  • To deliver a high-quality mental health service to young people known to Reading, West Berkshire and Wokingham YJTs.

  • To provide specialist assessment and therapy, offer consultation on clients' care to non-clinical colleagues and to other, non-professional carers, working autonomously within professional guidelines and the overall framework of the team's policies and procedures.

  • To work in a trauma informed way. This means facilitating and collaborating in multiagency formulation meetings, devising multiagency intervention plans and offering ongoing supervision and coaching to professionals so that interventions are therapeutic, streamlined and developmentally appropriate for the young person.

  • To work autonomously within professional guidelines and exercise responsibility for the systematic governance of clinical practice within the YJTs.

  • To utilise research skills to contribute to audit, policy and service development and research. To propose and implement policy changes within the area served by the team.

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

  • Caring for and about you is our top priority
  • Committed to providing good quality, safe services
  • Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

  • Flexible working options to support work-life balance
  • 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
  • Generous NHS pension scheme
  • Excellent learning and career development opportunities
  • 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
  • Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
  • Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
  • Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
  • Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
  • Free parking across Trust sites

FOR SECONDMENT ROLES ONLY - If the secondment role becomes permanent, the successful candidate may be offered the permanent position.

Details

Date posted

06 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£50,008 to £56,908 a year per annum ( Incl of HCAS)

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-TAP-CFS595

Job locations

CAMHS Health and Justice , Erlegh House

University of Reading

Reading

RG6 6BZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

1. A core qualification and recognised professional registration e.g. NMC, HCPC

2. Experienced in working with Children and Young Peoples mental health services

3. Demonstrable experience in working with mental health complex needs

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call: Liudmila Knowles on or email: liudmila.knowles@berkshire.nhs.uk 01189046780 wholl be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

1. A core qualification and recognised professional registration e.g. NMC, HCPC

2. Experienced in working with Children and Young Peoples mental health services

3. Demonstrable experience in working with mental health complex needs

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call: Liudmila Knowles on or email: liudmila.knowles@berkshire.nhs.uk 01189046780 wholl be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • Recognised and relevant qualification as below: Registered mental health nurse Or Social Worker Registration with NMC or HCPC or other recognised professional body.
  • Significant post-qualifying experience of undertaking comprehensive assessment of mental health needs, developing care plans and offering appropriate support based on the formulation of presenting difficulties.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working within mental health settings supporting children, adolescents and their families.

Desirable

  • A supervisory qualification in the relevant professional discipline.
  • Experience of working in forensic settings.
  • Experience of representing mental health within the context of multi-agency care.
  • Experience of assessing and treating clients across a wide range of care settings.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Knowledge and skills to assess acute mental health crisis and deliberate self-harm.
  • Demonstrates up to date knowledge of legislation and national strategies and requirements for CAMHS.
  • Experience of managing complex caseloads and applying a range of interventions.
  • Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues across agencies.
  • Ability to work to timescales and comfortably cope in pressurised situations, applying practical problem solving skills in everyday and complex situations.
  • Ability to work autonomously and effectively in a team, reprioritising work to reflect changing needs.
  • Competent IT skills and the ability to navigate around various systems and software packages (such as outlook, databases, e.g. RiO, MS Office and internet).

Desirable

  • Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour.
  • Ability to motivate and inspire others and to support others to develop increased skill and competence.
  • Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
  • Knowledge of the Youth Justice system

Other

Essential

  • Able to maintain professional boundaries and conduct.
  • Car owner/driver and possess full UK driver's licence or evidence of ability to travel independently between locations to fulfil the requirements of the position.

Desirable

  • Supportive approach towards colleagues and service users. Enthusiastic, self-motivated team player.
  • Able to negotiate, be confident and assertive.
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • Recognised and relevant qualification as below: Registered mental health nurse Or Social Worker Registration with NMC or HCPC or other recognised professional body.
  • Significant post-qualifying experience of undertaking comprehensive assessment of mental health needs, developing care plans and offering appropriate support based on the formulation of presenting difficulties.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working within mental health settings supporting children, adolescents and their families.

Desirable

  • A supervisory qualification in the relevant professional discipline.
  • Experience of working in forensic settings.
  • Experience of representing mental health within the context of multi-agency care.
  • Experience of assessing and treating clients across a wide range of care settings.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Knowledge and skills to assess acute mental health crisis and deliberate self-harm.
  • Demonstrates up to date knowledge of legislation and national strategies and requirements for CAMHS.
  • Experience of managing complex caseloads and applying a range of interventions.
  • Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues across agencies.
  • Ability to work to timescales and comfortably cope in pressurised situations, applying practical problem solving skills in everyday and complex situations.
  • Ability to work autonomously and effectively in a team, reprioritising work to reflect changing needs.
  • Competent IT skills and the ability to navigate around various systems and software packages (such as outlook, databases, e.g. RiO, MS Office and internet).

Desirable

  • Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour.
  • Ability to motivate and inspire others and to support others to develop increased skill and competence.
  • Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
  • Knowledge of the Youth Justice system

Other

Essential

  • Able to maintain professional boundaries and conduct.
  • Car owner/driver and possess full UK driver's licence or evidence of ability to travel independently between locations to fulfil the requirements of the position.

Desirable

  • Supportive approach towards colleagues and service users. Enthusiastic, self-motivated team player.
  • Able to negotiate, be confident and assertive.

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).

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

CAMHS Health and Justice , Erlegh House

University of Reading

Reading

RG6 6BZ


Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

CAMHS Health and Justice , Erlegh House

University of Reading

Reading

RG6 6BZ


Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Talent Acquisition Partner

Jamie Poole

jamie.poole@berkshire.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

06 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£50,008 to £56,908 a year per annum ( Incl of HCAS)

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-TAP-CFS595

Job locations

CAMHS Health and Justice , Erlegh House

University of Reading

Reading

RG6 6BZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)