Mental Health Practitioner in Huddersfield

Job Summary

Provide assessment and treatment to children and young people with mental health needs. Work autonomously and collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team, consulting with other agencies and professionals. Promote the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people, deliver routine and urgent assessment and interventions using evidence‑based practice, and participate in the ongoing development and audit of the CAMHS service.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct assessment and provide treatment to children and young people with mental health needs.
• Work collaboratively within the MDT and provide consultation for other agencies.
• Promote safeguarding and welfare of children and young people.
• Provide routine and urgent assessment and interventions to referred young people in keeping with evidence‑based practice.
• Support the delivery of a comprehensive CAMHS system and contribute to service development.
• Provide training, consultation and supervision to other service providers, partner agencies and junior staff.
• Participate in clinical audit programmes and report on lessons learned.
• Manage own caseload, accessing support and guidance appropriate to individual need.
• Use IT systems (including Rio) to collect, store and secure high‑quality data.
• Maintain professional registration and engage in annual appraisal and practice development.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g. nursing or allied to medicine).
• Dip SW or relevant mental health professional.
• Membership of a professional body.
• Substantial post‑qualification experience working with children, young people and carers in a mental health or complex care setting.
• Experience of multidisciplinary team working, inter‑agency liaison and supervisory role.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance (NHS Plan, Mental Health Legislation, Children’s Act, Education Act, Working Together, Childrens NSF, Every Child Matters).
• Clinical/therapeutic knowledge and skills in mental health, including assessment, risk management and evidence‑based practice.
• Experience of safeguarding children and young people.
• Effective record‑keeping and report‑writing skills, including care planning and risk assessments.
• Good verbal and written communication, negotiation and problem‑solving skills.
• Effective team‑working skills and ability to manage interdisciplinary tensions.
• IT skills and ability to use a range of information technology systems.
• Current UK professional registration.

Desirable

• Experience of community settings and working in different cultural contexts.
• Knowledge and experience of working with equality and diversity.
• Training and experience relating to specialist CAMHS.
• Experience of delivering training to others.
• Post‑registration qualification (e.g. degree).
• Post‑graduate qualification in mental health (e.g. CBT, Family Therapy, Counselling).
• A teaching and assessing qualification.

Personal Attributes

• Able to work autonomously and as part of a team.
• Commitment to a multi‑agency approach.
• Ability to work and make decisions under pressure.
• Calm, confident, innovative, creative and assertive.
• Clarity of decision-making.
• Willingness to be flexible and adaptable in accordance with changing service priorities.
• Commitment to challenging discrimination and improving accessibility of services.
• Ability to cope calmly in a crisis.
• Demonstrates good self‑care and encourages the same in team members.
• Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day (reasonable adjustments considered for those unable to drive).

Physical Attributes

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post.
• Good sickness record over the previous two years (subject to fairness and equality of opportunity).

Benefits

• Permanent contract, 37.5 hours per week.
• CPD, specialist training and expert supervision.
• Whole‑school approach and training to build a culture of wellbeing.
• Part of a supportive team that prioritises staff wellbeing.

Location

Folly Hall Mills, St Thomas Road, Huddersfield, HD1 3LT.

Equal Opportunities

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, valuing diversity and reflecting the communities we serve.

Additional Information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check required. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.