Primary Practitioner - Band 5 to 6 Development Post in Wakefield

We are looking for an enthusiastic, compassionate and skilled CAMHS Primary Practitioner to join our Primary Intervention Team within Wakefield CAMHS in a Band 5 - 6 Development role. This is an exciting opportunity to work in the heart of our Single Point of Access (SPA), where you’ll play a key role in the triage and early intervention pathway helping young people and families to get the right help, at the right time. You would be joining the team at an exciting time, where we are working collaboratively to review our front door into the service. We are seeking an experienced and motivated professional with experience in mental health.

You’ll bring:

• Strong communication and decision-making skills
• Confidence in working independently as well as part of a team
• A calm and empathetic approach in fast-paced situations
• A passion for early intervention

We are a supportive and friendly team that values your skills and well-being. Whether you’re looking for a new challenge or embarking on your first Band 5-6 role, we would love to hear from you!

We are based at Drury Lane Health and Well-Being Centre in the centre of Wakefield, with a permanent move planned to Fieldhead Hospital from September 2027.

Main duties of the job

Single Point of Access (SPA): You’ll be the first point of contact for children, young people, families and professionals. You’ll take triage calls, make informed clinical decisions, and offer supportive advice and signposting, helping to support people to navigate what can feel like a daunting system.

2+1 Intervention: You’ll deliver brief, targeted support through our 2+1 approach. One initial assessment and two focused intervention sessions. The role would require you to support children, young people and families to get the right support, and make onward referrals either internally within Wakefield CAMHS or to external agencies. You would need to have excellent risk assessment and triage skills, along with making safeguarding referrals where required. The service is open Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

About Us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the West Yorkshire secure provider collaborative. Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers. We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities. Being a foundation Trust means we’re accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we’re run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust. Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

Details

Date posted: 14 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £48,117 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: C9378-W1539
Job locations: Drury Lane Health & Wellbeing Centre, Wakefield, WF1 2TJ, United Kingdom

Job Description

The post holder will be responsible and accountable for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of skilled interventions to address identified needs and risk for allocated clients on a defined caseload. Works within a multi-disciplinary team as a member of Specialist CAMHS.

KEY RESULT AREAS

• To work as a member of an integrated multi-disciplinary team providing comprehensive assessment of children, young people and their carers, planning, implementing and evaluating skilled interventions to address identified needs.
• To have knowledge of current issues and research relevant to the legislative framework and systems in which children's mental health care is delivered e.g. Children Act, Mental Health Act and Care Programme Approach.
• To contribute to service development within the clinical governance structure and policies and procedures of the Trust, adhering to NHS guidance outlined by the relevant statutory registration bodies.
• Promote the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people.

Professional

• Assesses needs and identifies problems relevant to the care of children and young people referred.
• Devises a plan of care in partnership with the person and carers.
• Implements the planned programme of care to ensure a high standard is achieved.
• Reviews the effectiveness of the care provided and where appropriate initiates any action.
• To be competent in all aspects of care and risk management as defined within appropriate frameworks such as the care programme approach.
• To work collaboratively with clients, carers and multiple other agencies to provide effective care to optimise and maintain the holistic needs of children and young people with a range of emotional and mental health needs.
• Management of enquiries and direct referrals of children and young people in accordance with the service Operational Policy and participates in the in-hours Single Point of Access rota.
• Maintain professional registration and demonstrate commitment to statutory codes of practice and continued professional development requirements.
• To be responsible for the safe custody, transportation and administration of any medicines including I.M. preparations (if appropriate to qualification and/or role).

Education

• Provide peer supervision and support to other team members and to take personal responsibility and supervise junior staff in the maintenance of written and electronic client and Trust records including inputting data related to own work activity.
• To identify any areas of concern to a senior member of staff.
• To have an understanding of and participate in the clinical audit process.
• To have an awareness of evidence-based practice relevant to the specialist area and participate in the education of individuals and target group.
• To participate in the Trust's values-based appraisal system, understanding appropriate training and participating in personal development opportunities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• BAND 5: Registered Mental Health Nurse / Social Worker / Occupational therapist
• BAND 6: First level registered qualification, such as: RMN, CPN, SW, Occupational Therapy or relevant mental health profession.

Desirable

• BAND 5: Experience of mentoring/supporting learners or ability to demonstrate the skills required for effective mentoring. Expectation to work toward Practice Educator.
• BAND 6: Post qualification training in mental health therapy (e.g. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Family & Systemic Therapy). Experience of mentoring/supporting learners or ability to demonstrate the skills required for effective mentoring. Practice Educator/Practice Assessor Preparation Certificate or ability to demonstrate the skills required for effective mentoring.

Training

Essential

• BAND 5: Assessment and care planning skills and risk assessment and risk management.

Desirable

• BAND 5: Relevant Post basic qualification and training.

Experience

Essential

• BAND 5: Can demonstrate skills in assessing and managing people experiencing mental health problems. Can demonstrate skills in assessing and managing risk in a variety of settings. Proven ability in assessing the needs and strengths of people and their carers. Ability to deliver a range of therapeutic techniques which can be incorporated into one-to-one and/or group interventions. Working within an integrated multi-disciplinary environment and co-working with other teams within team meetings, case conferences and professional meetings.
• BAND 6: Comprehension of current legislation in relation to under 18s. An understanding of roles and responsibilities of agencies involved in working with under 18s. Experience of working with children and adolescents with multiple problems and their families/carers. Multi-disciplinary working. Experience of providing consultation/support and training to professional carers working with under 18s. Experience of working with universal service professionals. Experience of supervising/mentoring junior staff. Experience of safeguarding children and young people.

Desirable

• BAND 5: Ability to support colleagues and supervise students/trainees. Experience of working holistically with adults with an emphasis on coexisting mental and physical health needs that impacts on wellbeing.
• BAND 6: Experience of working in universal services. Experience of networking between universal services and CAMHS. Experience of working in a Family and Systemic Team. Knowledge and experience of working with equality and diversity. Experience of delivering training to others.

Special Knowledge/Skills

Essential

• BAND 5: Working knowledge of recent government legislation e.g. Mental Health Act, Health & Safety, Care Programme Approach, Care Act & Safeguarding. Able to work incorporating principles of Clinical Governance. Knowledge of working collaboratively with people and their carers to ensure their involvement in the assessment and care planning process. Shows awareness of cultural diversity and is able to incorporate this into care planning and the delivery of care. Knowledge and evidence of using IT systems. Good written and verbal communication skills. Knowledge of audit processes. Knowledge of carer services/issues/assessment.
• BAND 6: Assessment planning and evaluation of time-limited therapeutic programme skills in mental health and behavioural difficulties including risk assessments. Good verbal and communication skills. Ability to manage own caseload. Good negotiation skills, and problem-solving skills. Customer service orientation. Effective record keeping and report writing skills to include care planning and risk assessments. IT skills. Have good team working skills. Be able to work across disciplines with an ability to predict and manage inter-disciplinary tensions and foster good working practices.

Desirable

• BAND 5: Knowledge of audit processes. Knowledge of carers services/issues/assessment.