Job summary
As we continue to expand the Universal Crisis Team (UCT) in Sunderland and South Tyneside, we are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for motivated and committed individuals to work as a Community Practitioner within either the Working Age Adult and Older Persons Pathway.
We have substantive posts available that are suitable for Registered Nurses, Social Workers or Occupational Therapists, who must have current Professional Registration.
We have 2.80 posts available - 1 full time in the Adult pathway and 1.80 for the Older Persons pathway.
These roles are based at Hopewood Park Hospital in Sunderland, and we cover the localities of both Sunderland and South Tyneside.
If you would welcome the opportunity to become part of a supportive, friendly and welcoming Team with a great range of skills and experience, then this post could be for you. As part of this Team, you will be encouraged to grow and develop in your role and to be involved in service development and improvement.
The successful candidates will be required to work as part of the Sunderland and South Tyneside Older Persons or Working Age Adult Pathway within the Universal Crisis Team, and you will be working collaboratively with other pathways throughout the service if needed.
Main duties of the job
The UCT offers a dynamic and rewarding environment which provides the following functions; urgent assessment for those presenting in mental health crisis, home based treatment, Care Home Early Response (CHER) (within the Older Persons Pathway), facilitating admission to/early discharge from hospital and supporting the coordination of Section 136 referrals.The successful candidate will be expected to complete all aspects of Crisis work, offering a 24/7 service as an alternative to hospital admission. The successful candidate must have experience of working with individuals with a variety of mental health needs and ideally have a track record of clinical experience in working with risk and complexity.
The post holder will be required to provide specialist advice regarding mental health and risk to service users, their families/carers and a wide range of other professionals.
The successful candidates will have responsibility for a shared caseload working within and supported by a skilled and experienced MDT to deliver safe, effective, responsive and compassionate care to our service users.You will ideally have clinical experience in assessing, formulating and managing risk and complexity within mental health/learning disability services. You will be able to develop your skills by providing care and interventions to service users with a range of complex mental health needs with associated risk.
About us
You should have a collaborative and enthusiastic approach as well as the passion and commitment to developing and promoting recovery-based approaches for people accessing our service.
We are a highly supportive and inclusive team where staff wellbeing and flexible working are prioritised. We offer a dynamic and exciting work environment that can be both challenging and rewarding. You would be working within a multi-disciplinary team that are motivated in delivering high-quality care for patients at home, with an aim to provide an alternative to hospital admission.
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
We operate a 24/7 service. Staff have advised this enhances their wellbeing in terms of increased periods of time away from the work environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please do get in touch if you have any questions or would like to come along and meet the Team. We would be delighted to meet with you.
Please find attached job description for full details.
Date Advertised - 6th October 2026
Closing Date - 20th October 2026
We welcome your application.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Professional Qualification and current Professional Registration as, a First Level Registered Nurse (RNMH, RMN, RNLD) or equivalent as an AHP, Social Worker or Clinical Psychologist
- Evidence of post-registration training in clinical/ psychological interventions / skills relevant to the post
- Proven track record of post registration clinical experience
- Mentor Training.
- Training in CPA (Care Programme Approach), Safeguarding, MAPPA (Multi Agency Panel for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults) and Child Protection.
- Up-to-date knowledge/experience of relevant legislation.
Desirable
- Post Registration Qualifications in Psychological Interventions
- Experience of working within a community team.
- Non-Medical Prescribing
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Awareness and understanding of professional accountability, NMC standards and other local and national initiatives.
- 12 to 24 month band 5 qualified nurse experience dependent upon service need.
Desirable
- Understanding of difficult to manage/challenging behaviours.
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Proven ability to complete comprehensive assessment of complex mental health needs
- Risk Assessment Skill & Management
- Identify treatment options as per NICE Guidelines
- High standard of written and verbal communication
- Ability to work under pressure
Desirable
- Clinical Leadership
- Delegation skills
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Hopewood Park Hospital
Waterworks Road
Sunderland
SR2 0NB
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)
