Senior Mental Health Practitioner
Senior Mental Health Practitioner

Senior Mental Health Practitioner

Torquay Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Conduct mental health assessments and develop recovery plans for patients.
  • Company: Join a supportive team in the Torbay Liaison Psychiatry Service.
  • Benefits: Enhanced pay for unsocial hours, career development opportunities, and flexible working arrangements.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while advancing your mental health career.
  • Qualifications: Professional mental health qualification and experience in multi-disciplinary settings required.
  • Other info: Inclusive employer committed to staff development and community engagement.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Job Summary

We are seeking to recruit experienced and motivated Band 6 Senior Mental Health Practitioners with significant post qualifying experience to join our dynamic team in the Torbay Liaison Psychiatry Service. We welcome applicants who may consider a part time or full time contract and actively support Flexible Working Arrangements within the service.

Please note, we have three permanent and one fixed term post available.

Liaison Psychiatry is the branch of psychiatry that specialises in the interface between medicine and psychiatry in a general hospital setting. Liaison Psychiatry Services nationwide are experiencing significant investment and we are in the privileged position in Devon of being able to further enhance and develop our already well-established Liaison Services at Torbay District General Hospital in Torquay, South Devon. You will have a key role in contributing to the mental health care of people in the general hospital and we welcome applications from all mental health professionals, including Nurses, Occupational Therapists and Social Workers. This is a 24/7 role with an expectation to cover night duties on a rolling rota. In recognition of this, all staff receive enhanced pay rates for unsocial hours. You will be well supported within the team and encouraged to develop your clinical skills and knowledge base within a stimulating learning environment.

Main duties and responsibilities

You will be working within a Senior Mental Health Practitioner role helping support referrals from colleagues within Torbay General Hospital. You will work within a busy team who complete both assessment and consultation work with people who require support for their mental health needs. You will make specialist mental health assessments and devise interventions to help people recover. You will play a key role in a dynamic multidisciplinary team, working with multiple agencies on a daily basis. You will be confident working with supervision, with the knowledge to devise individual recovery plans. It is important that you can communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, families and carers. You will be an experienced mental health professional with a professional mental health qualification (RMN, CQSW / ASW, BSc/Diploma in OT, SROT). The service offers training opportunities including CPD modules and supports staff career and professional development.

About Us

About Devon Partnership Trust We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region and nationally. We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do. Our values include quality of care, improving lives, respect, dignity & compassion. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Details

Date posted: 26 January 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 a year pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Location: Torbay Hospital, Torbay & South Devon Mental Health Unit, Torbay & South Devon

Job Description and Responsibilities

The Liaison Psychiatry Service provides a 24 hour, 7 day a week in and out of hours comprehensive service to patients, clinicians and carers at the local District General Hospital (DGH). This includes specialist mental health assessment and intervention to people of all ages from 18 who present or are admitted to the DGH. The service offers a specialist consultation-liaison function to referring clinicians and clinical teams, assisting in decision making and providing education to staff, with a range of psychosocial treatments for inpatients. Staff represent the Devon Partnership Trust in the general hospital setting and maintain good working relationships between the organisations.

Key aims include forming a clear care pathway, improving quality of mental health care, reducing length of stay, preventing admissions, managing risk and measuring health outcomes. A significant portion of presentations involve acts of self-harm and suicidal behaviour.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Contribute to the team and engage with stakeholders including staff, service users, carers and other agencies.
  • Convey complex information to patients, families, carers and multi-disciplinary teams to ensure coordinated care.
  • Prioritise referrals, plan and coordinate interventions, and provide specialist advice to referrers and staff.
  • Participate in safeguarding adults and children; act in an advisory role on clinical policies for adult mental health.
  • Develop and review care plans, risk assessments and management strategies; work with supervision to refine formulations.

Planning and Organisational Skills

  • Attend management and professional meetings as directed by line manager; plan and coordinate day-to-day workload with service needs.
  • Plan and organise case conferences with other agencies; ensure integrated and coordinated interventions.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

  • Undertake bio-psycho-social assessments, develop formulations and identify onward care pathways; adjust plans as needed.
  • Know own limitations and seek supervision when necessary.

Research and Development

  • Participate in research and development aligned with service delivery and development.

Freedom to Act

  • Work without direct supervision and take accountability for own actions; ensure tasks delegated are performed by appropriately skilled staff.
  • Operate within service policies and specifications.

Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy

  • Develop care for service users in the DGH, including assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation; involve service users and carers actively.
  • Triage/referrals and advise on eligibility criteria; provide specialist advice to referrers and MDTs; participate in safeguarding.
  • Contribute to interpreting clinical, professional and technical policies; appraise and implement evidence-based practices.

Policy and Service Development

  • Participate in audits and research; contribute to clinical governance and policy development; collaborate on policies and procedures within DPT and the DGH.

Finance, Equipment and Other Resources

  • Responsible for care of own equipment.

Human Resources, Supervision and Training

  • Supervision of junior staff; provide clinical supervision; coordinate team activities and handovers; mentor students.
  • Lead in absence of the team leader; participate in clinical and managerial supervision and annual PDR; support staff in managing complex cases in the DGH.
  • Deliver and participate in staff training; keep Core and Essential Training up to date.

Information Resources and Administrative Duties

  • Maintain up-to-date clinical records in line with procedures.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

  • A professional mental health qualification (e.g., RMN, CQSW/ASW, BSc/Diploma in OT) and current registration with a professional body (e.g., NMC).

Desirable

  • Postgraduate qualification relevant to the specialism; Clinical Supervision qualification; Mentorship qualification.
  • Experience in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment; assessment experience (mental health & risk).
  • Desirable additional experience in community mental health, user involvement, or primary care settings.

Disclosures and Sponsorship

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure to the DBS will be required. Applications from job seekers requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered. Details on UK Visas and Immigration requirements are available in the original posting.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer: Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Address: Psychiatric Liaison Service, Torbay Hospital, Torbay & South Devon Mental Health Unit, Torbay, Devon, TQ2 7AA
Employer\’s website: https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/

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Senior Mental Health Practitioner employer: Islet Systems

Join our dedicated team at the Torbay Liaison Psychiatry Service, where we prioritise a supportive work culture and professional growth. As a Senior Mental Health Practitioner, you'll benefit from enhanced pay rates for unsocial hours, flexible working arrangements, and access to continuous professional development modules, all while making a meaningful impact in the community. We are committed to inclusivity and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, ensuring a rich and collaborative environment for all staff.
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Contact Detail:

Islet Systems Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Mental Health Practitioner

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the mental health field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of current mental health practices and policies. Be ready to discuss your experience with multidisciplinary teams and how you've handled complex cases in the past.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your passion for mental health! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've made a difference in someone's recovery journey. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares.

✨Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Mental Health Practitioner

Mental Health Assessment
Recovery Planning
Intervention Delivery
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Clinical Decision Making
Clinical Record Keeping
Safeguarding
Clinical Governance
Research Participation
Supervision of Junior Staff
Mentorship
Community Mental Health Experience
Risk Assessment

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Mental Health Practitioner role. Highlight your relevant experience in mental health assessments and working with multidisciplinary teams, as this will show us you’re a great fit for our service.

Showcase Your Qualifications: Don’t forget to mention your professional mental health qualifications and current registration. We want to see how your background aligns with what we’re looking for, so be clear about your credentials!

Be Specific About Your Experience: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific examples that demonstrate your skills in complex case management and collaboration with external agencies. This will help us understand how you can contribute to our team.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!

How to prepare for a job interview at Islet Systems

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your mental health knowledge, especially around assessments and recovery plans. Be ready to discuss specific cases you've worked on and how you approached them, as this will show your expertise and experience in the field.

✨Show Your Team Spirit

Since the role involves collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, be prepared to talk about your experience working with different professionals. Share examples of how you've successfully consulted with others and contributed to decision-making processes.

✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to complex mental health cases. Think through your responses ahead of time, focusing on your problem-solving skills and how you would support both patients and colleagues in those scenarios.

✨Highlight Your Supervision Skills

If you've had experience supervising or mentoring junior staff, make sure to mention it. Discuss how you’ve supported their development and what strategies you used to foster a positive learning environment, as this is key for the role.

Senior Mental Health Practitioner
Islet Systems
Location: Torquay

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