Early Intervention Practitioner

We are seeking an experienced Band 6 clinician (RMN, OT or Social Worker) with Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) experience or, at minimum, strong community mental health practice. The practitioner will work full-time, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, based at the Heart of Hounslow. If you have been working on the wards and are looking for an opportunity to switch to community working - do consider applying, whether at band 5 or band 6.

The role requires confidence in holding a community caseload, completing mental health and risk assessments, and delivering evidence-based, recovery-oriented interventions for individuals experiencing a First Episode of Psychosis or At Risk Mental State. The practitioner must be able to act as a Care Coordinator, develop collaborative care plans, and maintain regular contact with service users, carers and partner agencies.

Main duties of the job

• Strong skills in engagement, risk management, psychosocial work and partnership liaison are essential.
• The practitioner should be able to work autonomously while contributing effectively to the wider MDT, demonstrating excellent communication, good organisational skills and alignment with the EIP ethos of early detection, timely intervention and hope-focused recovery.
• Experience in supervising junior staff, working under CPA, and supporting medication monitoring or psychoeducation is desirable.
• Candidates must hold current professional registration and be able to work flexibly and confidently in a busy community setting.

About us

West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over 500m.

The Trust is rated as 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'. The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

Person Specification

• Qualifications & Training
• Essential: Registered Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Social Worker with current professional registration.
• Evidence of recent and ongoing continuous professional development.
• Training in CBT-informed or psychosocial interventions.
• Desirable: Training or experience in family or carer work; Relevant specialist training (e.g. CAARMS or equivalent).
• Experience
• Essential: Post-qualification experience working in mental health services.
• Experience of working within an Early Intervention in Psychosis service, or with people experiencing first episode psychosis.
• Experience of holding and managing a community caseload.
• Experience of care coordination under CPA or key worker arrangements within community mental health services.
• Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience of risk assessment and risk management in the community.
• Experience of working collaboratively with other agencies and services.
• Experience of working with younger adults or within a young-person focused service.
• Experience of working with At Risk Mental State (ARMS) presentations.
• Experience of providing family interventions or supporting carers.
• Experience of contributing to audit, service evaluation or quality improvement activity.
• Experience of supporting students or junior colleagues.
• Knowledge
• Essential: Knowledge of the Early Intervention in Psychosis model, including access and waiting time standards, ethos and evidence base.
• Knowledge of NICE clinical guidance relevant to first episode psychosis.
• Sound knowledge of mental health disorders, particularly psychosis, and their interaction with physical health and wellbeing.
• Knowledge of assessment, formulation and care planning within EIP services.
• Knowledge of risk assessment, risk management and positive risk taking.
• Understanding of Care Programme Approach (CPA), the Mental Health Act and Care Act as they apply to EIP.
• Understanding of recovery-oriented and strengths-based approaches to care.
• Desirable: Knowledge of psychosocial and psychological interventions used within EIP.
• Knowledge of outcome measures and tools used to support evidence-based EIP practice.
• Skills & Abilities
• Essential: Ability to undertake comprehensive mental health and psychosocial assessments.
• Ability to coordinate care and maintain oversight of care and risk plans.
• Ability to work autonomously within scope of practice.
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to engage service users and carers in a holistic, recovery-focused manner.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to contribute to service development, audit or quality improvement work.
• Personal Attributes
• Essential: Effective interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to working with people experiencing early psychosis and their families/carers.
• Demonstrates problem-solving and organisational skills.
• Good time management and record keeping skills.
• Commitment to continuing professional development.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage stress appropriately.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of service users.
• Ability to communicate in languages other than English.
• Cultural competence and sensitivity when working with diverse communities.
• Values and behaviours
• Demonstrates behaviours aligned with Trust values, including respectful and compassionate practice, honesty and professionalism, willingness to listen, engage and work collaboratively, leading by example in day-to-day practice.