At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children's mental health through assessments, interventions, and collaboration with schools.
- Company: Join Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, a leader in mental health support.
- Benefits: Flexible working, NHS pension, generous leave, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Relevant qualifications in mental health or social work and experience with children.
The predicted salary is between 39959 - 48117 £ per year.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Senior Mental Health Practitioner (SMHP) to join our Mental Health Support Team (MHST) within Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. This is a varied and rewarding role, where you will hold a small clinical caseload of children and young people (CYP) with low to moderate mental health concerns, deliver early interventions in line with the CAMHS framework, and provide up to 10 sessions per young person. You will act as a key link between education settings and MHST, offering consultation, advice, signposting, and resources to support a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing. Working closely with schools, GPs, social care, public health, and other partners, you will contribute to improving outcomes for children and young people across your locality.
Main duties:
- Hold a small clinical caseload of CYP with low to moderate mental health needs, delivering short-term, evidence-based interventions.
- Act as a main point of contact between education settings and MHST, offering advice, consultation, and signposting to other services.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with schools, GPs, social care, public health, and voluntary sector partners.
- Support the development and delivery of whole-school approaches to mental health and wellbeing.
- Participate in service evaluation, audit, and clinical governance to ensure high-quality provision.
- Maintain accurate records, reports, and statistical data in line with Trust and professional standards.
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
This is an excellent opportunity to combine clinical practice and partnership work to make a lasting difference to the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in Somerset.
Person Specification:
Qualifications:
- Qualification in nursing, social work, occupational or family therapy, child psychology, or equivalent field.
- Current core registration with a relevant professional body.
- Training in and/or substantial experience in the use of behaviour and or brief/solution focused techniques with children and families.
- Evidence of previous and ongoing commitment to continuous professional development.
Experience:
- Significant post-qualifying experience of working with children and young people with mental health difficulties.
- Previous experience in a children's service which preferably includes liaising and advice giving to referrers and clients at the point of entry to a service.
Additional Criteria:
- Evidence of the ability to assist in supervising, and guiding the administrative support dedicated to this post.
- Ability to work both assertively and with awareness of one's limitations; excellent communication skills with children and young people, carers and referrers.
- Ability to travel around the county and outside base frequently given the community based nature of this post.
- Ability to frequently work from home to complete administration and video meetings.
Senior Mental Health Practitioner- CAMHS MHST in Somerset employer: National health service
The London Ambulance Service NHS Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises patient safety and service improvement. With a strong commitment to employee development, including leadership training and apprenticeship programmes, staff are empowered to grow their skills while contributing to the health of London. The Trust's inclusive culture and focus on quality management ensure that employees feel valued and supported in their vital roles.
