Overview
In this role, you join PALMS, a dynamic, multidisciplinary team delivering tailored mental health support for children and young people with intellectual disability and/or autism. You will conduct assessments and apply evidence-based interventions to help CYP and families across Hertfordshire, contributing to a flexible, cross-service approach. You’ll work within a trusted NHS setting, supporting behaviours of concern, family involvement, and holistic care pathways. The position offers development through supervision, CPD, and close MDT collaboration to improve outcomes for CYP and their families.
Pay / Benefits
- Regular clinical and professional supervision
- Regular appraisal and personal development planning
- Continuing professional development opportunities
- Flexible working options (including part-time, job share)
- Opportunities to work with a multi-disciplinary team
- Driving licence and access to a car for business purposes
Responsibilities
- Conduct assessments and deliver a range of evidence-based interventions for CYP with intellectual disability and/or autism
- Provide individual therapy, group workshops, and family-focused sessions (e.g., parent as therapist, family clinic)
- Collaborate with a wide network of services to support CYP and families and promote coordinated care
- Engage in multidisciplinary team meetings, supervise and mentor other PALMS staff when appropriate
- Maintain high professional standards in emotive settings and manage complex cases with professional judgment
- Embrace flexible working arrangements and contribute to care planning
- Support delivery of interventions aligned with STOMP/STAMP and Transforming Care Agendas
- Ensure safeguarding and risk management are integrated into all clinical activity
Key requirements
- Professional registration in a relevant specialty
- Experience working with CYP who have intellectual disability and/or autism
- Significant experience in risk assessment within mental health or learning disability settings
- Ability to identify appropriate evidence-based interventions for mental health and behaviours that challenge
- Autonomous clinical decision-making in complex cases
- Full UK driving licence and access to a car for business purposes
- Willingness to travel to alternate locations to provide services
- Current UK professional registration (as per NHS Careers)
- Collaborative and networked working style
- Resilience in emotive and high-pressure environments
- Strong communication with service users, carers, and colleagues
- Identification and application of evidence-based interventions for mental health and behaviours that challenge
- Advanced risk assessment and safeguarding
- Knowledge of child development and CAMHS approaches
Mental Health Practitioner in Watford employer: National Health Service
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for healthcare professionals in North Wales. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on compassionate care, staff have access to continuous professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in both acute and community paediatrics. The Health Board's integrated approach ensures that employees are part of a dynamic team dedicated to improving health outcomes for the local population.
