At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in mental health crises and provide essential advice and care.
- Company: Join the compassionate team at Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your skills in mental health care.
- Qualifications: Professional registration in mental health or social care and relevant experience required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and teamwork.
The predicted salary is between 32900 - 39900 £ per year.
Go back Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Mental Health Advisor
The closing date is 28 October 2025
Do you have excellent listening skills, enjoy solving problems and genuinely want to make a difference in the lives of others supporting people in mental health crisis? If so, come and join our Mental Health Advisor team! We are launching the national 111, option 2 for mental health and the role of Mental Health Advisor may be the perfect fit for you! 22.5 hours per week.
Our new 111 press 2 for Mental Health service will support patients in crisis across the Durham Tees Valley area to be able to access mental health care by calling the NHS 111 number then pressing option two. Patients will then be able to talk to a mental health advisor and if needed with the mental health crisis line, community mental health teams or mental health hubs throughout the area.
As an NHS 111 press 2, Senior Mental Health Advisor, you will be the first point of contact for people who are struggling with their mental health. You will provide reassurance and comfort. You will provide advice and health information to patients calling 111, supporting callers to access the appropriate level of care. Your role will be to support the Mental Health Advisors within the team with complex calls and challenging, rapidly changing situations.
Main duties of the job
You will work collaboratively with partner agencies to support patients who need onward support and will be able to refer directly into secondary care services such as the local Crisis and Intensive home treatment teams for those who need an urgent assessment. This will ensure there is an easier and smoother way for patients to get support for their mental health.
You will work as part of a team of people who have a passion for helping those in crisis, where no two days are the same. Professional registration within Mental health or social care is essential and experience within an urgent mental health care setting is desirable. Full training in managing calls, supporting patients during a crisis and the use of our systems will be provided.
About us
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.
From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care –our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.
We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.
We’re committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.
We won\’t rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.
Job responsibilities
This is a job where you can truly make a positive impact. It will challenge you and help you grow as a person. You will need to be resilient, to think on your feet and be quick to adapt to changing situations. You will need to be empathetic and patient, able to understand and connect with people who are going through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. You will be part of a supportive and encouraging team that is constantly learning and growing, and you will be given opportunities to develop new skills and take on new challenges.
As a Senior Mental Health Advisor for Tees Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust you will work to improve the lives of people with mental ill health by minimising the impact of their condition through effective clinical leadership and management of the development and delivery of excellent services to promote recovery and wellbeing for all service users.
You will be responsible for the provision of excellence in clinical care, providing clinical leadership to the team and promoting a culture of evidence-based practice whilst acting as shift co-ordinator on a rota basis, ensuring the efficient and effective running of the team.
You will facilitate others in the team to develop competence by providing leadership, day to day supervision, clinical advice and clinical supervision to registered healthcare professionals as appropriate, community support workers / support, time and recovery workers and students.
You will be compassionate in meeting the needs of patients and their carers and will, at all times, promote a positive image of people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities.
You will be responsible for ensuring that MH Advisors recognise the potential for or signs of client harm, abuse and neglect, including poor clinical practice, report all such occurrences and take all reasonable steps to protect the client.
You will also be responsible for ensuring that all staff identify, and report concerns regarding the safeguarding of children who may be at risk. You will also support Mental health advisors to use advanced communication, negotiation and probing skills across a wide range of calls including emotive circumstances or caller aggression.
18 months post qualifying experience including sign off of appropriate preceptorship or competency framework is essential.
For full role responsibilities, please see attached job description.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Current professional registration with an approved professional body.
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
- For registered nurses: MIP, FLIP, ENB 998 Teaching & Assessing in Clinical Practice or City & Guilds 730 Teaching in Adult Education. Must be achieved within agreed timescale.
- Clinical Supervisor
- Recognised sign‑off mentor, clinical educator or equivalent. Must be achieved within agreed timescale.
- Key skills in literacy, numeracy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)
- Experience of completing triage or assessment of people experiencing mental health crisis
Experience
- 18 months post qualifying experience including sign off of appropriate preceptorship or competency framework is essential.
- Experience within the urgent care or community mental health setting
- Experience of clinical risk management and safety planning
- Experience of triage and/assessment of patients experiencing mental health crisis
Knowledge
- Understanding of NHS select option 2 for mental health
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.
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
£38,682 to £46,580 a year pro rata, per annum
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Senior Mental Health Advisor employer: Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Mental Health Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the mental health field, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how valuable personal connections can be in landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to mental health scenarios. Think about how you would handle crisis situations and support patients effectively. We want you to shine and show off your skills!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, let them know why you care about mental health and how you can make a difference. We believe that genuine enthusiasm can set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for dedicated individuals who want to join our mission of improving mental health care in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Mental Health Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for mental health shine through! We want to see how much you care about making a difference in people's lives, so share your experiences and motivations that led you to this field.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Mental Health Advisor role. Highlight relevant experience, especially in urgent mental health care settings, and don’t forget to mention any professional registrations or qualifications that make you stand out!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your skills and experiences at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our Trust there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the role of a Senior Mental Health Advisor and the specific responsibilities outlined in the job description. Brush up on your knowledge of mental health crisis management and the NHS 111 service, especially option 2 for mental health. This will show that you’re genuinely interested and prepared.
✨Show Empathy
During the interview, demonstrate your listening skills and empathy. Use examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully supported individuals in crisis. This is crucial for the role, so make it clear how you connect with people and provide reassurance.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about how you would handle specific situations involving patients in distress. Think through potential scenarios and how you would respond. Practising these responses can help you feel more confident and articulate during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how success is measured in this role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the position is the right fit for you.