Early Intervention Practitioner

The role of the Early Intervention Practitioner is to work in partnership with the 'At Risk Mental State' (ARMS) and First Episode of Psychosis (FEP) service users, wrapping care and treatment around hope and aspirations informing their care and recovery plans. They will demonstrate an understanding of clinically evidenced interventions for this care group, including education and support, carer and family psycho-education and risk minimisation planning. The post holder will work flexibly at all times to promote the safety and wellbeing of service users and their families/carers, and will assess, plan and implement care, providing specialist advice.

We are seeking to recruit 1 part-time role for 22.5 hours a week, a dynamic Band 6 Care Coordinator who can be a Nurse, Social Worker (SW) or Occupational Therapist (OT) based at Hammersmith and Fulham Early Intervention in Psychosis Team. The individual must be enthusiastic, committed, compassionate and experienced with a good knowledge of the issues and guidance around working with psychosis. In addition, they should have some experience of working with young people and adults aged 14 to 65 years with a range of complex mental health issues. This role would be to cover additional demands within the service. It will be ideal for staff who are looking for flexible working whilst developing their professional skills.

Main duties of the job

• To undertake assessments of individuals and their families in the designated care group with complex health presentations, including those service users presenting with higher levels of risk.
• They will work alongside the service user to develop their care plan along the recovery principles.
• To offer specialist assessment and advice where required.
• To assess, manage and regular review ongoing risks as identified during the assessment, ensuring that this is done in collaboration with the service user and carers.
• To ensure that clinical practice is evidence based and consistent with relevant NICE guidelines and Trust policies and procedures.
• To provide supervision of junior staff and trainees where appropriate (mentorship and preceptorship qualifications).
• To act within the relevant Code of Conduct dependent on your Registration Body.

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 in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board, and leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications & Training

• Registered Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Social Worker with current professional registration
• Evidence of recent and ongoing continuous professional development

Desirable

• Training in CBT-informed or psychosocial interventions
• Training or experience in family or carer work
• Relevant specialist training (e.g. CAARMS or equivalent)
• Evidence of recent or ongoing continuous professional development

Experience

• 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

Desirable

• 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

• 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 outcome measures and tools used to support evidence-based EIP practice

Skills & Abilities

• 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

Desirable

• Ability to contribute to service development, audit or quality improvement work

Personal Attributes

• Effective interpersonal skills
• Commitment to working with people experiencing early psychosis and their families/carers
• 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

Desirable

• Cultural competence and sensitivity when working with diverse communities

Disclosures

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A submission for Disclosure to the DBS will be made to check for any previous criminal convictions. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.