Assistant Practitioner - Children and Adolescent Mental Health

Fixed Term for 12 months Until 30-06-2027 due to funding We are recruiting an Assistant Practitioner (Band 4) to join an innovative Wellbeing Hwb service, providing a same-day mental health response for children and young people experiencing emotional or psychological distress, alongside their parents or carers. The Wellbeing Hwb is a young-person-friendly, non-clinical environment, designed to offer timely, relational support as an alternative to escalation or admission. Working closely with Registered Practitioners and the wider team, you will help children, young people and families make sense of what is happening for them, regain stability, and build confidence in managing distress using a "one at a time" approach. The service operates on a shift-based rota, including daytime, evening and weekend working, to ensure responsive support when it is most needed., You will play an important role in supporting children, young people and families within the Wellbeing Hwb, offering a warm, calm and compassionate welcome. You will explore what matters most to them, developing a clear understanding of their current needs and wellbeing. Using observation, conversation and professional curiosity, you will continuously review emotional safety and respond appropriately, escalating concerns to a Registered Practitioner where needed. You will deliver brief, evidence-informed interventions within your role, including solution-focused approaches, CBT-informed coping strategies and DBT-informed skills, helping young people manage distress, regulate emotions and build confidence. You will support the development of practical, person-centred safety plans, identifying immediate sources of help. Working with Registered Practitioners, you will assist in planning next steps, including signposting or referrals to services such as CAMHS, education, primary care and voluntary organisations. You will maintain accurate records, professional boundaries and a trauma-informed approach at all times. The role includes working within supervision and actively engaging in reflection and training to support ongoing development. Work within delegated responsibilities and supervision frameworks, maintaining professional boundaries, therapeutic relationships and a trauma-informed approach. Engage in supervision, reflection and training to support ongoing development.

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties. We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services. We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers. Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 99 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services