Mental Health Practitioner

CAMHS East are offering an exciting 12 month secondment opportunity to cover maternity leave. This role provides an excellent chance to "try before you buy" and gain firsthand experience of working within a community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, making a real difference to young people and their families across the local area. As a Senior Mental Health Practitioner, you will be a key member of the multidisciplinary CAMHS East team, delivering high quality assessment, intervention, consultation and risk management for children and young people with moderate to severe mental health needs. The post is community based, working across settings in East Somerset, and involves close partnership working with families, education, social care, health and voluntary sector colleagues. Main duties of the job

• Undertake comprehensive mental health and neurodevelopmental assessments for children and young people referred to CAMHS East
• Deliver evidence based, psychologically informed interventions using a collaborative, recovery focused and trauma informed approach
• Manage a caseload of children and young people with complex and high risk presentations
• Provide consultation, advice and guidance to colleagues within CAMHS and the wider professional network
• Contribute to positive risk assessment and risk management planning
• Work closely with families and carers, ensuring they are supported, informed and actively involved
• Participate in multiagency meetings, care planning and joint decision making
• Contribute to service development, evaluation and quality improvement activity
• Provide supervision, mentoring or informal support to junior staff, as agreed with the Team Manager, The post holder will work as part of the CAMHS East multi disciplinary team to ensure children and young people receive the highest possible standard of care. You will provide assessment, treatment, consultation and clinical guidance in line with evidence based practice and service priorities.
You will analyse complex presentations, including risk, emotional dysregulation and neuro developmental needs, and formulate recommendations to inform intervention planning. The role requires confident clinical judgement, professional curiosity and the ability to work effectively under pressure. Strong multiagency working is central to this role. You will liaise closely with education providers, social care, acute paediatrics, primary care, police and thirdsector organisations to support coordinated care around the child or young person. You will contribute to clinical leadership within the team, supporting reflective practice, traumainformed approaches and a learning culture. There will be opportunities to develop skills in consultation, coaching and professional supervision. The role also includes maintaining accurate clinical records, producing highquality reports, participating in audits and engaging in ongoing professional development and supervision. A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes are required, as this is a community based role. Job description, The post holder will work as part of the CAMHS East multi disciplinary team to ensure children and young people receive the highest possible standard of care. You will provide assessment, treatment, consultation and clinical guidance in line with evidence based practice and service priorities. You will analyse complex presentations, including risk, emotional dysregulation and neuro developmental needs, and formulate recommendations to inform intervention planning. The role requires confident clinical judgement, professional curiosity and the ability to work effectively under pressure. Strong multiagency working is central to this role. You will liaise closely with education providers, social care, acute paediatrics, primary care, police and thirdsector organisations to support coordinated care around the child or young person. You will contribute to clinical leadership within the team, supporting reflective practice, traumainformed approaches and a learning culture. There will be opportunities to develop skills in consultation, coaching and professional supervision. The role also includes maintaining accurate clinical records, producing highquality reports, participating in audits and engaging in ongoing professional development and supervision. A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes are required, as this is a community based role.


• Recognised professional qualification at degree or equivalent level in Nursing, Occupational Therapy or Social work
• Registration with the appropriate professional body
Desirable
• Evidence of continuous post-qualifying professional development
• Post-qualifying training in therapeutic interventions
• Have a Recognised qualification in assessing autism
Experience Essential
• Experience and understanding of Safeguarding Children and other relevant legislation and policies
• Experience of multi-agency working
Desirable
• Experience of working with children and young people., Knowledge of a wide range of evidence based treatment/therapeutic interventions
• Knowledge and experience of risk assessment and risk management planning with high risk young people
• Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service
Desirable
• Knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders and Neurodevelopmental disorders in children and young people, and their impact on both the client group and their families/carers
• Knowledge and understanding of RCPA (previously ICPA)
Person Specification Qualifications Essential
• Recognised professional qualification at degree or equivalent level in Nursing, Occupational Therapy or Social work
• Registration with the appropriate professional body
Desirable
• Evidence of continuous post-qualifying professional development
• Post-qualifying training in therapeutic interventions
• Have a Recognised qualification in assessing autism
Experience Essential
• Experience and understanding of Safeguarding Children and other relevant legislation and policies
• Experience of multi-agency working
Desirable
• Experience of working with children and young people., Knowledge of a wide range of evidence based treatment/therapeutic interventions
• Knowledge and experience of risk assessment and risk management planning with high risk young people
• Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service
Desirable
• Knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders and Neurodevelopmental disorders in children and young people, and their impact on both the client group and their families/carers
• Knowledge and understanding of RCPA (previously ICPA)
  
  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
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work. We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds. Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London. The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future. Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.