Mental Health Practitioner

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 26 August 2026

Job summary

Mental Health Practitioner Band 6

Forensic Outreach Liaison Service for people with learning disabilities and/or Autism (FOLS LD/A)

Are you driven by a passion to support people with Learning Disabilities and/or Autism to live safer, fuller lives? Have you experience of working in Forensic or Community Healthcare? If that sounds like you, we'd love to welcome you to FOLS LD/A.

My name is Nicola, and I'm the Team Manager for FOLS LD/A. I joined just a year ago and can honestly say I've never worked in a service quite like it - innovative, trauma-informed, and genuinely collaborative.

Since launching in 2019, as a tertiary service, FOLS has continued to grow into a forward-thinking, specialist service, supporting adults with learning disabilities and/or autism who are at risk of entering, or already involved in, the criminal justice system.

This is a role where your work will have real impact - helping individuals, families, and systems come together to reduce risk, build strengths, and create meaningful change.

We don't just manage forensic risk - we understand it, formulate it, and work systematically to reduce it.

FOLS have six core functions: forensic risk assessment, offence-specific intervention, case management of the most complex cases, training and support, consultation, and in-reach support (transition from secure settings).

You’ll join a highly skilled MDT, that learns together, supports each other, and challenges thinking in the best way.

Main duties of the job

We're looking for someone who:

• Has experience of working with learning disabilities and / or autism.


• Experience of working within forensic healthcare an advantage


• Experience of working in the community would be an advantage.


• Feels confident working with complex behaviours and presentations


• Can formulate, lead, and think creatively


• Values teamwork and collaboration

Why Join us?

• High quality supportive supervision.


• Training in a highly specialist field


• Ongoing in-house training to strengthen your skills

Curious? Let's have a conversation

We know roles like this are unique, so I would really encourage an informal chat if you're interested.

Nicola Hanlon - Team Manager, FOLS LD/A

Nicola.Hanlon@swyt.nhs.uk. Mobile -

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

At the time of advertising, this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health, and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the West Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities; we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families, and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means we're accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we're run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical, and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Details

Date posted

12 August 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9378-F0723

Job locations

Newton Lodge, Fieldhead Hospital

Ouchthorpe Lane

Wakefield

WF1 3SP

United Kingdom

Employer details

Employer name

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Newton Lodge, Fieldhead Hospital

Ouchthorpe Lane

Wakefield

WF1 3SP

Employer's website

https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Nicola Hanlon

Nicola.Hanlon@swyt.nhs.uk

Supporting documents

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#s1-Gen

Has experience of working with learning disabilities and / or autism.

Experience of working within forensic healthcare an advantage

Experience of working in the community would be an advantage.

Feels confident working with complex behaviours and presentations

Can formulate, lead, and think creatively

Values teamwork and collaboration

Why Join us?

High quality supportive supervision.

Forensic Outreach Liaison Service for people with learning disabilities and/or Autism (FOLS LD/A)

Are you driven by a passion to support people with Learning Disabilities and/or Autism to live safer, fuller lives? Have you experience of working in Forensic or Community Healthcare? If that sounds like you, wed love to welcome you to FOLS LD/A.

My name is Nicola, and Im the Team Manager for FOLS LD/A. I joined just a year ago and can honestly say Ive never worked in a service quite like it- innovative, trauma-informed, and genuinely collaborative.

Since launching in 2019, as a tertiary service, FOLS has continued to grow into a forward-thinking, specialist service, supporting adults with learning disabilities and/or autism who are at risk of entering, or already involved in, the criminal justice system.

This is a role where your work will have real impact - helping individuals, families, and systems come together to reduce risk, build strengths, and create meaningful change.

We dont just manage forensic risk- we understand it, formulate it, and work systematically to reduce it.

FOLS have six core functions: forensic risk assessment, offence specific intervention, case management of the most complex cases, training and support, consultation and in reach support (transition from secure settings).

Youll join a highly skilled MDT, that learns together, supports each other, and challenges thinking in the best way., We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.