Mental Health Practitioner - Rail Network

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Band 7 Mental Health Nurse to join Network Rails North and East Route in a unique, multi-agency role aimed at reducing harm and disruption across the railway. Working at the interface of mental health and public safety, you will be embedded alongside British Transport Police and rail industry partners to support the management of incidents involving individuals presenting on the railway infrastructure.

You will carry out clinical risk assessments, with a particular focus on identifying vulnerability and the likelihood of repeat incidents. Working closely with NHS and community mental health services, you will help ensure individuals in crisis are signposted to appropriate support and interventions, with the aim of reducing future risk.

The role will also involve contributing to the development of preventative approaches, sharing insights on emerging trends and risks, and supporting the production of regular reports to inform operational and safeguarding responses across the route.

At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team - you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway.

If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!

Main duties of the job

On average, 259 people lose their lives through suicide on the rail network each year, which is around 4.5% nationally as a method. We employ a range of mitigations to reduce the numbers and resulting trauma and impact to our staff and customers. Research has shown that reducing access to lethal means is the most effective way of preventing suicides but unfortunately due to the nature of the railway and the ease in which it can be accessed, the network remains vulnerable.

The railway infrastructure is frequently impacted by disruptive incidents caused by individuals who present on the rail tracks as well as being in a precarious position, leading to service interruptions. These incidents often result from complex issues such as mental health crises, self-harm, and suicidal behaviour.

You will carry out clinical risk assessments, with a particular focus on identifying vulnerability and the likelihood of repeat incidents. Working closely with NHS and community mental health services, you will help ensure individuals in crisis are signposted to appropriate support and interventions, with the aim of reducing future risk.

The role will also involve contributing to the development of preventative approaches, sharing insights on emerging trends and risks, and supporting the production of regular reports to inform operational and safeguarding responses across the route.

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.