An exciting role has arisen for a Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join our CAMHS Early Intervention team.

The service has gone though some exciting positive changes which have improved care for young people over recent months. This is a really great opportunity to be part of an evolving and dynamic team making a real difference to children and young people in Somerset.

Is this the ideal role for you?

This exciting role will be crucial to ensuring that young people and their carers receive a comprehensive mental health service and that they receive a holistic assessment and care.

You must be able to demonstrate that you are a team player, as well as able to work autonomously.

You will be expected to contribute actively to the development of this new service and be able to work effectively with the wider systems that young people are in contact with, and other clinically focused services such as MHST, Young Somerset and the other CAMHS teams.

This post is full-time (37.5), but consideration will be given to candidates who would prefer part time (30 hours).

Main duties of the job

This post offers the opportunity to work across the Early Intervention Services, with options to support young people and families through direct work in the community and in triaging referrals.

You'll be responsible for providing comprehensive, holistic psycho-social assessments and interventions for children and adolescents presenting with mental health difficulties.

The CAMHS Early Intervention service is designed to provide young people with expert help from one easy access point and is run by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. This service was created as part of the CAMHs Transformation Plan for Somerset.

The team triage referrals into CAMHS from across the county and provide signposting or where appropriate, early intervention for low to moderate mental health difficulties. They aim to make sure CYP get access to the right level of support or have access to early intervention or additional support before needing the specialist CAMHS services.

About us

The CQC has rated Somerset CAMHS as outstanding.

As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, continuing professional development and regular informal conversations around career progression, annual recognition awards to celebrate and recognise our colleagues achievements throughout the year and not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.

We work hard to make sure that inclusion is part of everything we do. We know that true inclusion means we're able to provide the best care for our patients and provide a fulfilling career for all our colleagues.

The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London - there is truly something for everyone!

We have six active and impactful colleague networks. These networks provide a safe space for colleagues to share their experiences and learn from one another, but also influence change across our trust:

• Multicultural Network
• Women's Network
• Armed Forces' Network
• LGBTQ+ Network
• Lived Experience Network, for colleagues living with disabilities
• Autistic Colleague Network

Job description

Job responsibilities

• Working with colleagues, the post holder may be required to signpost young people and families to appropriate emotional health and wellbeing services.
• You'll develop close working relationships with key partner agencies in their locality, including GP practices, schools, colleges and social care practitioners.
• You'll provide support to other team members and will provide clinical supervision to less senior staff and students.

Please see the attached JD for full responsibilities.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

• oQualification in nursing, social work, occupational or family therapy, child psychology, or equivalent field.
• oTo have advanced training in and/or substantial experience in the use of behaviour and or brief/solution focused and/or family therapy techniques with children and families.
• oEvidence of previous and ongoing commitment to continuous professional development.

Desirable

• oQualification in CBT / Counselling / psychotherapy / behaviour modification / social skills or group therapy

EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Experience of working therapeutically in a clinical setting
• Significant post-qualifying experience of working with children and young people with mental health difficulties

Desirable

• Experience in producing written reports / projects / papers
• Experience of working with people with severe mental health problems
• Experience of working in a CAMHS setting which preferably includes liaising and advice giving to referrers and clients at the point of entry to a service.
• Experience and/or qualifications in one or more of the following areas would be desirable: Cognitive Therapy/Counselling / Psychotherapy Behaviour Modification Social Skills or Group Therapy Family Therapy.
• Experience of working within NHS mental health services

SKILLS

Essential

• 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 Somerset county, to meet the needs of the service.

Desirable

• Risk assessment skills
• Teaching/training skills

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders in children and young people, and their impact on both the client group and their families/carers.
• Knowledge of a wide range of evidence-based treatment/therapeutic interventions.
• To ensure knowledge and skills are maintained at a high level of professional competence.

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Horizon Centre

Swingbridge

Taunton

TA2 8BY

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

184-DC5641615