Job Description

Main area

CYP MHST / Access Assistant Practitioner

Grade

NHS AfC: Band 4

Contract

Fixed term: 18 months (temporary contract until 31st December 2026)

Hours

Full time - 37.5 hours per week (this position is a 9 to 5 working pattern, but some occasional early evening and weekend work may be required)

Job ref

373-CYP1426

Site

Catherine House

Town

Crewe

Salary

26,530 - 29,114 per annum

Salary period

Yearly

Closing

09/07/2025 23:59

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to work with the Cheshire Mental Health Support Team (MHST) / Access, providing support to parents and caregivers of children and young people. This is a fixed term contract until March 2027.



Band 4 Assistant Practitioner will work with colleagues in MHST/ Access who align closely with the Children and Young People's Mental Health Services, education settings and professionals supporting children, young people and their families. The post involves working alongside or under close supervision of trained practitioners within the MHST/Access service, providing information, advice and direct work with parents and caregivers, supporting delivery of evidence-based interventions. A key aspect of this role will be to support service users to successfully engage in therapeutic parent led interventions.



This is an exciting time for Children and Young People Mental Health Services so please come and be part of the development. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to join an ever-expanding team.



We are happy to consider part time hours for this position for the success candidate.

Main duties of the job

Band 4 Assistant Practitioner will work with colleagues in MHST/ Access who align closely with the Children and Young People's Mental Health Services, education settings and professionals supporting children, young people and their families The post involves working alongside or under close supervision of trained practitioners within the MHST/Access service Providing information, advice and direct work with parents and caregivers Supporting the delivery of evidence-based interventions Support service users to successfully engage in therapeutic parent led interventions Supporting service evaluations Supporting clinical practitioners in activities which meet the Trust policies and procedures eg. timely record keeping Co-ordination of parent support groups

Working for our organisation

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.



We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton and Liverpool. We also provide specialist services for the North West as a whole.



Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.



As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.



We also offer up to three weeks' induction, with our Prepare to Care programme for all new starters. This aims to give you all the knowledge and guidance to help you hit the ground running with CWP.



Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please download a copy of the job description (see 'documents to download' section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.



At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.



CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust's Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.



Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust's Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trust's Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.



An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.



If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the 'essential' criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer 'YES' to the question: 'Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?'



Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.



The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.



Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of 16 per year applies.



New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.



Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.



Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!

Person specification

#

Qualifications

Essential criteria

NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent #

Knowledge and Expertise

Essential criteria

Knowledge of child-related legislation Ability to write, implement and evaluate Treatment plans. Knowledge of Child Protection workings and practice

Desirable criteria

Working knowledge of specialist therapeutic approaches, e.g. cognitive behaviour therapy. Knowledge of mental health issues #

Experience

Essential criteria

Experience of working with adolescents Experience of working in a team setting.

Desirable criteria

Experience of working within settings relevant to adolescents with additional needs including mental health needs. Experience of working with healthcare professionals / previous experience in the NHS Experience of working in a busy and demanding environment
Applicant requirements


This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Further details / informal visits contact

Name

Jane Henry

Job title

Clinical Lead

Email address

cwp.cheshiremhstadmin@nhs.net

Additional information

Please make initial contact via email, thank you.

If you consider yourself Neurodivergent and need help to complete your application form, please contact

cwp.recruitment@nhs.net

or telephone 01244 393100