Job Description

An exciting opportunity has risen within the North East Essex Single Point Access, a front door and triage of referrals into adult mental health services. We are looking an experienced mental health professional to take on the role of a Mental Health SPA Practitioner. We are looking for a part time registered mental health nurse, occupational therapist or social worker. The role requires predominantly office-based working at our SPA office at Severalls House, Colchester, Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm.
Main duties of the job
The SPA Practitioner is responsible for using excellent communication skills to monitor, assess, screen and triage all referrals received into the dedicated NESPA inbox, ensuring these are directed to the most appropriate support in a timely manner. Where necessary SPA will carry out dedicated initial assessments to fully identify service-user's needs, to explore all possible avenues of appropriate support, available within the wider community. To integrate the mental health agenda, build community resilience, support early identification of mental health concerns, and improve general mental wellbeing, through the delivery of training, consultation support, and advice. To evaluate and make decisions on suitability of new referrals. In order to do this effectively, the SPA Practitioner will work closely with referrers, people who access our services (as well as family, friends and carers), and other stakeholders.
About us
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• 8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
• Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Details
Date posted
09 October 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
38,682 to 46,580 a year per annum, pro rata for part time
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
364-A-9426
Job locations
Severalls House
2 Boxted road
Colchester
CO4 5HG
Job description
Job responsibilities
Carrying out a range of assessments including telephone, virtual and face to face.
Travelling to different trust locations and service-users homes to complete assessments
Planning, attending, and contributing to a range of professional and MDT meetings
Keeping the people who access our services as safe as possible through the use of sound clinical skills, effective risk assessments and information gathering.
Ensuring the best possible clinical outcomes by using up-to-date skills and adhering to evidence based policies and procedures
Ensuring the people who contact our services have a good experience by respecting, empowering and working in partnership with people throughout the care planning process
Gather further information from the referrer, patient, their carers and other organisations as necessary to assist in appropriate screening and assessment of referrals.
Demonstrate good risk assessment and management skills, ensuring that decisions made regarding referrals are in the interests of the individual patients needs and their safety, upgrading referrals where necessary.
Be fully conversant with statutory and non-statutory services across Essex
Redirect referrals into specialist mental health services where appropriate, and liaise with these teams as necessary.
Liaise with Primary Care Network practitioners where appropriate
Signpost callers on as appropriate into non-statutory, third sector services.
Respond to referrals within time limits set out
Ensuring that referrals are prioritised depending on the urgency of the referral.
Ensure safe and effective delivery of care / advice to patients and their carers, utilising own knowledge and skills
Provide support, information and education to family members, carers and other professionals who may access the SPA
Build and maintain excellent working relationships with key stakeholders, such as PCN practitioners, GPs, IAPT, and others
Maintain a good public image of the SPA by dealing with all calls and referrals in a professional manner
Be aware of appropriate escalation procedures in relation to difficult calls, i.e. a suicidal patient etc.
Ensure that there is effective liaison / communication pathways with other services
Participate in both clinical and managerial 1:1 support in relation to the role
Participate in the ongoing training / teaching / reflective practice sessions as required
Participate in the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the SPA process, ensuring that all required data is collected
Monitor standards of clinical practice of the SPA, recommending changes where necessary
Ensure that all professional and Trust-wide clinical policies and procedures are adhered to
Be responsible for the maintenance and accurate patient records on relevant patient information system (i.e. Paris, System One, EMIS)
Attending and participating in a range of professional and MDT meetings including Child protection, MARAC, and other safeguarding meetings Job description
Job responsibilities
Carrying out a range of assessments including telephone, virtual and face to face.
Travelling to different trust locations and service-users homes to complete assessments
Planning, attending, and contributing to a range of professional and MDT meetings
Keeping the people who access our services as safe as possible through the use of sound clinical skills, effective risk assessments and information gathering.
Ensuring the best possible clinical outcomes by using up-to-date skills and adhering to evidence based policies and procedures
Ensuring the people who contact our services have a good experience by respecting, empowering and working in partnership with people throughout the care planning process
Gather further information from the referrer, patient, their carers and other organisations as necessary to assist in appropriate screening and assessment of referrals.
Demonstrate good risk assessment and management skills, ensuring that decisions made regarding referrals are in the interests of the individual patients needs and their safety, upgrading referrals where necessary.
Be fully conversant with statutory and non-statutory services across Essex
Redirect referrals into specialist mental health services where appropriate, and liaise with these teams as necessary.
Liaise with Primary Care Network practitioners where appropriate
Signpost callers on as appropriate into non-statutory, third sector services.
Respond to referrals within time limits set out
Ensuring that referrals are prioritised depending on the urgency of the referral.
Ensure safe and effective delivery of care / advice to patients and their carers, utilising own knowledge and skills
Provide support, information and education to family members, carers and other professionals who may access the SPA
Build and maintain excellent working relationships with key stakeholders, such as PCN practitioners, GPs, IAPT, and others
Maintain a good public image of the SPA by dealing with all calls and referrals in a professional manner
Be aware of appropriate escalation procedures in relation to difficult calls, i.e. a suicidal patient etc.
Ensure that there is effective liaison / communication pathways with other services
Participate in both clinical and managerial 1:1 support in relation to the role
Participate in the ongoing training / teaching / reflective practice sessions as required
Participate in the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the SPA process, ensuring that all required data is collected
Monitor standards of clinical practice of the SPA, recommending changes where necessary
Ensure that all professional and Trust-wide clinical policies and procedures are adhered to
Be responsible for the maintenance and accurate patient records on relevant patient information system (i.e. Paris, System One, EMIS)
Attending and participating in a range of professional and MDT meetings including Child protection, MARAC, and other safeguarding meetings
Person Specification
Essential
Essential

• Professional qualification
• Registered with professional body
• Experience in community mental health or Primary Care Mental Health setting

Desirable

• Experience working in Single Point or Access or Access & Assessment setting
• Ability to travel throughout NE Essex

Essential
Essential

• Experience and knowledge of completing holistic mental health assessment

Desirable

• Basic IT and keyboard skills
• Effective verbal and written communication

Person Specification
Essential
Essential

• Professional qualification
• Registered with professional body
• Experience in community mental health or Primary Care Mental Health setting

Desirable

• Experience working in Single Point or Access or Access & Assessment setting
• Ability to travel throughout NE Essex

Essential
Essential

• Experience and knowledge of completing holistic mental health assessment

Desirable

• Basic IT and keyboard skills
• Effective verbal and written communication

Skills Required