Job Description

The closing date is 22nd Jun 2025

Job summary

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Are you an experienced Mental Health professional looking for a dynamic, flexible, and rewarding opportunity? We are seeking a Band 6 Mental Health Practitioner to join our innovative and supportive Community Mental Health Service as part of the remote multi-disciplinary support and help line.


As a key point of contact for service users, carers, and professionals, you will provide vital telephone and MS Teams-based interventions and support. You will triage referrals, contribute to clinical decisions, and undertake comprehensive mental health assessments using a collaborative, recovery-focused approach. This is an exciting opportunity to support service users with severe and enduring mental health difficulties-while working remotely as part of a compassionate, experienced, and forward-thinking team.


You'll become part of a supportive and pioneering team making a real difference in how community mental health services operate. Your contributions will help ensure timely, accessible care for those most in need-while enjoying the flexibility and work-life balance offered by a remote working model.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

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Act as a primary responder for incoming support calls and referrals from service users, carers, and members of the public. Offer evidence-based interventions and mental health advice via telephone or MS Teams. Triage new referrals, liaising with internal teams, referrers, and other services to gather key information for decision-making. Carry out assessments using a strengths-based, recovery approach that promotes independence and wellbeing. Effectively manage clinical risk and apply positive risk management strategies. Communicate clearly and compassionately with individuals in distress, using de-escalation and reassurance techniques as required. Maintain accurate, timely clinical records on the RiO electronic system. Contribute to ongoing service evaluation, development and audit activities. Liaise with a broad range of professionals and agencies to ensure joined-up, person-centred care. Work autonomously within clear boundaries, with regular management and clinical supervision.

About us

------------


At

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

Flexible working options

to help you balance work and life

NHS pension scheme

for long-term financial security

Generous annual leave allowance

to recharge and relax A strong focus on

career development

to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our

Blue Light Card

, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.


We are proud to foster a

diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce

, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset?

Somerset offers the perfect blend of

idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty

, and

breathtaking coastlines

, with vibrant cities like

Bristol

,

Bath

, and

Exeter

just a short drive away - and only two hours to

London

.


The region is home to excellent

educational facilities

, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all

- the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job description

-------------------


You will be a qualified and registered mental health professional (RMN, Social Worker, or Occupational Therapist) with experience in community mental health services. The role is highly autonomous and ideal for someone who enjoys remote work, fast-paced clinical environments, and a mix of triage, risk assessment, and therapeutic communication.


You will:

Provide timely, compassionate support to people experiencing mental health difficulties, often at points of heightened distress. Use your clinical judgment to assess and manage risk, offering tailored interventions to stabilise and support individuals. Communicate effectively with service users and professionals, including GPs, voluntary agencies, and crisis teams. Act as a senior clinical presence on the support line, helping shape safe and effective responses to urgent and routine contacts. Participate in team meetings, reflective practice, clinical supervision, and quality improvement activities. Support a culture of continuous improvement, learning and collaborative practice within the team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a clinician with strong assessment, triage, and telephone-based communication skills who values innovation, flexibility, and teamwork.

Person specification

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Qualifications

#

Essential

Current registration with relevant professional body RMN, Social Work or Occupational Therapy Qualification Evidence of post qualifying professional development in an acute setting. Evidence of a good standard of literacy/English language skills

Experience

#

Essential

Significant post registration experience in multi-disciplinary community mental health services. Experience of managing risk of clients in crisis. Experience of assessment, care-plan, development, and evaluation in conjunction with clients and carers. Experience and knowledge of working with people with mental health problems.



#

Desirable

Experience of mental health difficulties.

Additional Criteria

#

Essential

Good knowledge of resources and working practices across health and social care.

#

Desirable

Awareness of clinical audit, research and quality improvement for our service. Awareness of national guidance and policy that directs our service delivery.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.


From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Professional Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

For help with your application, contact:

Helen Steer


helen.steer@somersetft.nhs.uk


01935428420

Pay scheme

Agenda for Change

Band

Band 6

Salary

37338.00 to 44962.00 Yearly

Contract

Fixed Term

Duration

1 Year(s)

Working pattern

Full-Time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-2690

Job locations

Summerlands

56 Preston Road

Yeovil

Somerset

BA20 2BN