Job Description

Main area

Outreach Practitioner, Seren Lodge Mother and Baby Unit

Grade

Band 6

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Part time - 30 hours per week

Job ref

373-SMH2363-A RR

Site

Seren Lodge Mother and Baby Unit

Town

Chester

Salary

37,338 - 44,962 per annum pro rata

Salary period

Yearly

Closing

21/07/2025 23:59

Job overview

We offer a relocation package of up to 8,000



The relocation package is for anyone who would need to relocate in order to take up employment with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership. Terms and conditions apply.



Seren Lodge Mother and Baby Unit, an exciting collaboration between NHS England and NHS Wales, is due to open in Autumn 2025 on the grounds of the Countess of Chester Health Park.



Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) are looking for enthusiastic, motivated and dedicated Band 6 Outreach Practitioners to join the Mother and Baby Unit team. We are planning for the new MDT to commence in role 3 months prior to opening to enable a robust and supportive induction to take place.



The Mother and Baby Unit is a specialist provision for women with mental health problems during pregnancy and/or in the tear after their baby is born. Patients in the postnatal period will have their babies with them during their time as an inpatient on the Mother and Baby Unit. Seren Lodge will be an 8 bedded unit with 6 beds commissioned by NHS England for the women of Cheshire and Merseyside and 2 beds commissioned by NHS Wales for the women of North Wales. The Mother and Baby Unit will also accept referrals for out of area women when there are beds available.



Please note that this vacancy may close early if there is a high volume of applicants.

Main duties of the job

The posts offer the successful applicants the exciting opportunity to build and be part of leading a team that provides the highest quality of care for our service users. We will offer an excellent training and induction programme.



The applicants must be able to demonstrate an understanding and application of the 6 C's in practice, these being Care; Compassion; Competence; Communication; Courage and Commitment.



Seren Lodge is based on the Countess of Chester Health Park Site approximately 1.5 miles from Chester city centre.

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

NMC Registered Nurse RMN, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist or Midwife with relevant professional registration Evidence of Continued Professional development

Desirable criteria

Postgraduate qualification in perinatal mental health, crisis intervention, or a related field #

Knowledge and Expertise

Essential criteria

High level of clinical experitise Understanding and appreciation of national policy and health/social care issues Clear understanding of social inclusion/equality/diversity Ability to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries Knowledge of cultural diversity within the healthcare setting Awareness of current mental health issues, debates and practice Knowledge and understanding of physical health needs A willingness to undertake further training Ability to influence best practice within the Mother and Baby Unit Have the knowledge and skills in the specialist perinatal mental health arena to develop and manage individual care plans for a patient or small group of patients Has the experience and expertise to work autonomously Ensure a high standard of practice is maintained in relation to the detention of mentally ill patients under the Mental Health Act and Deprivation of Liberty safeguards ensuring that least restrictive practices are promoted within individual care Ensure that the service provides holistic care that also incorporates excellence in physical health care management Knowledge of safeguarding issues and management of safeguarding processes Ensure that care reflects individual and cultural needs and contribute to a culture that actively promotes the involvement of patients, families and carers Strong understanding of the impact of mental health on family dynamics, attachment and early childhood development

Desirable criteria

Knowledge of MHA and MCA Knowledge of perinatal mental health conditions #

Experience

Essential criteria

Significant relevant post-qualifying experience at Band 5 Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment Supervision experience Working with patients with severe mental health problems utilising patient/carer involvement Proven skills in triage, assessment and risk management for patients with complex mental health needs

Desirable criteria

Previous experience of working within Mother and Baby Units or Specialist Perinatal Services
Applicant requirements


You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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

Sarah Hull

Job title

Operational Lead for Perinatal Services

Email address

sarah.hull9@nhs.net

Telephone number

0151 488 8434

Additional information

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

cwp.recruitment@nhs.net

or telephone 01244 393100