Go back South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
Mental Health Practitioner
The closing date is 10 June 2025
We are thrilled to announce new funding to expand our workforce for the Forensic Outreach Liaison service for Learning Disabilities and Autism. We are inviting applications for the Mental Health Practitioner post. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a trauma-informed, evolving service that is actively developing in response to the complex needs of the people we support.
We are looking for enthusiastic practitioners who are eager to play an active role in shaping the future of forensic community care. You will work as part of a skilled multidisciplinary team, managing your own caseload, contributing to forensic risk assessments, delivering interventions, and offering consultation and training to professionals and carers.
The role includes duty work, which involves being office-based to respond to phone calls and provide advice. You will receive regular supervision and support with training needs for ongoing development. If you would like to find out more, the team would welcome you to meet with them and ask any questions you may have about the service.
All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.
For the full job description, please see attached supporting documents.
At the time of advertising, this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.
Main duties of the job
The team aims to support individuals and their wider support networks with understanding and safely managing risk within the community. The team uses a strengths formulation approach, honed with a forensic and trauma lens.
FOLS offers frequent supervision and reflective practice. You will have the opportunity to introduce new ideas to the service and develop your clinical skills alongside experienced staff. Continuing Professional Development is actively supported through in-service training and external training. The role allows you to develop skills in specialist risk assessments and interventions, as well as duty and triage of new referrals.
Experience with working with LD and/or autism and within a forensic or community mental health setting is desirable, but enthusiasm and adaptability are essential.
The service covers West Yorkshire and Barnsley. Travelling is intrinsic to the role due to the size of our patch, but this is reimbursed via expenses. The current working pattern is 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, but as the service develops, it may adapt to work 8 am to 8 pm across 7 days a week.
If you'd like to discuss these posts or arrange an informal visit, please contact: Stacey Hayton, General Manager, at Stacey.Hayton@swyt.nhs.uk or 07789 753526; Catherine Dunne at Catherine.Dunne@swyt.nhs.uk or 01924 316112.
About us
We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust providing community, mental health, and learning disability services for Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees, and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and lead the West Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.
Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities by providing high-quality care at the right place and time. We employ staff in clinical and non-clinical roles who work hard to make a difference in the lives of service users, families, and carers.
We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups. We value diversity and want our workforce to reflect our communities.
As a foundation Trust, we are accountable to our members, who can influence how we are run. Around 14,300 local people, including staff, are members of our Trust.
Join us and be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical, and social needs of the people we serve each year.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply promptly.
Job responsibilities
Maintain continuing responsibility for delivering skilled interventions to individuals with mental health needs within a community setting. Work within a multidisciplinary team as part of the Forensic Community Team and broader Forensic pathway.
Manage own caseload following C.P.A. procedures and risk management protocols.
Provide leadership to the Forensic Community Team regarding psychosocial interventions for individuals and their carers, in line with national and local standards such as NICE.
Supervise and support other team members.
Participate in service development and clinical governance structures.
Assess needs and identify problems relevant to the care of referred individuals.
Devise and implement care plans in partnership with the individual and carers, ensuring high standards.
Review the effectiveness of care and initiate actions as needed.
Advise and support individuals and carers to promote health and well-being and prevent illness.
Recognize potentially detrimental situations and take appropriate action.
Establish and maintain communication with all agencies involved in the individual's care, both in hospital and community settings.
Function as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
Manage enquiries and referrals according to operational policies and participate in team duty rotas.
Maintain professional registration and adhere to statutory codes of practice and CPD requirements.
Act up in the absence of the team leader.
Keep accurate patient care records in line with professional and Trust procedures, ensuring availability when required.
Participate in policy formulation at the unit level.
Maintain accurate mileage and stock records, and ensure safe carriage, storage, and administration of prescribed drugs (for registered nurses).
Produce monthly statistics as directed by the Trust.
Keep the Management Team and colleagues informed of relevant developments.
We are aware that applicants increasingly use AI technology to generate responses for NHS job applications. Over-reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged, and we will conduct thorough screening. If you use AI to assist your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.
Person Specification
Training
* Assessment and care planning skills.
* Risk assessment and management.
* Relevant post-registration qualifications and/or training.
* Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills.
* Training in specialist forensic interventions (e.g., HSB, Violence & Fire Setting, HCR 20, SAPROF, RSVP).
* Experience delivering training to others.
Physical Attributes
* Ability to perform the duties of the role. A satisfactory sickness record over the past 2 years, considering fairness and equality, especially if related to disability or pregnancy.
Qualifications
* RMN/RNLD with current NMC registration.
* Social Worker/Occupational Therapist with current registration (Social Work England/HCPC).
* Experience mentoring/supporting learners or demonstrated mentoring skills.
* Practice Education/Practice Assessor Preparation Certificate.
Experience
* Skills in assessing and managing individuals with complex mental health issues.
* Supporting and supervising colleagues, students, or trainees.
* Using IT systems for clinical activity documentation and monitoring.
* Risk assessment and management skills across settings.
* Assessing and leveraging the strengths and needs of individuals and carers, delivering therapeutic interventions.
* Working within an integrated multidisciplinary environment, participating in team meetings, case conferences, and professional forums.
* Supporting colleagues with caseload management during high-demand periods.
* Developing links with other professionals and services.
* Knowledge and application of national standards (e.g., NICE, CQC, CQUINs).
* Experience working holistically with older adults, emphasizing physical health's impact on mental well-being.
* Experience in assertive/community treatment models.
* Working across different cultural contexts.
* Knowledge of Equality and Diversity principles.
Skills & Knowledge
* Understanding of legislation like the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, and Health & Safety.
* Incorporating principles of Clinical Governance.
* Partnership working skills with service users and carers.
* Incorporating equality and diversity into care planning and delivery.
* IT skills for recording clinical activity.
* Knowledge of audit processes.
* Analytical and creative problem-solving skills.
* Knowledge of carer services and issues.
* Experience with dual diagnosis, secure settings, psychosis, mood disorders, and personality disorders.
Personal Attributes
* Time management.
* Self-direction.
* Reliability, enthusiasm, motivation, flexibility, resourcefulness, and adaptability.
* A valid driving license and access to a car during work hours are essential (reasonable adjustments considered for disabilities).
* Autonomy and diplomacy.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a DBS check for any previous convictions.
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
#J-18808-Ljbffr