Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a First Contact Mental Health Practitioner to work within primary care within the Hambleton South PCN.
After the successful introduction of our initial first contact mental health practitioner, we aspire to expand the service with a further innovative offer.
In this attractive, flexible, role the post holder the has opportunity of working within primary care, with non-working weekends and the benefit of bank holidays!
This role is fundamental to the development of inclusive & integrated mental health services.
NMC Mental Health Nurses, Social Workers (England), HCPC Occupational Therapist encouraged to apply.
GPpractices are working together alongside community, mental health,social care, pharmacy, hospital & voluntary services in local areas to form Primary Care Networks. This collaboration signals a significant change in the way practices interact, not only with each other, but the wider health andsocial caresystem, in order to meet the needs of that population. The focus is on prevention andpersonalisationof care, whilst working together to make the best use of shared resources.
Main duties of the job
Hambleton South PCN, together with TEWV NHS Foundation Trust, are working together to transform local community mental health services for people with mental health problems. By working co-operatively, we will be able to provide meaningful support for people with mental health difficulties, in a way that meets their needs closer to their communities and their homes.
The successful post-holder will work in partnership with practice colleagues in joining an ambitiouslocality network that is committed to developing a strong, caring, and compassionate multidisciplinary workforce.
As a valued team member, you will develop close working relationships with all our friendly Clinical staff. Your role will involve offering specialist mental health advice and providing clinical care for people with a range of mental health needs, ensuring that those with mental illness do not fall between gaps in services.
You will also contribute to safe and effective transitions in care between Adult Mental Health services, where appropriate. You will improve access by being a ' first contact mental health worker', undertaking triage, assessments, brief interventions, and reviews, with clinical supervision provided by a B7 Mental Health Practitioner. You will contribute to networking and navigation expertise, enabling access to a range of appropriate mental health support across the community system.
About us
Hambleton South PCN covers: Lambert Medical Centre, Thirsk Health Centre, Topcliffe Surgery & Glebe House Surgery. Situated within the market towns of Thirsk & Bedale, the PCN practices work closely together to improve standards of care for all patients. The successful applicant will be joining a dedicated multidisciplinary workforce delivering a personalised and integrated care service for registered patients.
The PCN would welcome enthusiastic innovators with strong leadership characteristics and skills, who are willing to develop this role and make the service the very best it can be for local people. We want individuals able to work systemically across Lambert Medical Centre and Thirsk Health Centre and to support people holistically.
The successful candidate will be well-supported and guided by the PCN and the clinical team. You will be supported to work autonomously, having day to day responsibility for your clinics and workload. Primary Care experience is not essential; however, a good understanding of how Primary Care works would be beneficial.
Details
Date posted
19 December 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
346-NYA-211-25-A
Job locations
Lambert Medical Centre
2 Chapel Street
Thirsk
YO7 1LU
Job description
Job responsibilities
This is a new, exciting, and innovative post to support the needs of the local population living with mental health difficulties. The role holder will fulfil a first contact specialist mental health role within GP Practices across the Primary Care Network (PCN), seeing patients who would otherwise have traditionally seen a GP. Within the primary care setting, the role holder will work in a collaborative and multi-agency way. This will contribute to the safe and effective day to day operation of the PCN and the efficient and timely management of clinical enquiries and decision-making.
The post will sit within the GP Practices and will facilitate the interface between Primary Care and Secondary Mental Health Services to provide specialist advice and support, assessment, treatment, education and solution-focused approaches to the local Primary Care Teams, for patients and carers.
The role will offer expertise in networking and navigation to promote ease of access to a range of specialist mental health support services. This ensures that each person, once assessed, receives the best possible care in the right place at the right time and by the right supporting service.
The post holder will be an effective member of the multi-disciplinary team. They will be professionally accountable and responsible for patient care, undertaking initial assessment with signposting to appropriate services, or providing time-limited psycho-social therapeutic interventions directly, in. GP surgeries, patients homes and other primary care settings. This will include providing clinical advice to GPs such as specialist opinion.
The post-holder will manage their daily clinics and act as a specialist advisor to GPs, fulfilling a pathway management function and providing short term interventions and support, in collaboration with GPs and other practice based mental health workers.
You will support the establishment of partnerships and networks with key stakeholders across the PCN and the wider mental health care system. You will offer advice to, or obtain advice for, the Primary Care Team on appropriate interventions and on-going patient care management.
You will develop links and foster a culture of partnership between Primary Care Teams and Mental Health Services, promoting clear communication and access to specialist knowledge and advice. This will include the facilitation of joint working with PCN, Secondary Care providers, and Voluntary Care Sector to increase the range of services/interventions available to the communities served.
You will provide clinical advice, consultation, and support to other care providers within primary, secondary, voluntary and statutory services as required.
You will collate and organise contemporaneous information about opportunities and resources in the local area which may be of benefit to patients referred to the service (. voluntary and community organisations, educational and recreational opportunities).
The role includes facilitating sign posting to other appropriate services and undertaking very short-term interventions for patients with mild to moderate mental health difficulties (average length of time expected to be 6 weeks). Working alongside the PCN staff which could include a care coordination team and a social prescribing link worker.
In line with the principles for community transformation, you will ensure systems/pathways are in place to enable smooth transition between primary care and secondary mental health services.
Most importantly, the right candidate will have a strong desire to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients and have the motivation and flexibility to help develop our services as the teams evolve to meet the needs of their population. If you are a qualified Occupational Therapist, Mental Health Nurse or Social Worker, with a determination for supporting local people with mental health problems and their families, and are looking for an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the development of an innovative and new way of working - then we look forward to hearing from you!
Due to the nature of the role it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes. If necessary, adjustments can be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
Additional contact details :- Dr Sally Tyrer,
PCN Clinical Director
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. Current professional registration with appropriate body in healthcare or social work.
2. Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
3. Certificate in mentorship, teaching & assessing in clinical practice as appropriate to own profession.
4. If appropriate to professional registration, recognised sign-off mentor (or equivalent) for students or must be achieved within agreed timescale.
5. Clinical Supervisor.
6. Key skills in literacy, numeracy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)
Desirable
7. If appropriate to professional registration, NMP (or willing to obtain)
8. Leadership or management qualification
9. Post-graduate qualification in a relevant area
Experience
Essential
10. Significant experience working with people with mental ill health in a community setting.
11. Working collaboratively with service users and their families/carers.
12. Providing clinical supervision.
13. Mentoring students on practice placement experience.
14. Working in a multi-disciplinary team
15. Experience and involvement with quality improvement activities
Desirable
16. Experience working in primary care.
17. Experience working in a multiagency setting.
18. Leadership or management experience
Knowledge
Essential
19. Demonstrable knowledge to post- graduate level of evidence-based practice in caring for patients in the designated field.
20. Knowledge of Stepped Care model.
21. Understanding of relevant legislation (. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act).
22. Care Programme Approach and its application in practice.
23. Detailed understanding of Safeguarding and its application in practice.
24. Clinical Risk Assessment and Management and its application in practice.
25. Clinical Governance and its application in practice
26. Understanding of psychological models of care and treatment
27. Demonstrable knowledge and experience of delivering psycho- social interventions and approaches
28. Contemporaneous knowledge of recent health and social care policy and guidance on implications for practice
Skills
Essential
29. Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to patients, carers/families and all members of the multidisciplinary team.
30. Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and undertake lead professional responsibilities.
31. Work effectively across complex organisations, pathways and services.
32. Provide effective clinical supervision, teaching, training and assessing in clinical practice.
33. Write reports.
34. Use multimedia materials for presentations in professional settings.
35. Use approved breakaway techniques (within agreed timescale).
Personal Attributes
Essential
36. Able to work in accordance with the Staff Compact and Trust Values and Behaviours.
37. Compassionate in meeting the needs of vulnerable people and their families and carers.
38. Able to engage with vulnerable people and work effectively in distressing and challenging circumstances.
39. Able to work flexibly and co- operatively as part of a team.
40. Able to use own initiative and make decisions independently.
41. Committed to continual quality and service improvement
42. Self-aware and committed to professional and personal development.
43. Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities.
44. Committed to promoting a positive image of the service.
Other Requirements
Essential
45. Ability to travel independently in accordance with Trust policies and service need.
46. This post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Baring Service check.