Overview
1 Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join a multi-disciplinary team within a new service in the Warrington area. The service will support children and young people with complex mental health needs to live at home and in their communities, with outreach to families and 4 short to medium term beds registered under the children\'s homes regulations 2015. The post is identified within the CYPMH strategy and will develop in line with national and local initiatives. The post will be based within the care home and will receive management and clinical supervision from the CYP Crisis Response Team. Flexible working requests will be considered.
Responsibilities
* CLINICAL - Hold a caseload of specialist and generic work; undertake assessments, treatment and consultation based on a conceptual framework and evidence-based practice.
* Provide direct therapeutic interventions including assessments, formulation and therapeutic input for children, young people and families referred into the service.
* Undertake risk assessments and care plans in line with the THRIVE framework; work with diverse backgrounds; screen referrals to children and young peoples services.
* Participate in team duty rotas; exercise autonomy within supervisory structures for assessment, treatment and discharge of clients.
* Deliver care coordination with effective assessment, care planning and risk management; involve children, families, referring agents and other professionals in multi-agency meetings.
* Produce clinical formulations and intervention plans based on evidence-based practice; maintain standards of clinical practice in area of specialist knowledge.
* Collaborate with team members to enhance services and engage with colleagues in other disciplines.
* Provide consultation and guidance to junior colleagues; promote multi-agency work; contribute to risk management within the multi-agency network.
* Manage risk for all children, identify child protection issues, and follow safeguarding policies.
* Maintain clear electronic clinical records compliant with Data Protection Act and professional standards; use routine outcome measures as appropriate.
* Engage with children, young people and families, contribute to the service user participation agenda.
* COMMUNICATION - Communicate assessment, formulation and treatment plans clearly; attend Child Protection Case Conferences; share complex information with families and professionals; organize multi-agency meetings and prepare written reports.
* TEACHING, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION - Participate in regular supervision, engage in reflective practice, and contribute to CPD and training for other professionals; support trainees and assess competencies.
* Contribute to THRIVE-aligned joint working with partner agencies; maintain professional registrations and accountability for clinical practice.
* MANAGEMENT, POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT - Identify service priorities, contribute to resource planning, and support recruitment and workload management; contribute to service development.
* RESEARCH AND SERVICE EVALUATION - Maintain knowledge base, contribute to evaluation of therapeutic practice and outcomes; participate in audits and NICE-guided activities.
* CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - Engage in regular clinical supervision; maintain CPD compliance and professional registration.
Qualifications and experience
Qualification Essential
* Must hold one of: EMHP Graduate or Post Graduate Qualification; CYWP Graduate or Post Graduate Qualification; PWP Graduate or Post Graduate Qualification; CBT Post Graduate Certificate/Diploma with professional registration, or Core Professional Qualification in Nursing, Social Work or Occupational Therapy
Desirable
* Senior EMHP Qualification; Senior CYWP Qualification; PWP Supervision Qualification
Values
* Continuous Improvement
* Accountability
* Respectfulness
* Enthusiasm
* Support
* High professional standards
* Responsive to service users
* Engaging leadership style
* Strong customer service belief
* Transparency and honesty
* Discreet
* Change oriented
Knowledge and experience
* Experience of managing a caseload of children and young people with varying mental health needs
* Working within a children and community mental health setting
* Experience of delivering evidence-based psychological therapy (e.g., CBT)
* Experience of supervision
* Strong communication skills with clients, families, carers and professionals
* Experience with diverse patient groups and handling challenging situations
* Case management and supervising trainees
* Knowledge of the mental health needs of children and adolescents
* Experience in risk assessments
* Ability to work in culturally diverse settings and take clinical responsibility within a MDT
UK registration and DBS
This post requires an enhanced DBS check. Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For more information see the NHS Careers website.
Details
Date posted: 06 October 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 350-CC6789695-P
Job locations: Knowsley Resource and Recovery Centre, Dragon Lane, Whiston, L355DR
About us
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people; we offer specialist inpatient and community services across the region and nationally, including high secure mental health facilities. We are committed to safe, effective, timely, equitable and efficient care and are delivering organisational transformation to improve quality and reduce cost.
We welcome flexible working for all roles.
Employer details
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Knowsley Resource and Recovery Centre, Dragon Lane, Whiston, L355DR
Website: https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/
Disclosures
Disclosures and Barring Service (DBS) checks are required; Rehabilitation of Offenders Act applies.
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