Job summary
The Durham and Darlington Perinatal Team is continuing to grow and develop and we are looking for a Senior Mental Health Practitioner as part of our drive to meet the Perinatal Long Term Plan ambitions.
We are seeking a highly motivated mental health nurse, occupational therapist, or social worker with a keen interest in perinatal mental will be a member of a pro-active and forward thinking multi-disciplinary team and be offered opportunities to develop and enhance your skills in this field.
The post holder will be part of a multi-disciplinary Community Perinatal Team, contributing to theeffective provision of Perinatal Mental Health Services to a caseload of pre-conceptual, pregnant,or postnatal women.
Hybrid working is supported in the team. Alongside an active caseload you will also be required to support the duty system in the team which entails managing and prioritising daily enquiries and referrals addressing any identified risk concerns and offering urgent assessments for women if indicated in line with operational policy.
To ensure the delivery of high standards of care, in accordance with evidence basedprofessional practice and trust policies. Work within the multi-disciplinary team, with partners,carers, relatives, other services, and agencies to promote positive mental health and wellbeing ofwomen.
Candidates must have 18 months post qualifying experience including sign off of appropriate preceptorship or competency framework.
Main duties of the job
1. To improve the lives of people with mental ill health by minimising the impact of their condition through the delivery of excellent services to promote recovery and well-being.
2. To be compassionate in meeting the needs of patients and their carers.
3. To work as part of a community team which may be integrated, working collaboratively and in partnership with local authority services.
4. To be professionally accountable and responsible for patient care, undertaking a range of clinical/therapeutic interventions in patients' homes and other community settings.
5. To act as lead professional or care co-ordinator as appropriate.
6. To promote social inclusion, community access and participation through the provision of patient care.
7. To facilitate others in the team to develop competence by providing leadership, day to day supervision, clinical advice and clinical supervision to registered healthcare professionals as appropriate, associate practitioners, community support workers and students.
8. To be committed to and take a lead role in activities integral to the Trust's Quality Improvement System.
9. To always promote a positive image of people with mental ill health.
10. To always promote a positive image of the Adult Mental Health Service and the wider Trust.
About us
We seek highly motivated individuals who are open to learning & developing their skills in perinatal mental health with a comprehensive induction, ongoing development within the post from existing members of the team & other professionals. The wider Perinatal Service supports Continuous Professional Development with outside speakers & team members who bring relevant learning & case discussion.
Team members are also expected to provide maternal mental health awareness training to Midwives & Health Visitors & Mental Health colleagues. Our work can be challenging & requires excellent risk management skills & a knowledge of safeguarding protocols ensuring thoughtfulness of the unborn & other children in the family at all times.
We are an aspirational service & actively encourage innovation; joining the wider Perinatal Services and we also continue to develop our links with Mother & Baby Units across the country.
Be the best you can be - bring your skills, re-set your work life balance and come & work in TEWV.
Details
Date posted
08 December 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
346-DDA-173-25-A
Job locations
Lanchester Road Hospital
Sniperley House
Durham
DH1 5RD
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will have experience of assessing and managing service users within the community and be experienced in delivering psychological wellbeing interventions. The post holder must have excellent communication skills, be able to act on their own initiative and have a knowledge of safeguarding procedures. You must be able to work flexibly within a challenging environment.
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.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
Additional contact details:
Laura Wilkinson (ANP) - 0191 4510400 or
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
11. Current professional registration with an approved professional body.
12. Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
13. For registered nurses: MIP, FLIP, ENB 998 Teaching & Assessing in Clinical Practice or City & Guilds 730 Teaching in Adult Education. Must be achieved within agreed timescale.
14. 18 months post qualifying experience including sign off of appropriate preceptorship or competency framework.
15. Recognised sign-off mentor, clinical educator or equivalent. Must be achieved within agreed timescale.
16. Key skills in literacy, numeracy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)
Desirable
17. Leadership or management qualification
18. Post-graduate qualification in a relevant area
Experience
Essential
19. Significant experience working with people with mental ill health in a care environment.
20. Working collaboratively with service users and their families/carers.
21. Providing clinical supervision to individuals or groups as professionally appropriate.
22. Mentoring or facilitating students on practice placement.
Desirable
23. Leadership or management experience
24. Significant experience working with people with mental ill health in a community environment.
Knowledge
Essential
25. Demonstrable knowledge to post-graduate level of evidence-based practice in caring for patients in the designated field.
26. Understanding of relevant legislation (. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act).
27. Care Programme Approach and its application in practice.
28. Clinical Risk Assessment and Management and its application in practice.