Senior Community Mental Health Practitioner
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We are seeking a dynamic, highly motivated & enthusiastic senior Mental Health Practitioner (MHP) to join the Forensic Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental disorder team (FIND) based at Easby House. The FIND Team is managed within the Secure Services directorate in Devon Partnership NHS Trust. This role is in the FIND team which is based in the Community Forensic Services (CFS). The CFS is comprised of three teams including the Specialist Community Forensic team (SCFT), FIND and the Forensic Personality Disorder service (FPDs). Since 2021 the CFS have been working to integrate the management of the SCFT, FIND and FPD teams to ensure a single point of entry to the service, centralising triage and gatekeeping functions. This is an exciting opportunity to join our FIND team at one of the country\'s most respected providers of secure mental health services. FIND aims to reduce length of stay for secure care patients with a primary diagnosis of Learning Disability (LD), Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and/or Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and reduce the use of out of area or specialist placements in order to support / facilitate the use of South West network beds. This involves the development of a structured approach of direct work with patients (e.g. intervention, specialist assessment, case management) as well as indirect work with staff teams (e.g. consultation, training, supervision).
Responsibilities
* Be a core member of a multi-disciplinary FIND service, carrying a caseload of varying complexity with a focus on service users who would benefit most from specialist forensic LD and/or ABI intervention.
* Provide expert assessment and treatment for people with complex difficulties and their carers; including recovery care co-ordination (design and co-ordination of personalised and evaluated treatment packages).
* Deliver care management, assessment, care planning, review and evaluation.
* Liaise with a wide range of statutory and non-statutory agencies; contribute to clinical leadership of the team, provide supervision for others, and participate in service development and evaluation.
* Work under pressure and with limited supervision; prioritise tasks and manage own workload while supporting colleagues as required.
* Support the Trust\'s commitment to coproduction and inclusive service design and delivery.
About Us
Devon Partnership NHS Trust provides mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, including specialist & secure services for the south west region and nationally. We are committed to promoting good mental health and wellbeing and to developing a culture of coproduction with patients, families and carers.
Our values
We recruit based on qualifications and behaviours that reflect the Trust\'s core values: quality of care, improving lives, respect, dignity & compassion. We are committed to being an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Part-time and flexible working may be considered. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Details
Date posted: 30 September 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change. Band 6. Salary £38,682 to £46,580 a year. Contract: Permanent. Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working.
Location: Easby House, Langdon Hospital, Dawlish, Devon, EX7 0NR.
Job Description
Job responsibilities: For further information regarding this role, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Qualifications
Essential
* A professional mental health qualification (e.g., RMN, Social Work Degree or equivalent, BSc/Diploma in OT).
* Postgraduate qualification relevant to forensic mental health.
* Student supervisor/assessor or Practice Educator accreditation or equivalent.
* Evidence of postgraduate courses and ongoing development in theory and practice.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
* Understanding of Mental Health Act and Mental Health Capacity Act requirements.
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* Awareness of community structures and social care management responsibilities.
* Understanding of recovery principles.
* Knowledge of health legislation and current practice (CPA, CeTR, risk assessment and management).
* Training and presentation skills; excellent written and verbal communication.
* Group work skills; ability to work with a wide range of professionals; ability to assess and develop risk management plans.
* Ability to reflect, critically appraise own performance and ethical issues; maintain professional boundaries.
* Ability to plan creatively to maximise effectiveness of care plans, including complex multi-agency plans; able to work independently and in a team; strong self-management and prioritisation.
Additional Criteria
Essential
* Mobility across a geographical area.
* Ability to respond promptly to physical and mental health emergencies; respond calmly and effectively.
Experience
Essential
* Experience in learning disability, autism and acquired brain injury; managing extensive and complex caseloads with forensic needs.
* Experience in community mental health settings (statutory or voluntary).
* Experience of clinical supervision and working in multidisciplinary/multi-agency environments.
* Understanding of secure services issues, clinical governance, practice education, health and safety and risk management policies; awareness of long-term institutional care.
* Understanding of team dynamics.
Disclosure and Compliance
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a Disclosure to the DBS. Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered. UK registration with your professional body is required.
Employer details: Devon Partnership NHS Trust, Easby House, Langdon Hospital, Dawlish, Devon, EX7 0NR. Website: https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/
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