We’re excited to offer a permanent, full‑time Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join our Assessment and Primary Intervention Team (APIT) within Barnsley CAMHS.
APIT is a dynamic multidisciplinary team delivering high‑quality mental health services to children and families. We provide timely assessments and tailored interventions to support emotional wellbeing and promote positive outcomes.
Job Summary
As a Senior Mental Health Practitioner you will deliver assessment and brief interventions for young people with anxiety, low mood and other emotional or psychological difficulties. You will collaborate with the Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) and the Branching Minds (BM) initiative to arrange timely access to the right services.
Responsibilities
* Assess young people referred to CAMHS and deliver brief interventions for a range of issues such as anxiety, low mood and early signs of more severe difficulties.
* Collaborate with local partners in health, education and social care, coordinating referral reading, risk screening, signposting and liaison.
* Work jointly with families, carers and young people, adapting the approach to meet individual needs and complexity, including neurodiversity considerations.
* Participate in the multidisciplinary team, providing consultation for other agencies and professionals.
* Engage in the CAMHS first‑on‑call rota as required and work flexibly to support team wellbeing and service continuity.
* Maintain high‑quality clinical records, safeguarding risk assessments and care plans in secure information systems (e.g. Rio).
* Provide training, supervision and clinical guidance to junior staff and partner agencies on intensive interventions with children and young people.
* Contribute to service development, audit and improvement activities, and support the delivery of evidence‑based practice in the APIT model.
Key Result Areas
* Support the ongoing delivery of a comprehensive CAMHS system.
* Deliver assessment, interventions, therapy to children/young people with severe, complex or persistent problems and where appropriate, family therapy.
* Apply robust safeguarding knowledge and guidelines in clinical work.
* Operate within the clinical and case‑management supervision framework.
* Provide training, consultation and supervision to other service providers and junior staff.
* Participate in clinical audit programmes and report on lessons learned.
* Maintain professional registration and engage in continual professional development.
Person Specification – Experience (Essential)
* Substantial post‑qualification experience working with children and young people with mental health or complex care needs.
* Experience in multidisciplinary team working and inter‑agency liaison.
* Demonstrated supervision/mentoring of junior staff.
* Knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance (e.g. NHS Plan, Mental Health Legislation, Childrens Act, Education Act, Working Together, Every Child Matters).
* Clinical, therapeutic knowledge and skills in mental health, including assessment and risk management.
* Proven ability to work collaboratively with other agencies and organisations.
* Experience of safeguarding children and young people.
Experience (Desirable)
* Experience in community settings.
* Experience working in culturally diverse contexts.
* Knowledge of and experience with Equality and Diversity frameworks.
Special Knowledge / Skills (Essential)
* High‑quality verbal and written communication skills.
* Ability to manage own caseload and prioritise work.
* Effective negotiation, problem‑solving and customer service skills.
* Record‑keeping and report‑writing skills, including planning and risk assessments.
* Information technology competence and ability to use health‑information systems.
* Team‑working skills and ability to manage interdisciplinary tensions.
Qualifications
* Relevant professional qualification (e.g. nursing, psychology, social work or allied mental‑health profession).
* Mental health‑specific post‑graduate qualification (e.g. Dip SW, CBT, Family Therapy).
* Membership of a relevant professional body.
Desirable Qualifications
* Post‑registration degree or advanced mental‑health qualification.
* Teaching or assessing qualifications.
Training (Desirable)
* Experience delivering training to other professionals.
Personal Attributes (Essential)
* Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
* Commitment to multi‑agency practice.
* Ability to work and make decisions under pressure.
* Calm, confident, innovative, creative and assertive.
* Willingness to be flexible and adapt to changing service priorities.
* Commitment to challenging discrimination and improving service accessibility.
* Self‑care awareness and ability to support team members.
* Current driving licence; access to a car during the working day (reasonable adjustments for those who cannot drive).
Salary & Benefits
* Band 6 – £38,682 to £46,580 per year.
* Permanent contract, full‑time with flexible working options.
* Robust clinical supervision and professional development opportunities.
* Opportunity to work within a supportive, values‑driven NHS Foundation Trust.
EEO Statement
We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups. We value diversity and aim to have a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Eligibility & Vaccination
All employees of the Trust are encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID‑19 to protect patients.
Contact & Application
To apply, please submit your application through the NHS Jobs portal. If you wish to arrange an informal visit or conversation to learn more, contact us.
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