Overview
Older Persons Community Mental Health team have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Community Mental Health Practitioner to cover a 12 month period of Maternity Leave.
The Community Mental Health team provides recovery focused treatment plans for those people who are 65 and over with severe mental illness or who have organic mental ill health including Alzheimer’s disease.
Responsibilities
* You will manage a caseload of patients with a mixture of functional and organic disorders and provide a comprehensive, accessible and responsive mental health service to patients and their families.
* You will be a committed, dynamic, motivated professional with excellent communication, organisational skills and the ability to prioritise your work.
* You will have the support and opportunity to develop your own skills and we offer a structured management supervision and a very supportive team environment.
* You will work part-time (9 to 5) on 3 days in a pattern in the week to include Fridays. You will be based at The Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne and will need to have a valid driving licence and use of a car to travel to assess and monitor patients in their own homes and within other community or inpatient settings.
* You will have recent experience of working in a mental health environment and be able to apply the philosophies of engagement and recovery in your work with service users and have an awareness of the Mental Health Act.
* As a Community Mental Health Practitioner, you will contribute to effective multi-disciplinary working within the community mental health service and build up effective liaison with community, primary, and other secondary and tertiary services/agencies within the locality to provide holistic care based on the individual’s need and service development.
* You will communicate effectively in verbal and written form in the exchange of highly complex, sensitive or contentious information in difficult situations using de-escalation, mediation, resolution and professional Duty of Candour.
* You will evaluate care, taking appropriate action leading to improvement in quality standards through clinical audit.
Requirements/Qualifications
* Recent experience of working in a mental health environment.
* Ability to apply engagement and recovery philosophies in work with service users and awareness of the Mental Health Act.
* Ability to contribute to effective multi-disciplinary working and liaise with community, primary, and other services/agencies.
* Strong verbal and written communication skills for handling complex, sensitive, or contentious information.
* Valid driving licence and use of a car to travel to assess and monitor patients in their homes and in other settings.
* Part-time availability (3 days per week, 9–5, including Fridays).
* Based at The Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne.
Additional Information
* This is a fixed term role and, for candidates with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.
* Applications from candidates requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are ineligible to apply.
* For further details or to arrange an informal visit please contact cath.tagg@nhs.net or call 01935 815598.
* We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing applications, but it should enhance rather than replace your own experience. If used, ensure your supporting statement reflects your actual experience.
* We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. Contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net for details.
* We do not accept applications from candidates who require current NHS sponsorship for Skilled Worker visa.
This advert closes on Monday 17 Nov 2025.
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