Are you a passionate and experienced mental health professional with a drive to make a meaningful difference? We are seeking a Specialist Practitioner to join our highly specialist National Deaf Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in the South West, delivering a high-quality mental health service for Deaf children, young people, and their families. About the Role This is a 12-month fixed-term post (maternity cover) working 30 hours per week, with flexibility to work from home and regular travel across the South West to schools, colleges, and community settings. You will be part of a bi-lingual (British Sign Language and English), bi-cultural multidisciplinary team providing specialist assessment, intervention, consultation, and training. Our team includes professionals from both Deaf and hearing communities and is psychology-led. No previous British Sign Language (BSL) experience is required - just a strong commitment to learning, with paid training provided during work hours. We Want to Hear From You If You Are A: Clinical Psychologist Mental Health Nurse Occupational Therapist Social Worker Creative Therapist (e.g. Art, Music, Drama Therapy) Or another qualified mental health professional with psychological therapy skills Main duties of the job
As a Specialist Practitioner in the South West Deaf CAMHS team, your core responsibilities will include: Clinical Work:
Conducting specialist mental health assessments and providing psychological and therapeutic interventions adapted to the linguistic and cultural needs of Deaf young people. You'll also contribute to risk assessments, safety planning, and safeguarding processes. Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration:
You will liaise with colleagues across mental health, education, and social care to develop and deliver holistic care packages and support joined-up service delivery. Leadership and Supervision:
Supporting and mentoring junior staff, providing clinical supervision where required, and contributing to team development and training. Service Development:
Participating in audits, evaluations and quality improvement projects in collaboration with the wider national Deaf CAMHS network. Professional Development:
You will receive ongoing clinical supervision and access to training, including BSL courses, to support your development and role effectiveness. About us
At
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer: Flexible working options
to help you balance work and life NHS pension scheme
for long-term financial security Generous annual leave allowance
to recharge and relax A strong focus on
career development
to help you grow and achieve your potential Additionally, you'll gain access to our
Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work. We are proud to foster a
diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds. Why Somerset?
Somerset offers the perfect blend of
idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and
breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like
Bristol ,
Bath, and
Exeter
just a short drive away - and only two hours to
London. The region is home to excellent
educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future. Somerset truly has it all
- the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy. Job responsibilities
Deliver specialist, evidence-based assessment and treatment for Deaf children and young people with complex mental health, neurodevelopmental, and communication needs. Provide consultation, supervision and support to other professionals (education, social care, CAMHS). Act as care coordinator or keyworker where appropriate, ensuring integrated and person-centred care. Promote mental health inclusion, Deaf awareness and cultural sensitivity across settings. Work as part of a bi-lingual, bi-cultural team alongside Deaf and hearing colleagues. Develop your BSL skills (Level 1 required within one year, Level 2 within three years - training funded and completed in work time). Please see the attached job description for full responsibilities. Person Specification
Qualifications
Recognised professional qualification and registration in one of the following: Clinical Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Creative Therapies (Art, Music, Drama, Play Therapy) Evidence of post-qualifying training or working towards training in psychological or therapeutic interventions (e.g., CBT, play therapy, solution-focused therapy) Evidence of ongoing professional development in child and adolescent mental health British Sign Language (BSL) Level 1 or above or commitment to learning Working towards or completed additional therapeutic modalities Experience
Experience working with children and young people with mental health difficulties Experience in specialist assessment, formulation, and risk management Experience of multi-agency and multi-disciplinary working Experience working with Deaf individuals or using interpreters Experience in delivering clinical supervision or training Experience working with children with additional communication or learning needs Additional Criteria
Car driver with access to a vehicle for work Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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