Senior Mental Health Practitioner
Closing date: 30 June 2026
We offer the opportunity to join the multi‑agency team supporting neuro‑diverse children and young people in Manchester. The successful candidate will contribute to developing a needs‑led offer of care, particularly in pathways for ADHD, mental health and well‑being for neuro‑diverse young people. The role involves running group‑based interventions and educational workshops, working closely with CAMHS and paediatric colleagues, and co‑producing service design with our parent carer forum.
Main duties
- Develop and deliver interventions and assessments tailored to neuro‑developmental needs.
- Provide needs‑led support to children and families alongside other team members.
- Manage an autonomous complex caseload and make independent clinical decisions.
- Contribute to service development, multi‑agency liaison and training of clinicians.
Qualifications and registration
- Registered or accredited with a recognised professional body (e.g., NMC, SW England, UKCP, HCPC, BACP).
- Recognised qualification: doctoral degree in Clinical or Counselling Psychology (BPS accredited), registered nursing (RMN/RSCN/RNMH), or social work (CQSW/DipSW).
- Additional qualifications related to autism assessment (ADI, ADOS) or other neuro‑developmental conditions and postgraduate training in psychological therapies.
Experience
- Extensive experience working with children with autism, ADHD and communication difficulties, including autonomous management of a complex caseload.
- Experience delivering group work or parenting groups for neuro‑diverse children and young people.
- Strong record of working within multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency teams.
- Experience training and supervising staff.
- Experience engaging hard‑to‑reach diverse community groups and working with professional systems in child services.
Knowledge, skills and ability
- Up‑to‑date knowledge of child mental health legislation and assessment procedures.
- Excellent presentation and communication skills, including handling sensitive information.
- Ability to assess needs, plan and evaluate interventions, and formulate clinical problems using evidence‑based theory.
- Experience planning and delivering evidence‑based interventions for autistic children.
Personal attributes
- Commitment to ongoing professional development.
- Flexibility and punctuality across working hours.
- Inclusive approach to service delivery and strong collaboration with families.
- Positive attitude to service improvement and team functioning.
Work‑related circumstances
- Willingness to travel across the MFT footprint.
- Flexible working arrangements as required.
- Commitment to Equality and Diversity policies.
Disclosure check
This post requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.
Compensation
£49,387 to £56,515 per annum, pro‑rata.
Diversity and Equality Statement
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust promotes equality of opportunity and values diversity. All individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation, are encouraged to apply. Contact the manager for assistance with applications.
