Job overview
Specialist Mother and Baby Mental Health Service (SMABS) is a community perinatal mental health service commissioned with the Bradford District Care Foundation Trust (BDCFT). We cover the catchment area of Bradford, Airedale and Craven there are approximately 8,000 live births per year. The main maternity hospital sites being Bradford (6,000 births) and Airedale (2,000 births).
We are currently looking to recruit experienced and highly motivated and enthusiastic mental health professional/practitioner to join our team with a specialist interest in improving care for women and their families in the area. Experience of working in the Perinatal Mental Health field is desirable; a keen interest in this specialist area is essential.
The Specialist Mother and Baby Mental Health Service (SMABS) provides mental health care and treatment for women and their families during pregnancy till first year post delivery. The SMABS is a multi-disciplinary team, which provides support for women who are experiencing moderate to severe mental ill health in pregnancy or present with a high risk of relapse during pregnancy and the perinatal period. The practitioners provide care co-ordination, assessments and there is also a duty service which provides advice, information and signposting regarding perinatal mental health.
Main duties of the job
You will complete a holistic triage for referrals coming into the service. The team has close working relationships with a number of services, this includes working closely with maternity services (midwifes, health visitors) and via working in collaboration we deliver more personalised care plans for people during pregnancy, during birth and postnatally. We also work closely with Mother and Baby units and provide ongoing care for women who may be receiving care out of local services and area boundaries.
As part of our care we offer assessment and treatment aimed at treating and enhancing the parent-infant relationship, where mental health needs may have impacted upon this. Promoting the relationship with the infant and its emotional and physical well-being and development are central to the care provided by our service.
Perinatal Mental Health is a rapidly expanding area with significant investment being made. This means that there will be high quality training and potential opportunities for career development for the successful candidate. We offer a comprehensive induction package and practitioners within the service are able to access specialist training both internally and externally in order to develop a high level of perinatal expertise regarding perinatal mental health conditions, risks and relapse factors, and evidence-based interventions. In addition practitioners gain a growing knowledge base on infant mental health, development and attachment and bonding.
Working for our organisation
Everything we do is underpinned by our core values: -
We Care - We act with respect and empathy, and always value difference
We Listen - We understand people’s views and respond to their individual needs
We Deliver - We develop and provide excellent services and support our partners
We will consider a variety of flexible working arrangements to enable staff to balance their work and home lives and support staff by offering a fantastic range of benefits including :
Increase mileage rates for > 4500
A wide range of health and wellbeing support packages
A range of internal and external development and learning opportunities
Plus many more.
We are also proud to pledge our support to the Armed Forces and hold a Bronze Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
BDCFT is dedicated to environmental and social sustainability by delivering on the commitments within our Green Plan. All staff are actively encouraged and supported to participate in training and to identify and implement sustainable quality improvement across all service areas and activities.
Please note that the Trust reserves the right to close the vacancy before the closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received. It is in the candidate’s best interest to apply as soon as possible.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Closing date: 17th May 2026
Shortlisting: 20th May 2026
Interviews: 28th May 2026
Please read the attached Job description and person specification for more details about this role.
Right to Work in the UK
Applicants should be aware that for any individual who requires a visa to work in the UK, the Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only. This is an essential requirement of the role, and the Trust is unable to offer you a role if you are unable to meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.
Prior to your appointment you will be asked to provide confirmation of your right to work and reside in the UK. During your continued employment with the Trust, you have a personal responsibility to notify your manager as soon as possible should there be any changes to your right to work status.
Regrettably, if the role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Trust’s eligibility criteria, the Trust are unable to extend your employment beyond the expiration of your current visa. The Trust is not responsible or liable for ensuring that your employment continues after this period.
As a condition of continuous employment, it essential you maintain the legal right to work in the United Kingdom throughout the duration of your employment with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (BDCFT). Any change in your right-to-work status, including but not limited to visa expiration, revocation, or denial of renewal, may impact your eligibility for employment with the Trust. It is your responsibility to promptly inform your Line Manager of any changes in your right-to-work status immediately and to provide necessary documentation for verification purposes. Failure to obtain or renew your visa in a timely manner is a breach of employment conditions and will result in termination of your employment. We appreciate your attention to this matter and your commitment to fulfilling this requirement promptly.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Professional Qualification (RMN, Social Work, Occupational Therapist) to degree level or equivalent.
2. Maintains current registration with the NMC or HCPC
3. Minimum requirement of two years post basic training.
4. Previous experience in a relevant Adult Mental Health Service community setting
Desirable criteria
5. Psychological Therapy Qualification in a relevant modality
6. Supervision qualification
7. Mentorship or equivalent Practice Placement Educator
Experience
Essential criteria
8. Significant experience of working within a mental health setting
Desirable criteria
9. Experience of working with Peri Natal Mental Health Problems, substance misuse and/or emotional dysregulation.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
10. Assessment and care planning skills
11. Key worker case management/caseload management
12. Understanding and application of the Care Programme Approach, (CPA) the Mental Health Act and Safeguarding policies and procedures.
Please note that the Trust reserves the right to close the vacancy before the closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received. It is in the candidates best interest to apply as soon as possible.
In view of Home Office Immigration Regulations all applicants must state their current immigration status, including expiry dates.
Bradford District Care Trust is an award-winning Trust that provides a range of innovative services that have been recognised as best practice nationally. As a provider of care for people of all ages who have mental and/or community health needs we are dedicated to providing a high-quality service, close to where people live and as much as possible tailored to an individual’s needs.
The Trust’s purpose is to create connected communities and help people to feel as healthy as they can be at every point in their lives and our vision is to connect people to the best quality care, when and where they need it and be a national role model as an employer and provide our staff with the best place to work.
Bradford has been awarded the coveted status of UK City of Culture 2025. The year is set to deliver more than 1000 new performances and events including 365 artist commissions, a series of major arts festivals as well as exciting national and international collaborations. Its themes will be rooted in the unique heritage and character of Bradford and will reveal the magic of the district that is held in its people, its ambition, and above all, its potential.
We would welcome applicants with lived experience of providing unpaid care and/or support to a family member or friend with a disability, health condition, frailty, mental health problem, addiction or other health and care needs.
We welcome people from all backgrounds and in particular Bradford District Care Trust is keen to reflect the population we serve, we are currently underrepresented in terms of black and minority ethnic staff. Applications are encouraged from these groups, but it must be stressed that selection will be solely on merit and in accordance with the Trust recruitment policy.
BDCFT is dedicated to environmental and social sustainability by delivering on the commitments within our Green Plan. All staff are actively encouraged and supported to participate in training and to identify and implement sustainable quality improvement across all service areas and activities.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.