The closing date is 7th Sep 2025
Anticipated Interview date(s
Job summary
Connect18 is a county-wide transitions service supporting young people as they move on from CAMHS and develop into adulthood. We are in the unique position to offer up to 18 months of intervention, often preventing the need for transition to adult mental health services.
Our team works relationally and in a trauma-informed way, with a skilled mix of multidisciplinary clinicians who support one another through regular formal and ad hoc supervision. This role provides the opportunity to build meaningful therapeutic relationships with young people during what can be a difficult time of change, promoting engagement in a flexible and responsive way.
Working hours are Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, and you will travel across Somerset to meet young people where they are - reducing barriers and fostering engagement. We welcome applications from both experienced practitioners and newly qualified professionals who are registered with a professional body such as the NMC or HCPC.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing and dynamic team committed to improving outcomes for young people in Somerset.
Main duties, tasks & skills required
* Hold a caseload of young people aged 17+ who are transitioning from CAMHS and may have complex mental health, social, emotional, behavioural, or neurodevelopmental needs.
* Deliver interventions in line with the team's structured clinical model, including approaches such as Mentalisation-Based Therapy (MBT).
* Work collaboratively and relationally with young people and their families, supporting them through transition and helping them to build resilience and independence.
* Act as a key worker, maintaining close communication with colleagues, other professionals, and partner agencies.
* Provide practical and therapeutic support that enables young people to remain engaged and connected during a challenging life stage.
* Maintain accurate, timely clinical records in line with Trust policies.
* Engage in supervision, reflective practice, and opportunities for professional development.
About us
As an organisation, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust offers employees a wide range of benefits including flexible working, NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance and a commitment to career development.
You will be eligible for our Blue Light Card and a wide range of NHS exclusive shopping & leisure discounts.
We are proud of our skilled, diverse workforce and as an inclusive employer we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Working in Somerset enables you to enjoy the idyllic countryside, areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.
There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable.
Somerset offers the countryside and the cosmopolitan - there is truly something for everyone
Job description
As a Mental Health Practitioner within Connect18, you will:
* Work county-wide as part of a dedicated, supportive transitions service, with the opportunity to influence and shape the evolving pathway for young people leaving CAMHS.
* Provide up to 18 months of flexible, trauma-informed intervention tailored to the needs of each young person, helping them to avoid unnecessary transition to adult mental health services.
* Use your professional skills and therapeutic knowledge to offer structured interventions, alongside practical support, using strengths-based approaches.
* Build strong therapeutic relationships, working relationally and with sensitivity to the challenges faced by young adults in transition.
* Work closely with a multidisciplinary team including senior practitioners, support workers, and clinicians, with access to regular supervision and peer support.
* Promote safety, recovery, and empowerment for young people, supporting them to access education, training, employment, and social opportunities.
* Travel across Somerset to deliver care in young people's own environments, removing barriers to engagement and supporting them where they feel most comfortable.
* Contribute to service development by engaging in audits, governance activities, and best practice groups.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
Professional knowledge acquired through degree.
Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable
Skill based training in a modality applicable to the client group
Training and mentorship qualification or equivalent
Experience
Essential
Experience working with young adults have experienced mental illness.
Experience of working with people who present with unpredictable and extreme challenging behaviour.
Experience of working with young adults who have serious mental illness and their families and carers in the community.
Experience of receiving management and clinical supervision
Desirable
Evidence of undertaking mentorship role
Additional Criteria
Essential
Car driver with current driving licence.
Willingness to drive for work purposes across the localities of the organisation.
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.
UK Professional Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
For help with your application, contact:
Vicki Singleton
Pay scheme
Agenda for Change
Band
Band 5
Salary
£ to £ Yearly
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-Time
Reference number
184-OL-GR-3159
Job locations
Magnolia House
56 Preston Road
Yeovil
Somerset
BA20 2BN