Mental health Practitioner
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Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust Mental health Practitioner
The closing date is 14 September 2026
Job summary
Hybrid working and a warm welcome accompany this opportunity to work creatively with young people and their families. We are the Connect Team 0-18, a specialist therapeutic needs led service working with Children in Care and permanently placed across Suffolk. An opportunity has arisen for a qualified Mental health Practitioner, Band 6 to work within the Connect Team. The team are currently based between Walker Close, Ipswich and Ickworth Lodge, Bury St Edmunds. Our team prides itself on highly skilled practitioners, currently we consist of a Consultant psychiatrist, clinical psychologists, Arts and Drama Psychotherapists, Psychodynamic psychotherapist and Mental health practitioners. We learn, develop and work together to ensure the young person and their families receive a tailored package of care. We are committed to reflective practice and formulations that strengthen the team in all aspects.
We are looking for a highly skilled practitioner who holds a nursing or social work registration. Experience of working with children, young people and their families and carers with knowledge of attachment, child development and working systemically would be especially welcome.
This post is on a fixed term basis as Maternity leave Cover and is advertised as 0.4WTE for 12 months but applications for 0.8WTE for 6 months would be considered.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a passionate individual who loves to work creatively with children and their families. We are a dynamic and experienced team who are committed to multi-disciplinary working. This role would include responsibilities such as undertaking assessments, processing of referrals, participating in duty, case management, risk assessments, multi agency consultations and emergency safety planning. We ensure that the emotional wellbeing and placement stability of our young people are top of our agenda.
The role includes multi agency working alongside the family (foster carers, special guardians, adopters) social care, education and voluntary services to ensure the service users' needs are best met. We also work in close collaboration with other NSFT CYP teams such as Suffolk Wellbeing, Youth Teams, Child & Family Teams, ADHD services and the Emotional Wellbeing Hub.
About us
At Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, inclusion is at the heart of how we work. We are committed to creating a fair, transparent and accessible recruitment process where every candidate has the opportunity to succeed.
We actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, particularly those currently underrepresented in our workforce. We recognise that not everyone has equal access to opportunities and are working to address this.
We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and ensuring all candidates receive a positive and equitable experience.
Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.
Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.
Details
Date posted
19 August 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£39,959 to £48,117 a year pro rata
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
246-ESU8094210-A
Job locations
Walker Close Ipswich
6 walker close
ipswich
IP38LY
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
Contribute to the specialist therapeutic services within NSFT as part of the multi-disciplinary team, carrying a case load of clients. Receive regular supervision in line with the Trust Policies and be responsible for management of own caseload, ensuring high standards of care are maintained in line with Trust policies and professional codes of practice. Providing appropriate therapeutic interventions to children and young people. Maintaining respectful, effective professional interpersonal relationships with others. Initiate, create and maintain therapeutic relationships with patients and carers, ensuring that the practice is patient centred. Consultation to other professionals and carers within the locality to offer support and advice.
Apply a high level of communication skills, recognising and reflecting the need for different styles and methods of communication to meet therapeutic needs. Attend and contribute to regular multi disciplinary meetings. Demonstrate an ability to work autonomously within the levels of competence and set own priorities to organise and manage an efficient schedule of clinical work to ensure a high standard of service delivery.
Professional
Adhere to local and professionally prescribed codes of conduct
Ensure accurate and timely recording of contacts as per Trust policy
Be responsible for personal time management. Attend all mandatory training as required by the Trust and to undertake further training and updating as required to carry out the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
Contribute to the specialist therapeutic services within NSFT as part of the multi-disciplinary team, carrying a case load of clients. Receive regular supervision in line with the Trust Policies and be responsible for management of own caseload, ensuring high standards of care are maintained in line with Trust policies and professional codes of practice. Providing appropriate therapeutic interventions to children and young people. Maintaining respectful, effective professional interpersonal relationships with others. Initiate, create and maintain therapeutic relationships with patients and carers, ensuring that the practice is patient centred. Consultation to other professionals and carers within the locality to offer support and advice.
Apply a high level of communication skills, recognising and reflecting the need for different styles and methods of communication to meet therapeutic needs. Attend and contribute to regular multi disciplinary meetings. Demonstrate an ability to work autonomously within the levels of competence and set own priorities to organise and manage an efficient schedule of clinical work to ensure a high standard of service delivery.
Professional
Adhere to local and professionally prescribed codes of conduct
Ensure accurate and timely recording of contacts as per Trust policy
Be responsible for personal time management. Attend all mandatory training as required by the Trust and to undertake further training and updating as required to carry out the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Mental Health or Learning Disability Nurse, Occupational Therapist OR Social Worker with the relevant professional registration
- Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor training (NMC registrants) or Practice Educator (AHP & Social Worker Registrants)
Desirable
- Higher degree or post graduate certificate in area of clinical / therapeutic practice
Experience
Essential
- Experience in the delivery of clinical interventions
- Experience of managing a caseload and the provision of Mental Health Care services to people with mental health care needs
Desirable
- Experience in supporting service development and quality improvement initiatives
Skills
Essential
- Competent assessment skills
- Care planning and Risk assessment knowledge and skills
Desirable
- Prevention and Management of Suicide training
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Mental Health or Learning Disability Nurse, Occupational Therapist OR Social Worker with the relevant professional registration
- Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor training (NMC registrants) or Practice Educator (AHP & Social Worker Registrants)
Desirable
- Higher degree or post graduate certificate in area of clinical / therapeutic practice
Experience
Essential
- Experience in the delivery of clinical interventions
- Experience of managing a caseload and the provision of Mental Health Care services to people with mental health care needs
Desirable
- Experience in supporting service development and quality improvement initiatives
Skills
Essential
- Competent assessment skills
- Care planning and Risk assessment knowledge and skills
Desirable
- Prevention and Management of Suicide training
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
Address
Walker Close Ipswich
6 walker close
ipswich
IP38LY
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
Address
Walker Close Ipswich
6 walker close
ipswich
IP38LY
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
community team manager
jayne boyns
07917514683
Details
Date posted
19 August 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£39,959 to £48,117 a year pro rata
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
246-ESU8094210-A
Job locations
Walker Close Ipswich
6 walker close
ipswich
IP38LY
United Kingdom
Supporting documents
Privacy notice
Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)
Support links
© Crown copyright
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