Mental Health Practitioner

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Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 30 September 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 5 Community Mental Health Practitioner to join our Community Mental Health Service based in Taunton.

We are looking for a motivated and compassionate professional to provide high-quality, recovery-focused care to adults with severe and enduring mental health difficulties. As a key member of the multidisciplinary team, you will manage a defined caseload, undertake assessments, develop therapeutic relationships and deliver evidence-based psychosocial interventions to support individuals on their recovery journey.

This is a rewarding role that offers the opportunity to work collaboratively with service users, carers, families and a wide range of partner agencies to deliver person-centred care and positive outcomes.

Main duties of the job

• Manage a defined caseload of individuals experiencing severe and enduring mental health difficulties within the community.
• Undertake comprehensive mental health assessments using recovery-focused and strengths-based approaches.
• Develop, implement and review recovery care plans and risk management plans in partnership with service users and carers.
• Deliver evidence-based psychosocial interventions, supporting individuals to achieve their goals and maintain independence.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues, partner organisations and community services to provide coordinated care.
• Assess and manage risk, ensuring timely escalation and appropriate intervention where required.
• Participate in the team's duty system and contribute to wider team functions and service delivery.
• Support safeguarding processes and work closely with carers, families and significant others to promote wellbeing and recovery.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to service development, quality improvement and professional practice.

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.

Details

Date posted

16 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-5835

Job locations

Foundation House

Wellsprings Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA2 7PQ

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a Community Mental Health Practitioner, you will play a vital role in supporting adults experiencing serious and enduring mental health difficulties within a community setting. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will provide assessment, care coordination and evidence-based interventions, helping individuals to achieve their recovery goals and maintain independence wherever possible.

You will be responsible for managing your own caseload, undertaking comprehensive assessments, identifying risk and developing collaborative care and treatment plans. Using a recovery-focused approach, you will build purposeful therapeutic relationships with service users and their support networks, delivering interventions that promote resilience, hope and positive outcomes.

The role requires close working with a wide range of professionals and agencies, including primary care, inpatient services, social care, housing providers, voluntary organisations and safeguarding teams. You will contribute to effective multidisciplinary working, ensuring that care is coordinated and responsive to individual needs.

Applicants should have a professional qualification as a Registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) or Occupational Therapist, with current registration with the relevant professional body. You will possess strong assessment, communication and risk management skills, together with a commitment to delivering compassionate, person-centred care.

Due to the community-based nature of the role, applicants must hold a valid driving licence or have access to suitable transport, with appropriate business insurance, to travel across the service area.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive and dedicated team, helping shape positive outcomes for people living with mental health difficulties while further developing your skills and experience within community mental health services.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a Community Mental Health Practitioner, you will play a vital role in supporting adults experiencing serious and enduring mental health difficulties within a community setting. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will provide assessment, care coordination and evidence-based interventions, helping individuals to achieve their recovery goals and maintain independence wherever possible.

You will be responsible for managing your own caseload, undertaking comprehensive assessments, identifying risk and developing collaborative care and treatment plans. Using a recovery-focused approach, you will build purposeful therapeutic relationships with service users and their support networks, delivering interventions that promote resilience, hope and positive outcomes.

The role requires close working with a wide range of professionals and agencies, including primary care, inpatient services, social care, housing providers, voluntary organisations and safeguarding teams. You will contribute to effective multidisciplinary working, ensuring that care is coordinated and responsive to individual needs.

Applicants should have a professional qualification as a Registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) or Occupational Therapist, with current registration with the relevant professional body. You will possess strong assessment, communication and risk management skills, together with a commitment to delivering compassionate, person-centred care.

Due to the community-based nature of the role, applicants must hold a valid driving licence or have access to suitable transport, with appropriate business insurance, to travel across the service area.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive and dedicated team, helping shape positive outcomes for people living with mental health difficulties while further developing your skills and experience within community mental health services.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional care qualification
• Registration with the NMC, HPC or GSCC

Desirable

• A degree in nursing or commitment to work towards.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a community mental health setting.
• Experience of working with families, carers and significant others.

Desirable

• Experience of Recovery focused practice.

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Knowledge of care coordination.
• Knowledge of mental health and community care legislation and policy.
• Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Child and Adult Protection.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional care qualification
• Registration with the NMC, HPC or GSCC

Desirable

• A degree in nursing or commitment to work towards.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a community mental health setting.
• Experience of working with families, carers and significant others.

Desirable

• Experience of Recovery focused practice.

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Knowledge of care coordination.
• Knowledge of mental health and community care legislation and policy.
• Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Child and Adult Protection.

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

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Foundation House

Wellsprings Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA2 7PQ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Foundation House

Wellsprings Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA2 7PQ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Hiring Manager

laura scott

[email protected]

07385112425

Details

Date posted

16 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-5835

Job locations

Foundation House

Wellsprings Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA2 7PQ

United Kingdom

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