Primary Mental Health Specialist

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 23 January 2026

Are you an experienced child and adolescent mental health practitioner looking for an exciting opportunity to make a positive difference to the mental health of children and young people aged four to eighteen years? Do you have the ability to both deliver high quality interventions and develop the skills and knowledge of universal child practitioners in child and adolescent mental health?

If so, we are looking for a Primary Mental Health Specialist to support the delivery of Gates heads innovative and creative targeted Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Service (Getting Help).

This multi‑disciplinary team delivers evidence‑based interventions for children, young people and their families who present with a wide range of mental health difficulties.

The main purpose of the role is to work as a member of the Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Service in Gateshead, providing Getting Help Mental Health interventions to Children and Young People.

This includes direct provision of evidence‑based, outcome‑focused standards of care to children, young people and families and the delivery of high‑quality training, consultation and support to other children’s service providers.

We expect the post holder to have sound knowledge and skills in children and young people’s mental health. You will have the aptitude, motivation and enthusiasm for working within a ground‑breaking service.

• An appropriate professional qualification and registration in nursing, teaching (with QTS Qualified Teacher Status), social work or allied health professions e.g. RGN, RMN, OT, DipSW,
  
  B.Ed., PGCE or equivalent.
• Additional postgraduate qualification in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, therapeutic training or other relevant area.
• Significant experience of working to support the mental health needs of children, young people and families.
• Ability to work at the complex interface between universal and specialist children’s service provision.

For an informal discussion about this post please contact Carl Sketchley, CYPMHS Clinical Lead or Fiona Scott, Clinical Team Manager on .

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust – There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award‑winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture and working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups. Looking after our workforce’s health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high‑quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits – Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co‑ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.

If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

• To work as a member of the Gateshead CYPMHS Getting Help Service providing mental health interventions to Children and Young People aged 4‑18 years.
• Direct provision of evidence‑based, outcome‑focused standards of care to children, young people and families and the delivery of high‑quality training, consultation and support to other universal children…