Mental Health Practitioner

We are seeking an experienced and compassionate Mental Health Practitioner to join our Community Mental Health Service. This is an exciting opportunity to work as part of a multidisciplinary team providing high-quality, recovery-focused care to individuals with severe and enduring mental health difficulties.

In this role, you will act as a key member of our support and help line, offering timely and effective interventions via telephone and MS Teams. You will triage new referrals, liaise with referrers, carers, and other professionals, and undertake assessments using a collaborative, strengths-based approach. Your work will be central to promoting recovery, managing risk, and supporting service users in the community.

If you are passionate about mental health care, thrive in a dynamic environment, and want to make a real difference, we would love to hear from you.

• Provide telephone and virtual support to service users, carers, and professionals.
• Triage new referrals and gather essential information to support clinical decision-making.
• Undertake comprehensive assessments using recovery-focused and strengths-based models.
• Develop and communicate Recovery Care Plans and Risk Management Plans.
• Act as the first point of contact for clients in distress, offering reassurance and solution-focused interventions.
• Liaise with internal teams and external agencies to ensure coordinated care.
• Participate in team meetings, clinical governance, and service development initiatives.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and adhere to Trust policies and professional standards.

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.

In this role, you will:

• Clinical Practice: Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with service users, delivering evidence-based interventions such as motivational interviewing and solution-focused approaches. Assess and manage risk collaboratively, including safeguarding responsibilities for adults and children.
• Communication: Handle highly complex and sensitive information, often in emotive situations, and communicate effectively with service users, carers, and professionals. Use creative strategies to overcome barriers to understanding and acceptance.
• Collaboration: Work closely with multidisciplinary colleagues and external agencies, including GPs, voluntary sector partners, housing providers, and safeguarding teams, to ensure holistic care.
• Professional Standards: Act as a senior member of the team, role-modelling high standards of professional behaviour. Engage in regular supervision, reflective practice, and continuous professional development.
• Service Development: Contribute to audits, quality improvement projects, and clinical governance activities to enhance service delivery.
• Flexibility: Respond to unpredictable situations and manage challenging behaviour calmly and professionally. Be prepared to travel as required and…