Mental Health Practitioner - Managing Risk Pathway

Islettechnologies; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 31,000 - GBP 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A Health Trust in the UK is looking for a Band 5 Mental Health Practitioner to join its Crisis Service. The role involves conducting mental health assessments and delivering interventions for children and young people. Ideal candidates will possess relevant qualifications and experience in mental health environments. The position offers flexible working hours and requires travel across the region to meet client needs. A strong ability to collaborate with various stakeholders is essential.

Qualifications

• Must hold professional registration with NMC, HCPC, or similar.
• Degree level qualification in a relevant field is essential.
• Some experience in mental health settings is needed.

Responsibilities

• Conduct mental health assessments for clients in crisis.
• Provide evidence-based interventions to alleviate distress.
• Collaborate with families and professionals for care plans.

Skills

Professional registration/accreditation

Professional qualification at degree level

Evidence of relevant continuing professional development

Post‑graduate experience in mental-health environments

Education

Degree in Nursing, Social Work, or Occupational Therapy

Job description

Job Summary

Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) is excited to advertise for a Band 5 Mental Health Practitioner to join our Crisis Service, part of the Urgent Care Pathway. This is a permanent post based in North Devon Team at Springfield Court, Barnstaple. The Crisis Service provides rapid mental health assessment and brief intervention for children and young people experiencing acute emotional distress, reducing risk, preventing hospital admissions and supporting young people to stay safely in their communities with trauma‑informed, collaborative care.

The service operates 8 am–10 pm, seven days a week. Flexible, rota‑based working supports timely, responsive care. The successful candidate must be able to travel across Devon to meet the requirements of the role.

Main Duties

• Undertake timely mental health assessments for children and young people presenting in crisis.
• Deliver short‑term, evidence‑based interventions to reduce distress and risk.
• Work collaboratively with families, schools, social care, and other health professionals to create safe and effective care plans.

Job Responsibilities

Our approach is rooted in evidence‑based practices and regular outcome assessments. We emphasise a strength‑based methodology, promoting collaborative work with people. The role centres on managing risk and evaluating mental health presentations in the community, responding to both urgent and routine needs, whether planned or unforeseen. Flexibility is key, as you will work across various clinical, community, and home‑based settings.

Person Specification

Qualifications – Essential

• Professional registration/accreditation with a recognised body, e.g. NMC, HCPC, Social Work England (confirm which registration you hold and when you obtained it).
• Professional qualification at degree level or equivalent, e.g. Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy.
• Evidence of relevant continuing professional development.

Experience – Essential

• Post‑graduate experience working within mental‑health environments or willingness to complete the DPT preceptorship programme.

Experience – Desirable

• Experience managing a caseload of clients with a range of mental health problems.
• Demonstrates sound theoretical knowledge of children and young people mental health practice.
• Working within a community setting in either the statutory or voluntary sector.
• Experience of working in a multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency environment.

Other – Essential

• The ability to travel across Devon to meet the requirements of the role.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975; Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service is required.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information see NHS Careers website.

Additional Information

Employer: Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

Location: Integrated Children Services, Fishleigh Road, Roundswell Business Park, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 3UD.

Reference number: C9369‑26‑0942‑2.

Band: Band 5.

Salary: £31,049 to £37,796 a year.

Contract: Permanent.

Working pattern: Full‑time, Flexible working.

Employer details

Devon Partnership NHS Trust – https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/

About Us

Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) comprises an Alliance of NHS organisations working together to improve health outcomes for children and young people in Devon. CFHD provides integrated care and treatment for children and young people across physical and mental health, which is provided by Torbay and South Devon Foundation Trust and Devon Partnership Trust. We work closely with local universities of Plymouth, Exeter & the Peninsula Medical School to support students in clinical training placements and provide postgraduate training for our staff.

Our children and young people say

We would like the people who work for Children and Family Health Devon to be understanding, patient and respectful. They should be trustworthy and make us feel safe and comfortable. It is important that they use their skills and experience to listen carefully in a non‑patronising and non‑judgemental way. When staff are positive and friendly, they help to create an environment that is informal and without pressure.

Date posted

30 January 2026