Senior Mental Health Practitioner - Children's Crisis Service

Islettechnologies; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health institution in North Devon is seeking a Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join its urgent care pathway. The role involves delivering crisis assessments and interventions for children and young people experiencing mental health crises. Candidates should possess a professional mental health qualification and substantial experience in managing complex cases. The position offers a competitive salary and the chance to work in a supportive, multi-disciplinary team, with flexible full-time working patterns.

Benefits

Clinical supervision

Peer support

Continuing Professional Development

Qualifications

• Substantial experience managing complex caseloads with children/young people.
• Experience within a community CAMHS mental health setting.
• Experience in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment.

Responsibilities

• Deliver crisis assessments, safety plans and brief interventions.
• Participate in a rota covering daytime and evening hours.
• Liaise with education, social care and acute services.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to engage with children/young people

Ability to communicate with professionals

Computer literacy

Education

Professional mental health qualification (RMN, Social Work Degree)

Active registration with professional body (NMC, HCPC)

Job description

Job Summary

Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) is recruiting Senior Mental Health Practitioners to join our Urgent Care Pathway based in North Devon. The Urgent Care team supports children and young people experiencing mental health crisis, delivering timely assessment, intervention and safety planning. The service operates 9 am to 10 pm, seven days a week, and successful candidates will contribute to a rota that includes evenings and weekends. Working as part of a friendly, experienced multi‑disciplinary team, you will provide crisis care that is trauma‑informed, compassionate and youth‑centred.

Main Duties

• Deliver crisis assessments, safety plans and brief interventions for young people in distress.
• Respond flexibly to urgent presentations, often in partnership with families and schools.
• Participate in a rota covering daytime and evening hours, including weekends.
• Liaise with education, social care and acute services to ensure joined‑up care.
• Support service development, quality improvement and reflective team practice.

We Offer

• A welcoming and supportive Urgent Care team in either locality.
• Clinical supervision, peer support and opportunities for CPD.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact at a critical time for young people and families.

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 across physical and mental health, delivered by Torbay and South Devon Foundation Trust and Devon Partnership Trust. We work closely with other organisations and providers to ensure locality and county‑wide based integrated access to all services, based on the i‑Thrive Framework. CFHD collaborates with university partners in Plymouth, Exeter and the Peninsula Medical School, supporting students in clinical training placements and providing postgraduate training for staff.

Feedback from Children and Young People

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.

Details

Date posted: 17 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 6

Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 a year

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time, Flexible working

Reference number: C9369‑25‑0362‑4

Job locations: Integrated Childrens Services, Fishleigh Road, Roundswell Business Park, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 3UD

Person Specification

Qualifications

• A professional mental health qualification, e.g. RMN, Social Work Degree, BSc/Diploma in OT, SROT or equivalent.
• Active registration with the appropriate professional body, e.g. NMC, HCPC.

Desirable

• Recognised qualification in evidence‑based therapeutic mental health interventions for children/young people and their families/carers.

Experience

• Substantial experience managing an extensive and complex caseload and working with children/young people presenting with a range of complex mental health presentations.
• Experience working within a community CAMHS mental health setting.
• Experience working in a multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to engage with children/young people of all ages experiencing a wide range of mental health presentations.
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of professionals from various settings, sharing own professional knowledge, skills and expertise while valuing others’ perspectives.
• Able to produce well‑written reports.
• Ability to work flexibly and be mobile across a geographical area in a timely manner and in accordance with service need.
• Computer literacy.
• Willingness to work extended hours, which may vary depending on the agreed job plan. The Crisis service operates between the hours of 9 am and 10 pm, 7 days per week, for unplanned crisis care and between the hours of 9 am and 8 pm (Monday‑Friday) and 9 am and 5 pm Sat/Sun/BH for planned care.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and therefore a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) is required 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. Further information can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration

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

Employer Details

Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Integrated Childrens Services
Fishleigh Road
Roundswell Business Park
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 3UD

Employer website: www.dpt.nhs.uk