About this role
Job summary
Are you passionate about supporting babies, parents and families during one of the most important periods of their lives? Do you have the skills and compassion to help families navigate the challenges that can come with perinatal mental health difficulties?
We are looking for a dedicated Parent Infant Practitioner to join Somerset's specialist Perinatal and Maternal Mental Health Service. In this rewarding community-based role, you will work alongside a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, supporting pregnant women, new mothers and their babies where moderate to severe mental health difficulties are impacting family life.
This is an opportunity to make a lasting difference. You will help strengthen parent-infant relationships, promote infant wellbeing and development, and support families to create safe, nurturing environments where both parent and baby can thrive. Every day brings the chance to positively influence outcomes for some of the most vulnerable families in Somerset. This is a highly rewarding role for someone who is passionate about infant mental health, early intervention and supporting families through adversity.
Main duties of the job
Working autonomously and as part of a specialist multidisciplinary team, you will provide evidence-based interventions that strengthen the bond between parents and their babies, helping families build confidence, resilience and positive relationships. You will work with families in community settings, undertaking comprehensive assessments and developing tailored plans that address emotional, psychological, physical and social needs.
You will support parents experiencing significant mental health challenges during pregnancy and the postnatal period, helping them understand and respond to their baby's needs while promoting healthy development and emotional wellbeing. Through compassionate, person-centred care, you will empower families to achieve the best possible outcomes for themselves and their children.
Partnership working is at the heart of this role. You will work closely with a wide range of professionals and community services to ensure families receive coordinated, holistic support. You will also contribute to safeguarding processes, child protection planning and risk management, ensuring that the safety and wellbeing of babies remains a central focus.
Alongside your clinical responsibilities, you will have opportunities to share your expertise through training, mentorship and service development activities. You will be encouraged to contribute ideas, support innovation and play an active role in shaping high-quality perinatal and parent-infant services across Somerset.
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 lifeNHS pension scheme for long-term financial securityGenerous annual leave allowance to recharge and relaxA strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potentialAdditionally, 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.
Job description Job responsibilities
As a Parent Infant Practitioner, you will play a vital role in supporting families across the antenatal and postnatal period. You will:
Deliver specialist parent-infant interventions that promote healthy attachment, emotional wellbeing and positive child development.Carry out assessments, develop personalised support plans and monitor progress for families with complex needs.Work directly with parents to build confidence, strengthen parenting skills and enhance relationships with their babies.Provide practical guidance on infant care, feeding, sleep, development and emotional wellbeing.Act as an advocate for babies within multidisciplinary discussions, ensuring their needs remain central to care planning.Collaborate closely with midwives, health visitors, mental health professionals, social care teams and community organisations to provide joined-up support.Identify and manage risks, contributing to safeguarding processes and multidisciplinary care plans.Support the ongoing development of the service through training, education, supervision and sharing specialist knowledge with colleagues and partner agencies.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
One of the following qualifications: Degree in Childcare and Education or Play workDegree level in Early Years and EducationBA (hons) in childhood studiesDegree Level qualification in Children's Care, Learning and DevelopmentNNEB or equivalent e.g.: Diploma in Childcare and Education (DCE) /BTEC National Diploma in Early Years and EducationVocational, NVQ, Diploma Level 5 Early Years and Education plus additional qualification in the speciality to degree level or experience
Experience Essential
Significant recent experience of working with children and their familiesSignificant experience in child developmentProven experience of working within a parent and infant mental health settingProven experience of safeguarding children
Desirable
Experience of working within a Perinatal Mental Health Service
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.
Employer details Employer name Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Glanville House
Church Street
Bridgwater
Somerset
TA6 5AT
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)