About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Registered Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Social Worker to join the Somerset Team for Early Psychosis (STEP).
As a Mental Health Practitioner, you will provide triage of initial referrals, assessment, outreach, education and liaison for people experiencing a first episode of psychosis. You will also provide individual therapy and support, alongside family interventions, working with individuals and those who are important to them.
You will be joining a passionate multidisciplinary team made up of nurses, psychologists and peer support workers, where every perspective is valued. Working within a biopsychosocial model, we take a creative and person-centred approach to supporting people experiencing First Episode Psychosis. Alongside evidence-based interventions, we offer innovative group activities including art projects, online gaming groups and outdoor adventure activities such as paddle boarding.
This is an excellent opportunity for a practitioner committed to recovery-focused care, collaborative working and continual service improvement.
The post holder must have a full driving licence and permanent access to their own vehicle with appropriate business insurance.
Main duties of the job
Triage and assess referrals for individuals presenting with a first episode of psychosis or who may be at risk of developing psychosis.Provide individual therapeutic interventions using recovery-focused, strengths-based and psychosocial approaches.Deliver family interventions and support to carers and significant others.Develop, implement and review recovery plans and risk management plans in partnership with service users and carers.Undertake risk assessments and respond appropriately to changing levels of risk and need.Work collaboratively with a wide range of partner agencies to ensure coordinated care and support.Contribute to safeguarding processes and the protection of children, young people and adults.Provide supervision, support and mentorship to junior colleagues, students and unregistered staff as appropriate.Participate in service development, audit, evaluation and quality improvement activities.
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 Band 6 Mental Health Practitioner within STEP, you will play a key role in delivering specialist early intervention services to individuals experiencing first episode psychosis. You will undertake comprehensive assessments, formulate care plans and deliver evidence-based interventions that promote recovery, wellbeing and social inclusion.
Working autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with service users, families and carers. You will utilise a range of approaches including motivational interviewing, solution-focused practice, family interventions and psychosocial interventions to support recovery and engagement.
A significant aspect of the role involves working closely with families and significant others, recognising the important role they play in recovery. You will provide support, education and family interventions to improve understanding, strengthen resilience and promote positive outcomes.
You will work collaboratively with a wide range of agencies including primary care, inpatient services, CAMHS, social care, housing providers, substance misuse services, voluntary sector organisations and safeguarding teams to ensure coordinated and effective support.
The role requires skilled assessment and management of risk, including identifying changes in presentation, responding to safeguarding concerns and supporting individuals through periods of increased distress or relapse. You will communicate complex and sensitive information with empathy, professionalism and confidence.
As a senior member of the team, you will contribute to clinical leadership and service development, supporting colleagues through supervision, mentoring and reflective practice. You will actively participate in audit, evaluation and quality improvement initiatives to help shape and enhance services for people experiencing psychosis across Somerset.
This role offers the opportunity to work within an innovative, recovery-focused service where creativity, compassion and partnership working are central to supporting people to achieve their goals and build meaningful lives beyond psychosis.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
RMN, Social Work or Occupational Therapy QualificationCurrent registration with relevant professional bodyEvidence of post qualifying professional development in an acute setting.
Desirable
Degree/Diploma level qualification in family interventions in psychosis (eg. FIRST Course)/CBT for Psychosis/Psychosocial InterventionsOther relevant specialist CPD qualification (eg. Clinical assessment)
Experience Essential
Significant post registration experience in multi-disciplinary community mental health services.Experience of managing the physical health of clients including physical observation skills, training in phlebotomy and taking ECG's or willing to undertake training as part of the role.Experience of managing risk of clients in crisis.Experience of assessment, care-plan, development and evaluation in conjunction with clients and carers.Experience and knowledge of working with people with mental health problems.
Desirable
Experience of mental health difficulties.
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.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Foundation House
Wellsprings Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA2 7PQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)