Senior Community Mental Health Practitioner UK Visa Sponsorship
Job Description
Location: Goodall Centre, Bishop Auckland
Employer: Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Salary: £39,959 – £48,117 per annum
Band: 6
Reference: 346-DDA-095-26-A
Date Posted: 1 September 2026
About the Opportunity
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Senior Community Mental Health Practitioner to join The Dales Community Team in Bishop Auckland.
This Band 6 position offers an excellent opportunity for a qualified mental health professional who wants to strengthen their clinical practice while developing leadership skills within a supportive community environment.
You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team providing care to adults living with severe and enduring mental health conditions. The role involves supporting people who may find it difficult to engage with services and who can face additional challenges such as social exclusion, deprivation and the effects of trauma.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
As a senior practitioner, you will manage your own caseload and take an active role in assessing, planning and coordinating care.
Your responsibilities will include:
– Carrying out comprehensive mental health assessments.
– Coordinating care plans and reviewing patients’ needs.
– Delivering appropriate therapeutic and clinical interventions within the community.
– Supporting individuals who may have complex or long-term mental health needs.
– Building positive and professional relationships with service users and their families or carers.
– Working closely with colleagues across the multidisciplinary team.
– Liaising with statutory organisations and voluntary or third-sector services.
– Identifying and managing clinical risks appropriately.
– Applying safeguarding procedures and relevant mental health legislation.
– Contributing to service development and quality improvement.
– Providing clinical supervision and supporting the development of colleagues and students where appropriate.
This position would suit someone who is confident working independently while also recognising the importance of collaborative, person-centred care.
Professional Development and Support
The Trust is committed to helping its staff develop both clinically and professionally.
You will have access to regular appraisal, clinical supervision, management supervision and caseload reviews. You will also work alongside an experienced multidisciplinary leadership team that can provide guidance and support as you develop within the Band 6 role.
Applicants should demonstrate a positive attitude towards continuing professional development and be willing to contribute to improvements in the quality of services.
Essential Requirements
Applicants must have:
– Current registration with the appropriate UK professional regulatory body.
– Evidence of continuing professional development.
– At least 18 months of post-qualification experience, including completion of the relevant preceptorship or competency framework.
– Experience working with people experiencing mental ill health within a community environment.
– Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
– Experience collaborating with service users and their families or carers.
– Experience providing clinical supervision.
– Experience mentoring or supporting students during practice placements.
– Experience participating in quality improvement work.
– Knowledge of evidence-based practice relevant to the specialist area.
– Understanding of legislation including the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.
– Knowledge of the Care Programme Approach (CPA).
– A sound understanding of safeguarding.
– Knowledge of clinical risk assessment and risk management.
– Understanding of clinical governance and research and development.
– Knowledge of psychological approaches used in mental health care.
– Appropriate literacy, numeracy and IT skills, equivalent to Level 2.
For registered nurses, relevant teaching and assessing qualifications such as MIP, FLIP, ENB 998 Teaching & Assessing in Clinical Practice or City & Guilds 730 Teaching in Adult Education are required.
A recognised sign-off mentor, clinical educator or equivalent qualification is also expected, or must be achieved within the agreed timeframe.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
The following would be advantageous but are not essential:
– A leadership or management qualification.
– A relevant postgraduate qualification.
– Non-medical prescribing qualification for registered nurses.
– Previous leadership or management experience.
– Familiarity with the Trust’s Quality Improvement System (QIS).
Travel Requirements
Because this is a community-based position, you must be able to travel independently throughout the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for work-related duties.
Where appropriate, reasonable adjustments may be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010.
About the Trust
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and learning disability services across County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.
The Trust delivers a broad range of services, from prevention and early intervention through to crisis support and specialist care. Its teams work closely with patients, families, carers, communities and partner organisations to provide compassionate and effective support.
The organisation places importance on listening to people who use its services and involving them in decisions about their care. It also encourages innovation and continuous improvement to help communities access the mental health support they need.
Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship
Applications are welcomed from candidates who require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, and eligible applicants will be considered alongside other candidates.
However, sponsorship is not automatic. Applicants must meet the relevant UK immigration and role-specific requirements before a Certificate of Sponsorship can be issued.
Candidates should check their eligibility and the latest requirements before applying through the official UK government guidance:
“UK Skilled Worker visa guidance” (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/0)
Overseas applicants may also be required to provide criminal record certificates covering countries where they have lived for the relevant periods, in accordance with UK immigration requirements.
UK Professional Registration
Applicants must hold current professional registration in the UK appropriate to the profession and role.
DBS Check
This position is subject to the applicable provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and Exceptions Order 1975. Successful candidates will therefore be required to undergo the appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Job Details at a Glance
Position| Senior Community Mental Health Practitioner
Band| 6
Salary| £39,959 – £48,117 per year
Contract| Permanent
Hours| Full-time
Location| Goodall Centre, Walker Drive, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6QN
Reference| 346-DDA-095-26-A
Employer| Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Posted| 1 September 2026
Important Application Information
The vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if a large number of applications are received. Candidates interested in the position are therefore encouraged to submit their application as early as possible.
Applicants should review the complete job description and person specification before applying to ensure they meet the required professional, registration and experience criteria.
