First Contact Mental Health Practitioner(UK Visa Sponsorship)
Job Description
About the opportunity
An exciting and progressive opportunity has arisen for a First Contact Mental Health Practitioner (FCMHP) to work at the heart of primary care within Hambleton South Primary Care Network (PCN).
Following the success of our initial post, we are expanding the service to further strengthen early access, prevention, and integrated mental health support for local communities. This role offers the chance to work closely with GP practices while maintaining a healthy work–life balance, including no weekend working and all bank holidays off.
Applications are welcomed from:
- Mental Health Nurses (NMC)
- Occupational Therapists (HCPC)
- Social Workers (England)
- Why this role matters
Primary Care Networks are a cornerstone of NHS transformation, bringing GP practices together with community, mental health, social care, hospital, pharmacy, and voluntary services to deliver person-centred, preventative care.
As a First Contact Mental Health Practitioner, you will help ensure that people experiencing mental health difficulties receive timely, appropriate support—often without needing to wait for secondary care referral.
What you’ll be doing
In this role, you will act as a specialist mental health clinician embedded within GP practices, seeing patients who might otherwise have been managed solely by a GP.
Your work will include:
- Acting as a first point of contact for mental health presentations in primary care
- Undertaking triage, assessments, reviews, and brief interventions
- Providing time-limited psychosocial support (typically up to 6 weeks) for mild to moderate mental health needs
- Offering specialist clinical advice to GPs and practice teams, supporting shared decision-making
- Supporting safe and effective transitions between primary care and secondary mental health services
- Navigating and signposting patients to appropriate community, voluntary, and specialist services
- Working closely with care coordinators, social prescribers, and wider PCN colleagues
- Contributing to MDT discussions and pathway development to reduce gaps in care
- Clinical supervision will be provided by an experienced Band 7 Mental Health Practitioner.
Working collaboratively
You will be a key member of a multidisciplinary primary care team, building strong relationships across:
- GP practices
- Community mental health services
- Secondary care
- Voluntary and third-sector organisations
You will help foster a culture of partnership, shared learning, and integrated working, ensuring patients receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place.
- About Hambleton South PCN
- Hambleton South PCN includes:
- Lambert Medical Centre
- Thirsk Health Centre
- Topcliffe Surgery
- Glebe House Surgery
Based in the market towns of Thirsk and Bedale, the PCN is committed to delivering personalised, community-focused care. You will join a welcoming, forward-thinking workforce that values innovation, autonomy, and compassion.
Who we’re looking for
You will be a confident, compassionate practitioner who:
- Has significant experience supporting people with mental ill health in community settings
- Is skilled in assessment, risk management, and psychosocial interventions
- Enjoys working autonomously while remaining connected to a supportive MDT
- Is motivated to help shape and develop a growing service
- Primary care experience is helpful but not essential—training and support will be provided.
Mental Capacity Act guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-capacity-act-code-of-practice
Practical requirements
Ability to travel independently across the locality (reasonable adjustments considered under the Equality Act 2010)
Subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
Visa sponsorship information (where applicable):
https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
About TEWV
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is a leading provider of mental health and learning disability services across the North East and North Yorkshire. We are committed to staff wellbeing, professional development, and compassionate care, and we actively encourage innovation and leadership at every level.
Interested?
If you are a Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Social Worker who is passionate about improving access to mental health care and working in a truly integrated way within primary care, we would love to hear from you.
Apply now and help shape the future of community mental health support in Hambleton South.
