Mental Health Practitioner(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

About the Role

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a skilled and compassionate Mental Health Practitioner to join our Community Mental Health Service. This role offers the chance to make a real impact supporting people living with severe and enduring mental health difficulties, while working within a supportive and experienced multidisciplinary team.

You’ll play a vital role within our support and helpline function, delivering timely, recovery-focused interventions through telephone and virtual platforms (including MS Teams). This is a dynamic, fast-paced position where your clinical judgement, communication skills, and ability to work collaboratively will be central to helping people feel safe, supported, and empowered in their recovery.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a key member of the community service, you will:

• Provide telephone and virtual mental health support to service users, carers, and professionals
• Act as a first point of contact for people experiencing distress, offering calm, solution-focused interventions
• Triage new referrals and gather relevant clinical information to inform decision-making
• Carry out holistic assessments using strengths-based and recovery-oriented approaches
• Develop, review, and communicate Recovery Care Plans and Risk Management Plans
• Manage and review risk collaboratively, including safeguarding responsibilities
• Liaise with internal teams and partner organisations to ensure coordinated care
• Maintain high-quality clinical records in line with Trust policy and professional standards
• Contribute to clinical governance, audits, and service improvement initiatives
• All practice is delivered in line with NHS community mental health frameworks

Clinical & Professional Practice

In this role, you’ll be trusted to handle complex and sensitive situations, often supporting individuals during moments of crisis. You’ll use evidence-based approaches such as motivational interviewing and solution-focused techniques, adapting your communication style to meet individual needs.

You’ll work closely with a wide range of partners, including GPs, voluntary sector organisations, housing providers, and safeguarding services, ensuring care is holistic, coordinated, and person-centred.

Safeguarding practice aligns with national guidance for adults and children

About You

You’ll be a confident and empathetic practitioner who thrives in community-based mental health care.

Essential Qualifications

• Current UK professional registration
• Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) or equivalent professional qualification
• Evidence of post-qualifying professional development in an acute or community setting

Essential Experience

• Substantial post-registration experience within community mental health services
• Experience assessing and managing risk for individuals in crisis
• Proven ability to develop, review, and evaluate care plans with service users and carers
• Strong understanding of mental health conditions and recovery-focused practice

Additional Requirements

Access to regular transport to meet service needs

Flexibility & Resilience

Community mental health work can be unpredictable. You’ll need to respond calmly to challenging situations, adapt to changing priorities, and be willing to travel as required. Training such as PMVA will be provided to support safe and effective practice.

Working arrangements align with UK working time regulations

Pre-Employment Checks & Sponsorship

This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975

Applicants requiring Skilled Worker visa sponsorship are welcome to apply and will be considered alongside UK-based candidates

Overseas applicants must also meet criminal record certification requirements

Why Join Somerset NHS Foundation Trust?

We’re committed to supporting our people as much as our patients. When you join Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, you’ll benefit from:

• Flexible working options to support work–life balance
• NHS Pension Scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Ongoing learning, supervision, and career development opportunities
• Access to the Blue Light Card with exclusive discounts
• We’re proud to be an inclusive employer and actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

Why Somerset?

Somerset offers an exceptional quality of life — from rolling countryside and stunning coastlines to easy access to vibrant cities such as Bristol, Bath, and Exeter, all within commuting distance. With excellent schools and more affordable housing than many parts of the UK, it’s a fantastic place to grow both professionally and personally.

Ready to Apply?

If you’re passionate about community mental health and want to be part of a service that genuinely values recovery, collaboration, and compassion, we’d love to hear from you.