Community Associate Practitioner(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Automotive Jobs, Health and Care
Uk
March 12, 2026
Full Time Permanent
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Job Description

About the Opportunity

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is expanding its community services as part of an ongoing transformation programme designed to strengthen links between mental health services and primary care.

This innovative role has been developed in collaboration with Tees Valley Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to improve the physical health monitoring and support of individuals living with Severe Mental Illness (SMI).

The successful candidate will divide their time between:

  • Primary Care Networks across Tees Valley (50%)
  • Community Mental Health Hubs within the Trust (50%)

The role focuses on ensuring patients registered with severe mental illness receive regular physical health checks and preventative care, helping to reduce health inequalities and improve overall wellbeing.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Community Associate Practitioner, you will support patients and care teams by ensuring that people living with serious mental health conditions receive appropriate physical health monitoring.

Key duties include:

  • Working alongside GP practices and community mental health teams to identify patients who require physical health assessments.
  • Supporting individuals listed on the Severe Mental Illness (SMI) register to attend and complete health checks.
  • Using an assertive outreach approach to engage patients who may struggle to access services.
  • Carrying out physical health investigations using mobile clinical kits when appropriate.
  • Helping patients access appropriate follow-up care through GP services or specialist teams.
  • All necessary training will be provided to ensure you feel confident performing these tasks safely and effectively.

Working as Part of an Integrated Team

This position offers the chance to work within a collaborative and supportive environment.

You will work alongside:

  • Community Mental Health Teams
  • General Practitioners and Primary Care Networks
  • Care Coordinators and leadership teams
  • Other healthcare professionals involved in patient care

The focus of the role is to support recovery-focused care, ensuring service users and their carers receive holistic support that addresses both mental and physical health needs.

You will receive both clinical supervision and managerial guidance to help you manage your caseload effectively.

Professional Development

Working with Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust provides excellent opportunities for professional growth.

Staff benefit from:

  • Structured supervision and support
  • Ongoing training and development opportunities
  • Personal development planning through annual appraisal
  • Opportunities to expand clinical knowledge and community healthcare skills

About the Organisation

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is responsible for delivering mental health and learning disability services across several regions including County Durham, Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

The Trust works closely with local communities and partner organisations to provide care that is:

  • Compassionate
  • Person-centred
  • Recovery-focused
  • Accessible to those who need it most
  • Patients, carers and families play an active role in shaping how services are delivered.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must have:

  • A Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care
  • Level 2 qualifications in literacy and numeracy (or equivalent)
  • Basic IT skills including use of Microsoft Office applications

Essential Experience

Candidates should demonstrate experience in:

  • Supporting individuals with mental health, social care or learning disability needs
  • Working in a healthcare or support environment (e.g. Band 2 or Band 3 Healthcare Assistant role)
  • Delivering person-centred care

Essential Knowledge

Applicants should have an understanding of:

  • Person-centred healthcare approaches
  • Evidence-based practice in mental health and community services
  • Relevant legal frameworks such as mental health legislation
  • The Care Programme Approach (CPA) used within mental health services

Essential Skills

Candidates should demonstrate:

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Effective time management and organisational ability
  • Accurate record-keeping skills
  • Willingness to complete training such as breakaway techniques where required

Travel Requirements

Due to the community-based nature of this role, applicants must be able to travel across the locality and have access to suitable transport for work purposes.

Reasonable adjustments can be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Visa Sponsorship and Right to Work

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. Sponsorship may be considered in limited circumstances depending on immigration status and Home Office regulations.

Useful UK Government resources include:

These resources explain eligibility requirements, immigration policies and safeguarding checks for healthcare roles.

Safeguarding and Background Checks

This role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975 due to direct work with vulnerable individuals.

Work Location

Woodside Resource Centre (administrative base)
Cavendish Road
Middlesbrough
TS4 3EB
United Kingdom

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