Job Summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Senior Mental Health Practitioner / Supervisor (SMHP) to join our Mental Health Support Team (MHST) within Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.
This is a varied and rewarding role, where you will hold a small clinical caseload of children and young people (CYP) with low to moderate mental health concerns, deliver early interventions in line with the CAMHS model, and provide up to 10 sessions per young person. You will also provide high-quality clinical supervision to Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) and trainees, in line with university guidance, and be supported to complete the CYP-IAPT Supervisory Course as part of your role.
You will act as a key link between education settings and MHST, offering consultation, advice, signposting, and resources to support a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing. Working closely with schools, GPs, social care, public health, and other partners, you will contribute to improving outcomes for children and young people across your locality.
Main duties of the job
- Hold a small clinical caseload of CYP with low to moderate mental health needs, delivering short-term, evidence-based interventions.
- Provide regular case management supervision, clinical oversight, and skills training to EMHPs and trainees.
- Successfully complete the CYP-IAPT supervisory course and apply supervision skills in practice.
- Act as a main point of contact between education settings and MHST, offering advice, consultation, and signposting to other services.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with schools, GPs, social care, public health, and voluntary sector partners.
- Support the development and delivery of whole-school approaches to mental health and wellbeing.
- Participate in service evaluation, audit, and clinical governance to ensure high-quality provision.
- Maintain accurate records, reports, and statistical data in line with Trust and professional standards.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualification in nursing, social work, occupational or family therapy, child psychology, or equivalent field.
- Current core registration with a relevant professional body.
- To have training in and/or substantial experience in the use of behaviour and or brief/solution focused techniques with children and families.
- Evidence of previous and ongoing commitment to continuous professional development.
Desirable
- Qualification in CBT/ Counselling / psychotherapy / behaviour modification / social skills or group therapy
Experience
Essential
- Significant post-qualifying experience of working with children and young people with mental health difficulties
- Previous experience in a children’s service which preferably includes liaising and advice giving to referrers and clients at the point of entry to a service.
Desirable
- Experience in facilitation or delivery of training
- Experience and/or qualifications in one or more of the following areas would be desirable: Cognitive Therapy/Counselling/Psychotherapy; Behaviour Modification; Social Skills or Group Therapy; Family Therapy.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Evidence of the ability to assist in supervising, and guiding the administrative support dedicated to this post, and to work harmoniously with colleague’s, clients and referrers under pressure in a multi-disciplinary team setting.
- Ability to work both assertively and with awareness of one’s limitations; excellent telephone, face to face and written communication skills with children and young people, carers and referrers.
- Ability to travel around the county and outside base frequently given the community based nature of this post.
- Ability to frequently work from home to complete administration and video meetings.
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.
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).
Closing Date: 15 January 2026
