Senior Mental Health Practitioner- CAMHS MHST: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Senior Mental Health Practitioner (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 framework, and provide up to 10 sessions per young person.

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.

“Working for the MHST for 3 years has been both interesting and challenging. As a Health Visitor in background, I am not the typical SMHP but with listening skills and training in some CBT previously, the University’s Low Intensity Supervisors course developed my expertise alongside a supportive environment. Liaising with Mental Health Leads in schools, to identify Whole School Approaches, early interventions to children and their families, within the broader context of CAMHS has been enlightening.” – JC

Main duties of the job

Main duties

• Hold a small clinical caseload of CYP with low to moderate mental health needs, delivering short-term, evidence-based interventions.
• 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.

Closing Date: 3 September 2026