Mental health Practitioner
At a glance
- Band
- Band 6
- Contract
- Fixed-term
- Pattern
- Part-time
- Posted
- 19/08/2026
- Closes
- 14/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
This is an opportunity for a qualified Mental Health Practitioner to join the Connect Team 0-18, a specialist therapeutic service for Children in Care across Suffolk. The role involves working creatively with young people and their families, undertaking assessments, managing caseloads, and participating in multi-agency consultations. The team is multidisciplinary and committed to reflective practice and tailored care packages. This is a fixed-term position for maternity leave cover, advertised as 0.4 WTE for 12 months, with consideration for 0.8 WTE for 6 months.
Essential criteria
- Registered Mental Health or Learning Disability Nurse, Occupational Therapist OR Social Worker with the relevant professional registration
- Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor training (NMC registrants) or Practice Educator (AHP & Social Worker Registrants)
Desirable criteria
- Higher degree or post graduate certificate in area of clinical / therapeutic practice
- Experience in the delivery of clinical interventions
- Experience of managing a caseload and the provision of Mental Health Care services to people with mental health care needs
- Experience in supporting service development and quality improvement initiatives
- Competent assessment skills
- Care planning and Risk assessment knowledge and skills
- Prevention and Management of Suicide training
- Registered Mental Health or Learning Disability Nurse, Occupational Therapist OR Social Worker with the relevant professional registration
- Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor training (NMC registrants) or Practice Educator (AHP & Social Worker Registrants)
- Higher degree or post graduate certificate in area of clinical / therapeutic practice
- Experience in the delivery of clinical interventions
- Experience of managing a caseload and the provision of Mental Health Care services to people with mental health care needs
- Experience in supporting service development and quality improvement initiatives
- Competent assessment skills
- Care planning and Risk assessment knowledge and skills
- Prevention and Management of Suicide training
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 6 at £37,338 – £44,962 a year, across England.
This advert: £39,959 – £48,117 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 19d ago · Closes in 8d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
Mental health Practitioner
The closing date is 14 September 2026
Job summary
Hybrid working and a warm welcome accompany this opportunity to work creatively with young people and their families. We are the Connect Team 0-18, a specialist therapeutic needs led service working with Children in Care and permanently placed across Suffolk. An opportunity has arisen for a qualified Mental health Practitioner, Band 6 to work within the Connect Team. The team are currently based between Walker Close, Ipswich and Ickworth Lodge, Bury St Edmunds. Our team prides itself on highly skilled practitioners, currently we consist of a Consultant psychiatrist, clinical psychologists, Arts and Drama Psychotherapists, Psychodynamic psychotherapist and Mental health practitioners. We learn, develop and work together to ensure the young person and their families receive a tailored package of care. We are committed to reflective practice and formulations that strengthen the team in all aspects.
We are looking for a highly skilled practitioner who holds a nursing or social work registration. Experience of working with children, young people and their families and carers with knowledge of attachment, child development and working systemically would be especially welcome.
This post is on a fixed term basis as Maternity leave Cover and is advertised as 0
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