Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Specialist Clinical Practitioner MBT (opt 4 recruit to train B6)
The closing date is 24 November 2026

Job summary
Are you someone who has passion to come alongside some of the most complex and vulnerable individuals to access our services what might be described as Complex Emotional Need? Are you driven by wanting to improve the psychological health and wellbeing of people across Exeter and East Devon? Are you some looking to reduce stigma and discrimination for individuals with complex emotional need accessing mental health support?

The role of the Specialist Clinical Practitioner will help Devon Partnership Trust to meet its aspirations to improve the Complex Emotional Needs Pathway, as envisaged by the Community Mental Health Framework.

The Specialist Clinical Practitioner will specifically look to support the stability and delivery of Mentalisation Based Therapy in Group and individual programme as well as MBTi the psycho-educational intervention.

In addition to delivery of these specific treatment pathway practitioners will also come alongside clinicians from wider DPT services supporting individuals with Complex Emotional Need to assess and formulate their difficulties, to enable deeper understanding of their needs, develop co-produced safety plans and identify appropriate interventions and improve recovery.

Main duties of the job

• Assess, diagnose/formulate, plan, implement and evaluate interventions and care for patients presenting with an undifferentiated diagnosis.
• Support with the triaging of referrals within the service.
• Clinically examine and perform complex assessments for patient needs from a psychological perspective, and plan clinical care accordingly.
• Proactively identify, formulate and manage care plans for patients at risk of developing a long-term condition (as appropriate).
• Work with patients in order to support shared decision making to optimise engagement with therapeutic interventions.
• Prioritise mental health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care.
• Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy lifestyles, and apply principles of self-care and well-being.

About us
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do.

Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Details
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £39,959 to £56,515 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: C9369-26-0895
Job location: Devon Partnership NHS Trust, Wonford House, Dryden Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5AF, United Kingdom

Person specification
Essential experience

• An understanding of the National Guidance relating to Mental Health and Learning Disabilities and Mental Health Act/ Mental Health Capacity Act requirements.
• Personalised Care Framework process.
• Extensive post registration experience working at band 6 in mental health care, working in both inpatient and community settings within a mental health and/or learning disabilities setting.
• Substantial experience of managing/leading a busy caseload of clients with a range of mental health/challenging behaviour needs within a community setting and without supervision.
• Working within a community mental health setting in either the statutory or voluntary sector.
• Experience of clinically supervising junior and unqualified staff and mentoring students.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment.
• Participation in user involvement in services.
• High level communication skills including: Presentation and facilitation skills; Consultation and engagement skills.
• An ability to adjust communication effectively to meet the needs of a diverse group including internal and external stakeholders.
• Good organisational and interpersonal skills, tact and sensitivity. Ability to gain trust.
• Ability to influence significant changes in service delivery through motivation and encouragement which may be highly complex and sensitive and include some barriers to understanding.
• Ability to contribute to the supervision and development of others.
• Confidence to deliver sometimes contentious and difficult messages to a broad range of stakeholders.
• Reporting analysis to a range of stakeholders in a manner that is clear and easily understood.
• Able to own problems and get involved in the solutions.
• Ability to manage risk.
• Ability to assess and interpret specialist acute and other patient conditions.

Essential qualifications

• Clinical based Degree, supplemented by post graduate diploma specialist training, experience, short courses.
• A minimum of 60 credits at masters level in relevant subject (e.g. Advanced psychosocial assessment and formulation, Enhancing the Care and Support of the Person with Dementia and their Carer). Or demonstrable equivalent experience/competence at the specialist practitioner level; if a minimum of 60 credits at masters level in relevant subject is not already obtained, this will need to be completed within 2 years of commencing employment as training availability allows.
• Accreditation with a Psychotherapy Association for an intervention for people with complex and emotional needs, such as Mentalisation Based Treatment, Cognitive Analytic Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy.
• Evidence of Continuous Professional Development.
• Current registration with the NMC, HCPC or BACP.

Desirable

• Experience in deputising for more senior staff.
• Evidence of following through specific pieces of work or projects as delegated by ward managers or others.

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Employer's website: https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/
Contact: Anna Abel, Professional Lead, anna.abel@nhs.net

Devon Partnership NHS Trust is committed to equality of opportunity and an inclusive workplace for all.