Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
AOT - Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 26 November 2026

Job summary
We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Mental Health Practitioner to join our Community Mental Health Service. This is an exciting opportunity for a Registered Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Social Worker to deliver high-quality, evidence-based mental health interventions to adults with severe and enduring mental health difficulties within the community.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will provide assessment, care planning and therapeutic interventions using a recovery-focused, strengths-based approach. You will work collaboratively with service users, carers, partner organisations and community resources to support recovery, promote independence and improve outcomes.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent clinical skills, a commitment to person-centred care and the ability to work autonomously while contributing to the wider development and leadership of the team.

Main duties of the job

• Undertake comprehensive mental health assessments and develop recovery-focused care plans for individuals experiencing severe and enduring mental health difficulties.
• Deliver evidence-based psychosocial and therapeutic interventions using a strengths-based and recovery-oriented approach.
• Manage a defined caseload, providing care coordination, ongoing assessment and review of patient needs.
• Assess and manage clinical risk, developing and implementing risk management plans in partnership with service users and carers.
• Build and maintain therapeutic relationships with service users, families and carers, promoting engagement and recovery.
• Work collaboratively with primary care, acute services, voluntary sector organisations and other partner agencies to ensure seamless care delivery.
• Contribute to safeguarding processes for children and vulnerable adults, escalating concerns appropriately.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and documentation in line with professional and organisational standards.
• Participate in clinical audit, service evaluation and quality improvement initiatives.
• Provide supervision, support and mentorship to junior staff and students as required.
• Support clinical leadership within the team and deputise for senior colleagues when appropriate.

About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details
Date posted: 13 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 184-OL-GR-6196
Job locations: Minehead Community Hospital, Luttrell Way, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 6DF, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Mental Health Practitioner within the Community Mental Health Service, you will play a key role in delivering person-centred care to individuals experiencing complex mental health difficulties. You will be responsible for providing specialist assessment, formulation and therapeutic interventions that promote recovery, resilience and independence.

You will work closely with service users to identify their strengths, goals and support needs, developing collaborative recovery plans that reflect individual preferences and aspirations. The role requires the ability to communicate effectively with people experiencing distress, crisis or relapse, using advanced interpersonal skills to support engagement and positive outcomes.

The post holder will undertake comprehensive risk assessments, implement risk management plans and respond appropriately to changing levels of risk. You will contribute to safeguarding processes and work closely with families, carers and partner agencies to ensure coordinated, safe and effective care.

Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will establish strong links with GPs, inpatient services, home treatment teams, social care, housing providers, voluntary sector organisations and other community-based services. Effective partnership working is essential to ensure individuals receive timely, holistic and recovery-focused support.

The role also includes participating in service development, clinical audit and quality improvement activities. As a senior member of the team, you will provide professional leadership, supervision and mentorship to colleagues, students and unregistered staff, helping to maintain high standards of clinical practice and professional development.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and adaptable practitioner who is committed to delivering outstanding care and who can demonstrate excellent assessment, communication, leadership and partnership-working skills. A professional qualification as a Registered Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Social Worker, together with current professional registration, is essential. A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use are also required.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• RMN, Social Work or Occupational Therapy Qualification
• Current registration with relevant professional body
• Evidence of post qualifying professional development in an acute setting.

Experience
Essential

• Significant post registration experience in multi-disciplinary community mental health services.
• Good knowledge of resources and working practices across health and social care.
• Ability to be innovative in practice.
• Experience of managing risk of clients in crisis.
• Experience of assessment, care-plan, development and evaluation in conjunction with clients and carers.
• Experience and knowledge of working with people with mental health problems.

Desirable

• Experience of mental health difficulties.

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: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Minehead Community Hospital, Luttrell Way, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 6DF, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Hiring Manager, Laura Scott, laura.scott@somersetft.nhs.uk, 07385112425

Supporting documents
Privacy notice: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)