Primary Care Mental Health Practitioner

Job summary

As part of our community mental health transformation programme, we are excited to implement Mental Health Practitioner roles across the Primary Care Network, supporting primary care to improve the offer across PCNs in Wakefield (East). The Mental Health Practitioner roles are exciting new posts, and you will bring your mental health expertise into the heart of communities, working closely alongside GPs (within GP Surgeries) and a range of MDT colleagues to provide a bio-psycho-social approach to assessment and interventions. If you are passionate about delivering innovative mental health care, working as part of a diverse primary care team, and coaching and developing the wider staff team around mental health, this could be just the post for you.

This post holder will be based within a PCN on the east of the district. Agile working is expected, and the hours of work currently are across 5 days 9/5.

For further information contact Lead Mental Health Practitioner Richard Barratt 07585 201476.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for conducting mental health assessments with all people referred, determining mental health needs and the most appropriate service/ agency to meet those needs. The post holder may engage in brief therapeutic work, refer the person to another service, or advise them of other sources of support. The post holder will build and maintain effective links with all disciplines within the PCNs and will work as an integrated part of the PCN MDT.

The post holders approach should be driven by the underpinning philosophies of mental health promotion, empowerment and personal responsibility. This work will focus on the service users who are identified as requiring mental health support to access treatment and improve their wellbeing. The successful candidate will be expected to provide easily accessed advice for the integrated care teams and support identification of the training needs of staff.

At the time of advertising, this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Details

• Date posted: 09 October 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 6
• Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: C9378-W1559
• Job locations: Waterton House, Waterton Road, Wakefield, Wf2 8HT, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

Has continuing responsibility for the provision of skilled interventions to people with mental health problems in the community. Works within a multi-disciplinary team as a member of a Core CMHT.

Key Result Areas:

Management of own caseload in line with C.P.A. procedures and risk management protocols.

Provision of leadership to the Core Team in respect of psycho-social interventions to

people and carers.

• Supervision and support of other team members.
• Participation in service development and clinical governance structures.

Professional:

Assesses needs and identifies problems relevant to the care of people referred.

Devises a plan of care in partnership with the person and carers.

Implements the planned programme of care to ensure a high standard is achieved.

Reviews the effectiveness of the care provided and where appropriate initiates any action.

Advises and supports the person and carers to promote health and well-being and to prevent illness.

Recognises situations that may be detrimental to the health and well-being of the person and initiates action that may be required.

Establishes and maintains satisfactory communication with all agencies involved in the persons care in both hospital and community.

Functions as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.

Management of enquiries and direct referrals of people in accordance with the Core C.M.H.T. Operational Policy and participates in the team duty rota.

Maintain professional registration and demonstrate commitment to statutory codes of practice and continued professional development requirements.

Responsible for acting up in the absence of the team leader

Administrative:

1. Maintains accurate patient care records in accordance with professional codes of conduct and trust procedures and ensures records are made available when required by the appropriate agency.

2. Participates in the formulation of policies at unit level.

3. Maintains accurate mileage records.

4. Manages caseload with due economy of cost and time.

5. Ensures safe carriage, storage and administration of drugs prescribed (registered nurses only).

6. Responsible for the ordering of stock with due economy.

7. Produces monthly statistics in line with trust directives.

8. Keeps the Management Team and colleagues informed of developments relevant to the area of responsibility.

Education:

Supervises students and trainees on placement.

Assists in the teaching and in-service training of staff.

Is conversant with current trends in clinical practice.

Participates and accepts delegated responsibility in research and clinical audit as required.

Attends courses or training sessions relevant to the updating of knowledge and experience.

For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

UK Registration

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