Senior Mental Health Practitioner (Managing Eating) - CFHD

Job summary

We are excited to be recruiting a Band 6 Recruit to Train mental health practitioner to join our Torbay and South Managing Eating Pathway.

The successful candidate will be offered a training place on the post graduate diploma Systemic Family Practice Eating Disorder strand course at Exeter University. We think this will be a great opportunity for a qualified clinician who is looking to develop their systemic skills. The postholder will be supporting us to work with parents and young people in line with the variety of needs that children and young people with restrictive eating disorders present with.

This role is offered as a 0.8wte position based at our Lescaze Office in Dartington.

Alongside completing the course, one day a week at university for one year, starting in January, you will be working in systemic clinics for two days a week alongside other systemically trained clinicians and family therapist.

We are looking for someone who can provide specialist assessment, formulation, and intervention for young people experiencing a range of moderate to severe mental health challenges, particularly in relation to supporting young people with restrictive eating behaviours.

On successful completion of the training, you will play a key role in delivering evidence-based, person-centred care to young people and their families/carers, working collaboratively within a team to provide early and effective intervention.

Main duties of the job

• Conduct specialist mental health assessments using a strengths-based, person-centred approach to understand the unique needs of each young person.
• Develop and implement tailored care plans based on evidence-based interventions, including CBT, DBT-informed approaches, and systemic family work.
• Provide individual and group-based interventions for young people experiencing difficulties with mood, emotions, and relationships.
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, collaborating with psychologists, therapists, nurses, and social workers to ensure a coordinated approach to care.
• Offer consultation, training, and support to colleagues, families, and partner agencies, contributing to a shared understanding of young peoples mental health needs.
• Support junior staff and trainees, providing supervision and guidance to enhance their professional development.
• Ensure safeguarding and risk management procedures are followed, promoting the safety and well-being of children and young people.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to service development through audit, evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives.

This role is ideal for a motivated and compassionate professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and is passionate about delivering high-quality mental health support for children, young people, and families.

About us

Successful applicants will be employed by Devon Partnership Trust (https://jobs.dpt.nhs.uk/locations/working-here )

Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) comprises an Alliance of NHS organisations working together to improve health outcomes for children and young people in Devon.

CFHD provides integrated care and treatment for children and young people across physical and mental health. We are working closely with other organisations and providers to ensure we deliver locality and county-wide based integrated access to all of our services, based on the i-Thrive Framework, in response to consultation with our service users and communities.

CFHD works closely with our local universities of Plymouth, Exeter & the Peninsula Medical School where we support students in clinical training placements and in addition support our own staff to undertake post graduate training.

Our children and young people say

We would like the people who work for Children and Family Health Devon to be understanding, patient and respectful. They should be trustworthy and make us feel safe and comfortable. It is important that they use their skills and experience to listen carefully in a non-patronising and non-judgemental way. When staff are positive and friendly, they help to create an environment that is informal and without pressure.

Our vision is to be a successful, vibrant, partnership that benefits the communities we serve.

Details

• Date posted: 17 August 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: C9369-26-0616
• Job locations: Children & Family Health, Shinners Bridge, Dartington, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6JD, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Full Vacancy details can be found on the attached Job Description/Person Specification. Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification.

UK Registration

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

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).