Specialist Mental Health Practitioner (Urgent Care) - CFHD

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and passionate Specialist Mental Health Practitioner to join the Urgent Care Pathway within Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) during a period of service development and expansion.

CFHD is an integrated childrens service providing health and wellbeing support to children, young people and families across Devon. The Urgent Care Pathway includes Crisis, Assertive Outreach, Learning Disability and Autism Programme, and Youth Justice service, delivering seven-day support to children and young people with complex and high-risk mental health needs.

We are seeking a highly skilled clinician with significant experience of working with children and young people presenting with mental health difficulties, including risk and crisis presentations. You will provide expert clinical assessment, formulation and intervention, while also offering clinical leadership, consultation and support across the wider system.

The post is based in North Devon however the role has countywide responsibilities and requires travel across Devon. As senior members of the Urgent Care Pathway, you will work closely with operational, clinical and medical leaders to support service development, quality improvement, and the implementation of innovative models of care.

The role includes participation in an extended-hours, seven-day rota, providing senior clinical leadership and support for complex decision-making.

Main duties of the job

To provide and receive highly complex and sensitive information with children, young people, carers and families and adjust the communication style to meet specific needs and overcome barriers to understanding.

To form and maintain good working relationships with others, effectively communicating with supervisees, clinicians, colleagues, managers and professionals in a multi-disciplinary team and across a range of agencies.

To form and maintain good supervisory relationships with others, supporting reflective practice and evidence-based care.

To receive complex sensitive information

To manage and respond to high levels of distress, trauma and emotion with empathy, compassion, reassurance, persuasion, resilience and sensitivity.

To co-ordinate and liaise with other professionals offering services to children and young people and organise, chair or attend a range of professional meetings as required.

To be able to lead clinical meetings, empowering all staff to have a voice and ensuring accurate record keeping of meeting minutes.

To be able to present complex information in a range of formats in a professional, clear and organised manner to a range of audiences.

Work effectively with operational, professional and clinical leadership colleagues to support clinicians in devising and implementing evidence-based care to suit the individual needs of children and young people and their parents/carers.

A full list of duties is available on the job description.

About us

At Children and Family Health Devon, we are dedicated to improving the physical and mental health of children and young people across Devon and Torbay. We aim to create an environment where children and young people can thrive and are committed to reducing health inequalities and providing specialised support, empowering them to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

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.

Who we are

We are an alliance of NHS organisations led by Devon Partnership Trust. We are a group of professionals including psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, nurses and many other professions.

Join us in beautiful Devon

With access to moors, sea and cities, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy Devon. Whether you enjoy spending time in the cultural hub of Exeter, exploring the Jurassic coastline or discovering the world surfing reserve in North Devon there really is something for everyone.

Details

• Date posted: 07 October 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 7
• Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year pro rata (30 hours)
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: C9369-26-0785
• Job locations: Children & Family Health Devon, Springfield Court, Fishleigh Road, Roundswell Business Park, BARNSTAPLE, Devon, EX31 3UD, 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).