Mental Health Practitioner in Lancaster inLancaster PUBLISHED WED 16 APR 2025 Jump to job information section
Job description
Multiple Permanent Full Time and Fixed Term posts available
The Initial Response Service (IRS) launched in the Bay in 2023 and since then it has consistently demonstrated itself to be an integral part of secondary mental health services; we’ve improved access to mental health services for individuals who need it, whilst reducing demands on care and treatment delivery services. In the most recent CQC report, the IRS was identified as a source of positive change in how mental health services are delivered in Lancashire and South Cumbria
Forget caseloads and case management. In the IRS your skills and expertise will be in assessing patients at the point of referral and identifying what service will best meet their needs moving forwards. The spectrum of mental health needs vary significantly; you will have the ability to offer advice and guidance for mild to moderate mental health issues and ways this can be managed and improved. Equally, you’ll have the ability respond to urgent referrals with more acute needs and higher risks in the community.
If you require more details about the role or an informal chat please contact us on the details provided
Fancy the challenge? IRS for the Bay have multiple roles available in the team so come along and join the team.
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.
The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area.
Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview.
For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Alec Stuart Job title: Team Manager Email address: Telephone number:
The Initial Response Service (IRS) launched in the Bay in 2023 and since then it has consistently demonstrated itself to be an integral part of secondary mental health services; we’ve improved access to mental health services for individuals who need it, whilst reducing demands on care and treatment delivery services. In the most recent CQC report, the IRS was identified as a source of positive change in how mental health services are delivered in Lancashire and South Cumbria
Forget caseloads and case management. In the IRS your skills and expertise will be in assessing patients at the point of referral and identifying what service will best meet their needs moving forwards. The spectrum of mental health needs vary significantly; you will have the ability to offer advice and guidance for mild to moderate mental health issues and ways this can be managed and improved. Equally, you’ll have the ability respond to urgent referrals with more acute needs and higher risks in the community.
If you require more details about the role or an informal chat please contact us on the details provided
- Ability to use your skills to triage and assess individuals with varying degrees of mental health difficulties over the phone and/or face to face in the community.
- Identify community services that are most appropriate for presenting need (third sector, CMHT, HBTT, and Talking Therapies).
- Act as shift lead, screening referrals and prioritising them based on your clinical judgment of risk and need.
- Working alongside the police to support patients and implement care when they are at risk of being held under s.136 of the MHA.
- Fast paced environment and supportive developing team.
Fancy the challenge? IRS for the Bay have multiple roles available in the team so come along and join the team.
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.
The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area.
Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview.
For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Alec Stuart Job title: Team Manager Email address: Telephone number:
Not sure?
If you're interested in this role but you have questions or you're not yet ready to apply, then please book a quick call with us and we'd be happy to answer any questions you have and tell you more about the role.
If you're interested in this role but you have questions or you're not yet ready to apply, then please book a quick call with us and we'd be happy to answer any questions you have and tell you more about the role.
Requirements
See the job description for full role requirements.
Benefits
Benefits are provided by the employer and will be confirmed during your application.
Is it a match?
A quick tap lets us tune future job matches for you
Location
Salary & benefits
Role duties
Working pattern
More information related to this job opportunity, from jobsincare:
Useful skills for a Mental Health Practitioner:
Click to view
To work as a Mental Health Practitioner in the UK, you typically need a combination of educational qualifications, relevant experience, and specific skills. Here are some key areas to focus on:
Educational Qualifications:
1. Relevant Degree: A degree in psychology, social work, nursing, or a related field is usually required.
2. Postgraduate Training: For some roles, a postgraduate qualification in mental health or a specific area (e.g., counselling, psychotherapy) may be necessary.
3. Registration: Depending on your profession (e.g., nurse, social worker), you may need to be registered with appropriate regulatory bodies such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or Social Work England.
Skills:
1. Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential for interacting with clients, their families, and other professionals.
2. Empathy and Compassion: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others helps build trust and rapport with clients.
3. Active Listening: Being able to listen attentively and without judgment is crucial for effective assessment and support.
4. Assessment Skills: Skills in conducting mental health assessments to determine the needs and risks of clients.
5. Problem-Solving Skills: The ability to develop and implement care plans tailored to the individual needs of clients.
6. Crisis Management: Skills to assess situations effectively and respond appropriately to crises.
7. Cultural Competence: Understanding and respecting diverse cultural backgrounds and their impact on mental health.
8. Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams, including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals.
9. Clinical Skills: For certain roles, knowledge of therapeutic techniques and interventions (CBT, DBT, etc.) may be required.
10. Organisational Skills: Strong organisational abilities to manage case loads and documentation efficiently.
11. Resilience and Self-Care: Ability to manage your own mental health and well-being while working in a demanding environment.
Additional Considerations:
- Personal Experience: Some practitioners benefit from personal experience with mental health, either through their own challenges or through connections with family and friends.
- Continued Professional Development (CPD): Engaging in regular training and professional development to stay updated with the latest research and practices in mental health.
inLancaster
54.0449072 -2.799346700000001 Lancaster, England, United Kingdom 
Locations
are approximate.
This image is not representative.
Learn more
Scan with your phone to return to this page later.