Mental health Practitioner

Job summary Hybrid working and a warm welcome accompany this opportunity to work creatively with young people and their families. We are the Connect Team 0-18, a specialist therapeutic needs led service working with Children in Care and permanently placed across Suffolk. An opportunity has arisen for a qualified Mental health Practitioner, Band 6 to work within the Connect Team. The team are currently based between Walker Close, Ipswich and Ickworth Lodge, Bury St Edmunds. Our team prides itself on highly skilled practitioners, currently we consist of a Consultant psychiatrist, clinical psychologists, Arts and Drama Psychotherapists, Psychodynamic psychotherapist and Mental health practitioners. We learn, develop and work together to ensure the young person and their families receive a tailored package of care. We are committed to reflective practice and formulations that strengthen the team in all aspects. We are looking for a highly skilled practitioner who holds a nursing or social work registration. Experience of working with children, young people and their families and carers with knowledge of attachment, child development and working systemically would be especially welcome. This post is on a fixed term basis as Maternity leave Cover and is advertised as 0.4WTE for 12 months but applications for 0.8WTE for 6 months would be considered. Main duties of the job We are looking for a passionate individual who loves to work creatively with children and their families. We are a dynamic and experienced team who are committed to multi-disciplinary working. This role would include responsibilities such as undertaking assessments, processing of referrals, participating in duty, case management, risk assessments, multi agency consultations and emergency safety planning. We ensure that the emotional wellbeing and placement stability of our young people are top of our agenda. The role includes multi agency working alongside the family (foster carers, special guardians, adopters) social care, education and voluntary services to ensure the service users' needs are best met. We also work in close collaboration with other NSFT CYP teams such as Suffolk Wellbeing, Youth Teams, Child & Family Teams, ADHD services and the Emotional Wellbeing Hub. About us At Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, inclusion is at the heart of how we work. We are committed to creating a fair, transparent and accessible recruitment process where every candidate has the opportunity to succeed. We actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, particularly those currently underrepresented in our workforce. We recognise that not everyone has equal access to opportunities and are working to address this. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and ensuring all candidates receive a positive and equitable experience. Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive. Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about. Details Date posted 19 August 2026 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £39,959 to £48,117 a year pro rata Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Part-time Reference number 246-ESU8094210-A Job locations Walker Close Ipswich 6 walker close ipswich IP38LY United Kingdom Job description Job responsibilities Clinical Contribute to the specialist therapeutic services within NSFT as part of the multi-disciplinary team, carrying a case load of clients. Receive regular supervision in line with the Trust Policies and be responsible for management of own caseload, ensuring high standards of care are maintained in line with Trust policies and professional codes of practice. Providing appropriate therapeutic interventions to children and young people. Maintaining respectful, effective professional interpersonal relationships with others. Initiate, create and maintain therapeutic relationships with patients and carers, ensuring that the practice is patient centred. Consultation to other professionals and carers within the locality to offer support and advice. Apply a high level of communication skills, recognising and reflecting the need for different styles and methods of communication to meet therapeutic needs. Attend and contribute to regular multi disciplinary meetings. Demonstrate an ability to work autonomously within the levels of competence and set own priorities to organise and manage an efficient s