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Job summary

Main area
Mental Health
Grade
Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week (Part Time 32.25 Hours per week)
Job ref
351-BAY1090-ZK
Employer
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Burnley General Teaching Hospital
Town
Burnley
Salary
£39,959 - £48,117 Per Annum Pro Rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
01/10/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust logo

Community Primary Mental Health Practitioner

Band 6

Our Vision is to provide the best mental health, learning disability, autism, community, and physical health services for the populations we serve.

As an integrated Trust, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) delivers a comprehensive range of services, including:

  • Primary and secondary mental health care for children and adults, including specialist inpatient child and adolescent mental health provision, perinatal mental health, and forensic services with low and medium secure care.
  • Specialist mental health inpatient care for individuals with learning disabilities, alongside specialist community support for children and adults with learning disabilities and autism, including intensive support.
  • Extensive community physical health and well-being services for children and adults, covering prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term condition management.

The Trust was first established in 2002 and employs approximately 7,500 staff who provide care from more than 400 sites. The organisation offers opportunities for medics, mental health, general nurses, children’s nurses, allied health professionals, psychology, administration and clerical staff, apprentices and volunteers, as well as those specialising in learning disabilities and community physical health services.

For more information visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT.

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic, suitably qualified and experienced person with the ability, commitment and passion to support children and young people with their mental health. Professionals registered as a social worker / Occupational Therapy / equivalent can also apply.

Working within Children & Young Peoples Mental Health East (CYMPH East), the Primary Mental Health Practitioner will be a professionally registered practitioner who has experience in Children’s Mental Health. The Mental Health Practitioner works both as an independent professional and, within a multi-disciplinary framework taking into account the THRIVE approach to intervention. 

Main duties of the job

The Primary Mental Health Practitioner will provide specialist support, advice and training within Primary Care Networks, thus aiding recognition of child and adolescent mental health disorders at an early stage and advising on strategies for interventions. The post holder will play a major role in establishing links, education and communication within Primary Care Networks.

The Mental Health Practitioner will work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team providing direct work to children and young people and their carers / families. The post holder will also be responsible for providing advice, consultation and education to other mental health professionals within CYPMH East.

The Primary Mental Health Practitioner will develop and explore under supervision new and innovative ways of working directly with children, families and professionals prior to a referral to the specialist complex teams promoting early help and enabling them to seek help and advice in order to address the early manifestation of mental health difficulties.

Working for our organisation

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you’d like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support 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 and flexi-time.

The wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a wide range of resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.

Explore our full wellbeing offer here: Keeping our workforce well 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For more information about this vacancy please review the attached job description and person specification.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Registration as RMN/QSW/DipSW/BSc OT or relevant professional qualification.
  • Evidence of experience in Childrens or Adult Mental Health Service provision.

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of child and adolescent development and the role of the family in supporting children and young people’s emotional well-being.
  • Knowledge of systems and contexts in which children and young people likely live
  • Knowledge of an understanding of mental health difficulties experienced by children and young people.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working with children and young people and their family.
  • Experience of working in a MDT.
  • Experience of working with young people or adults that present with risky mental health presentations or behaviour.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare Leaver CovenantStep into healthDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - Gold

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Hayley McHugh
Job title
Primary Care Lead
Email address
[email protected]
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