Community Mental Health Practitioner, In-reach

Job Summary

The Home Treatment Team (Kirklees OPS) is looking to recruit an enthusiastic and autonomous Band 6 practitioner on a full‑time basis. This role builds on the successful In‑reach Liaison Worker position, providing crisis interventions and home‑based treatment for older people with significant mental health needs.

• Assess and manage service users admitted to the ward on a 1:1 basis, evaluating need and risk, and supporting them during periods of home leave.
• Actively identify inpatients who would benefit from community input and facilitate timely discharge.
• Provide support to families and carers, and work alongside them to identify and remove hurdles to discharge.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships between the Home Treatment Team and ward teams, acting as a point of contact.
• Participate in bed‑management meetings, inpatient ward rounds and MDTs.
• Maintain excellent verbal and written communication skills, and manage and prioritise time autonomously.
• Use of own car is essential – full UK driving licence required.

• Manage team caseload in line with C.P.A. procedures and risk management protocols.
• Provide leadership to the Intensive Home Based Treatment Team, ensuring interventions meet national and local standards (e.g., NICE).
• Supervise and support other team members.
• Participate in service development and clinical governance structures.

• Assess needs and identify problems relevant to the care of people referred.
• Devise a plan of care in partnership with the person and carers.
• Implement the planned programme of care to achieve a high standard.
• Review the effectiveness of care provided and initiate action when appropriate.
• Advise and support the person and carers to promote health and well‑being and prevent illness.
• Recognise situations that may be detrimental to health and well‑being, and initiate required action.
• Maintain communication with all agencies involved, both hospital and community.
• Act as a member of a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Manage enquiries and direct referrals in accordance with Enhanced team operational policy and participate in the team 24‑hour duty rota.
• Maintain professional registration and demonstrate commitment to statutory codes of practice and continued professional development.
• Act up in the absence of the team leader.

• Maintain accurate patient care records per professional codes and Trust procedures, ensuring availability to relevant agencies.
• Participate in policy formulation at unit level.
• Maintain mileage records.
• Manage caseload with due economy of cost and time.
• Ensure safe carriage, storage and administration of drugs prescribed (registered nurses only).
• Order stock with due economy.
• Produce monthly statistics in line with Trust directives.
• Keep Management Team and colleagues informed of developments.

• Supervise students and trainees on placement.
• Assist in teaching and in‑service training of staff.
• Stay conversant with current trends in clinical practice.
• Participate in research and clinical audit as required.
• Attend courses or training sessions relevant to knowledge and experience updates.

• Working knowledge of recent legislation (Mental Health Act, Health & Safety, Care Programme Approach).
• Ability to incorporate principles of Clinical Governance.
• Proven partnership working skills with people who use services and their carers.
• Awareness of equality and diversity, incorporating into care planning.
• Ability to act up in absence of the team manager.
• Knowledge of IT systems for recording clinical activity.
• Knowledge of audit processes.
• Knowledge of carer services/issues.

• Proven activity in audit.
• Specialist knowledge of dual diagnosis, peri‑natal mental health, psychosis, personality disorder.

• Demonstrated skills in assessing and managing people with complex mental health problems.
• Experience supporting and supervising colleagues, students or trainees.
• Experience using IT systems for clinical activity recording and monitoring.
• Skills in assessing and managing risk in various…