Trainee Mental Health Community Practitioner (Development Role)
A development opportunity is available with Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust for a Trainee Mental Health Community Practitioner within a Neighbourhood Mental Health Team in Worcester City.
The role is designed for qualified mental health nurses, occupational therapists and social workers who want to develop their community mental health experience. Successful candidates will receive a structured developmental package and, subject to meeting the required criteria, can progress into a Band 6 position within the team.
Skilled Worker sponsorship: Applications from candidates who currently require Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications. Applicants must, however, have current UK professional registration.
Job Details
- Job title: Trainee Mental Health Community Practitioner (Development Role)
- Employer: Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust
- Location: Studdert Kennedy House, Spring Gardens, Worcester, WR1 2AE
- Salary: £32,073 – £39,043 per year
- NHS Band: Band 5
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference: 798-8320838
- Date posted: 24 September 2026
- Closing date: 08 October 2026
About the Role
You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team providing population-based mental health care to people in the Worcester City community.
The position involves working alongside specialist practitioners and developing professional relationships with local Primary Care Networks, partner agencies and wider mental health services.
For newly qualified RMNs, occupational therapists or social workers, the role provides an opportunity to broaden clinical knowledge, gain community experience and work towards a Band 6 position with support from experienced colleagues.
A developmental plan will be provided, and candidates who meet the relevant requirements will be offered a Band 6 post within the team.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
- Work as a key member and resource of the multidisciplinary team.
- Support the delivery of community-based mental health services.
- Develop relationships with Primary Care, partner organisations and wider mental health services.
- Design and deliver evidence-based, recovery-focused mental health interventions and groups.
- Attend weekly multidisciplinary team meetings and other professional meetings.
- Signpost patients to appropriate additional services according to their needs.
- Provide support and guidance to carers.
- Participate in the locality duty system when required.
- Respond appropriately to patients experiencing difficulties when their allocated worker is unavailable.
- Receive regular clinical and managerial supervision.
- Work flexibly according to service requirements.
Experience of delivering psychoeducation or interventions in group and one-to-one settings would be advantageous.
Essential Qualifications and Registration
Applicants must have:
- A relevant professional qualification in health or social care, such as:
- Registered Mental Health Nursing (RMN)
- Social Work
- Occupational Therapy
- Current UK professional registration.
- Experience of assessing and managing clinical risk.
- Experience working within a multidisciplinary team.
- Knowledge of mental health conditions, including signs and symptoms.
- Knowledge of risk assessment and management principles.
- Knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2006 and other relevant legislation.
Desirable Experience
The Trust would also welcome applicants with experience of:
- Assessing people presenting with mental health problems.
- Working in primary or secondary care.
- Delivering evidence-based psychosocial interventions.
- Managing an individual caseload.
- Working in community settings.
Community experience gained as a student or before qualification may also be considered.
Development and Training
This is specifically structured as a development role.
The successful applicant will receive guidance and support from experienced staff and have opportunities to spend time in other clinical areas to strengthen their knowledge and understanding of mental health services.
The role also includes participation in required breakaway/de-escalation training and opportunities to shadow and participate in the locality duty system.
Subject to meeting the required criteria through the development plan, the Trust states that the successful candidate will be offered a Band 6 position within the team.
Salary and NHS Benefits
The role offers a salary of £32,073 to £39,043 per year under Agenda for Change Band 5.
Benefits include:
- 27 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 33 days with long service.
- NHS pension.
- Enhanced pay for eligible unsocial hours.
- Flexible and agile working opportunities.
- Maternity, paternity and adoption support.
- Staff support networks.
- Health and wellbeing opportunities.
Visa Sponsorship and Right to Work
Skilled Worker sponsorship is available for eligible applicants.
The advert specifically states that applications from job seekers who currently require Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications.
However, applicants must have current UK professional registration. This is particularly important for overseas-qualified professionals who must complete the relevant UK registration requirements before applying.
Candidates requiring sponsorship should also review the applicable criminal record certificate requirements for overseas applicants.
Additional Eligibility Requirements
The successful applicant must:
- Be able to meet the travel requirements of the role.
- Complete required breakaway/de-escalation training.
- Be able to participate in the locality duty system when required.
- Hold current UK professional registration.
The position is also subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
About the Employer
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust provides community hospitals and community health services across Worcestershire, as well as mental health and learning disability services across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
The Trust has more than 4,500 employees working across over 100 sites and supports people of all ages experiencing physical and/or mental health conditions.
Application and Selection Process
Applicants should read the Trust’s guidance notes and the attached job description and person specification carefully before submitting an application.
Applications should demonstrate how the candidate meets the essential qualifications, professional registration, experience and knowledge requirements.
Candidates requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship can apply, but must meet the professional registration and other eligibility requirements for the post.
Closing Date
08 October 2026
How to Apply
Applications are made through the official NHS Jobs vacancy.