Mental Health

Band 7 Senior Mental Health Practitioner CAMHS – South Bristol

Employer: Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
Salary: £49,387–£56,515 per year
Location: Knowle Clinic, Bristol, BS4 2UH
Job type: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
NHS Band: Band 7
Visa sponsorship: Available – eligible applicants requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome
Closing date: 11 November 2026
Reference: 342-CAMHS085-1026

Job Overview

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust is recruiting a full-time, permanent Band 7 Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join its Bristol South Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) team.

The successful candidate will support children and young people experiencing complex emotional and mental health difficulties through specialist assessments, evidence-based therapeutic interventions and coordinated care.

The service uses the Choice and Partnership Approach (CAPA) and works with a range of clinical presentations, including suicidal thoughts, low mood, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), emerging psychosis, neurodiversity and eating disorders.

This opportunity is suited to an experienced mental health professional who can work autonomously, manage complex cases and collaborate with families, carers and partner agencies.

Main Responsibilities

• Conduct specialist assessments of children and young people with complex emotional and mental health needs.
• Deliver individual therapeutic interventions using approaches such as CBT-informed work, DBT-informed work, systemic therapy and creative therapies.
• Manage a clinical caseload from referral through to discharge, including routine and urgent risk cases.
• Develop care plans and safety plans in partnership with young people, families, carers and other professionals.
• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, including suspected abuse and risks to vulnerable young people.
• Provide evidence-based treatment and support engagement in care planning and treatment reviews.
• Maintain accurate clinical records, assessment reports and documentation of interventions and consultations.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, schools, social care, primary care, hospitals and voluntary-sector organisations.
• Provide leadership within an agreed area of the CAMHS team.
• Manage appointments and caseload throughput effectively.
• Participate in clinical supervision, reflective practice and caseload management.
• Travel to other clinics, schools and young people’s homes when required.
• Follow clinical governance requirements, Trust policies and mandatory training standards.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

Applicants must meet the following essential criteria:

• A relevant professional qualification leading to registration with an appropriate professional body. Examples include mental health nursing, family therapy, clinical psychology, child psychotherapy or another relevant professional qualification supported by substantial community CAMHS experience and use of the CAPA approach.
• At least two years of post-qualification experience in mental health nursing or an equivalent profession.
• A therapeutic qualification at Master’s level or equivalent for working with children, adolescents and families, if this is not already incorporated into the professional qualification.
• Significant experience working within a CAMHS team.
• Significant experience delivering evidence-based therapeutic interventions, preferably with children and adolescents.

Desirable Criteria

The following experience would be advantageous:

• Post-qualification training and professional development.
• Experience providing clinical supervision.
• Experience working in a community CAMHS service across more than one role.
• Experience supervising colleagues, junior staff, trainees or students.

Professional Registration

Applicants must hold current UK professional registration relevant to their profession.

Candidates should ensure they meet the registration requirements before applying.

Visa Sponsorship for International Applicants

Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is available for eligible applicants.

The advert explicitly confirms that applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications.

International applicants should note that:

• Current UK professional registration is required.
• Applicants must meet the role’s qualification and experience requirements.
• Overseas applicants may need to provide criminal record certificates from countries where they have lived for the specified periods under UK immigration requirements.
• Sponsorship remains subject to the applicable immigration rules and the employer’s assessment of eligibility.

For official guidance, visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Additional Information

This post requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check under the applicable rules for roles involving work with children and young people.

The Trust is committed to inclusive, compassionate and high-quality care. It welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and particularly encourages applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Salary and Benefits

The advertised salary is £49,387 to £56,515 per year, under the NHS Agenda for Change pay scheme at Band 7.

The position is permanent and full-time. Other benefits and employment terms should be confirmed in the official job description.

Application and Selection Process

Interested candidates should review the full job description and person specification carefully to ensure they meet the essential requirements, particularly the professional registration, post-qualification experience and therapeutic qualification criteria.

Applications must be submitted through the official NHS Jobs portal.

Closing date: 11 November 2026

Employer Contact

Team Manager – Bristol South CAMHS: Sally McCallum
Email: sally.mccallum@nhs.net
Telephone: 0117 919 0330

Employer: Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
Work location: Knowle Clinic, Broadfield Road, Knowle, Bristol, BS4 2UH

Official Job Reference

342-CAMHS085-1026