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Mental Health Practitioner – Livewell Southwest

Livewell Southwest is recruiting a Mental Health Practitioner to join its Community Mental Health Services in Plymouth, Devon. This Band 5 opportunity is suitable for qualified mental health nurses, social workers and occupational therapists who want to support adults experiencing severe and enduring mental health conditions.

The role involves assessing patients’ needs, developing personalised care plans, managing complex cases and supporting recovery within community settings. The organisation also offers professional development opportunities, training pathways and flexible working options.

Job Overview

  • Job Title: Mental Health Practitioner
  • Employer: Livewell Southwest
  • Salary: £32,073–£39,043 per year, pro rata
  • Pay Band: NHS Band 5
  • Location: Plymouth, Devon, England
  • Contract Type: Permanent
  • Working Pattern: Full-time, part-time, job share or flexible working
  • Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week
  • Number of Vacancies: Not stated in the advert
  • Visa Sponsorship: Skilled Worker sponsorship applicants are welcome and will be considered. However, the advert warns that this post may not be eligible for sponsorship. Eligibility should be confirmed with the employer.
  • Closing Date: 8 November 2026
  • Reference Number: B9832-2026-NM-10418-2

About the Role

Livewell Southwest delivers integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall.

As a Mental Health Practitioner, you will work within the Community Mental Health Services team, supporting adults with complex mental health needs. You will assess patients, develop and review care plans, manage risks and coordinate support with other healthcare professionals, social care teams, families and carers.

The role offers opportunities to work autonomously while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to improve patient outcomes and promote independence.

Key Responsibilities

  • Assess patients’ mental health needs and develop, implement and evaluate personalised care plans.
  • Manage a caseload of adults with severe and enduring mental health conditions and complex needs.
  • Conduct risk assessments and develop appropriate strategies with the multidisciplinary team.
  • Act as a key worker for an allocated group of patients, supporting their recovery and independence.
  • Deliver appropriate nursing care and therapeutic interventions in patients’ homes, clinics and other community settings.
  • Work closely with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, primary care teams, crisis services and adult social care.
  • Support patients, families, carers and other professionals involved in their care.
  • Provide supervision and support to junior mental health practitioners and other support staff where required.
  • Maintain accurate clinical records in line with professional standards, confidentiality requirements and organisational policies.
  • Follow relevant mental health legislation, professional codes of conduct and NICE guidance.
  • Participate in clinical audits, appraisals, mandatory training and continuing professional development.
  • Help patients access community resources and appropriate mental health services.

Essential Qualifications and Registration

Applicants must meet the relevant professional qualification and registration requirements. The advert identifies the following qualifications:

  • Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN), with a relevant Diploma of Higher Education or BSc in Mental Health Nursing.
  • Degree in Occupational Therapy.
  • Degree, postgraduate diploma or MA in Social Work.
  • Current UK professional registration with the relevant professional body.

Applicants should have relevant experience working with adults with a history of severe and enduring mental illness, as well as experience of multidisciplinary team working.

Essential Skills and Knowledge

Candidates should demonstrate:

  • Mental health assessment and risk management skills.
  • Strong communication, interpersonal and liaison skills.
  • Leadership, supervision and teamwork abilities.
  • The ability to manage a caseload and prioritise competing demands.
  • Knowledge of the Mental Health Act, confidentiality and personalised care planning.
  • Understanding of psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia-spectrum and bipolar disorders.
  • The ability to apply NICE guidance and evidence-based practice.
  • Confidence working independently, including lone working in community settings.
  • Good administration and computer skills.
  • Empathy, flexibility, reliability and the ability to manage work-related stress.
  • The ability to travel independently between Livewell Southwest sites and community locations, including areas not served by public transport.

Desirable Skills and Experience

The following would be advantageous:

  • Experience in a community mental health setting.
  • Mentorship or equivalent training.
  • Experience with specific therapeutic interventions.
  • Positive risk management skills.
  • Group interaction and networking skills.
  • Knowledge of ethical issues in mental health and the Care Quality Commission.
  • Familiarity with relevant patient-record systems, including System One/EPCF.

Training and Career Development

Livewell Southwest highlights its commitment to staff development. Employees can access protected continuing professional development time, training pathways, leadership programmes and funding opportunities for selected qualifications.

The organisation also provides induction and preceptorship programmes to support staff transitioning into their roles. Further details about available development opportunities and benefits can be found through the employer’s careers and rewards pages.

Working Arrangements

The position is based across community locations in Plymouth, including:

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  • Cumberland Centre, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 4JZ.
  • Avon House, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 7QD.

Although the job summary highlights no weekend or on-call work as an attraction, the detailed job description states that flexible working across a seven-day service may be required, including night on-call cover if necessary. Applicants should confirm the actual rota and on-call requirements with the recruiting manager.

The role also requires travel between community locations and visits to patients in their homes.

Visa Sponsorship Information

The advert states that applications from people who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications.

However, it also specifically warns that the position may not be eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship. This means sponsorship is not guaranteed, and applicants who need a Certificate of Sponsorship should contact the employer to confirm eligibility before applying.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. Overseas applicants should also check the applicable registration and criminal record certificate requirements.

Additional Employment Information

Appointment is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The employer also expects staff to follow its professional, clinical, confidentiality and data-protection requirements.

Livewell Southwest welcomes applications from people across different backgrounds and encourages applicants to request reasonable adjustments if needed during the recruitment process.

How to Apply

Interested and suitably qualified applicants should review the full job description and person specification before submitting an application through NHS Jobs.

Application deadline: 8 November 2026.

Please note that Livewell Southwest may close the vacancy before the stated deadline.

Job enquiries: Anita Outlaw
Email: anita.outlaw@nhs.net

Employer website: Livewell Southwest

Rewards and benefits: View employer benefits

Careers page: Livewell Southwest Careers

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