Band 6 Specialist Practitioner - Swindon Early Intervention
| Posting date: | 07 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £38,682.00 to £46,580.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £38682.00 - £46580.00 a year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 21 January 2026 |
| Location: | Swindon, SN1 4BP |
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | C9342-26-0021 |
Summary
Job Purpose: 1. To assess young people with psychosis or possible psychosis 2. To plan and implement specialist programmes of care for young people following the firstappearance of psychosis or for a limited period where psychosis is suspected, includingcarrying a specialist caseload of clients and acting as care co-ordinator 3. To liaise and work in collaboration with other agencies in planning and assessingprogrammes of care 4. To provide specialist advice to young people, carers and professionals 5. To develop awareness sessions around psychosis and early intervention to be deliveredwithin education and youth services 6. To provide clinical supervision to junior staff, students and support workers 7. To undertake audit, research and development activities. The Early Intervention for Psychosis Service The Early Intervention for Psychosis Service will provide help and support to people over 14 years and under 65 years of age for 3 years following a first episode psychosis or for a limited period where there may be a possible psychosis. The team will act as a resource to the adult mental health community, CAMHS and inpatient services, by raising awareness of the needs of this client group, providing information and consultation about psychosis. It will Case Manage individuals presenting with signs of a first episode of psychosis in line with local and national guidelines on Early Intervention. The team will develop close links with other agencies in the locality such asCAMHS, Connexions and the College and the Social Services 16 18 team. There are a number of teams across Avon and Wiltshire Partnership and there is a strong network supporting teams. Key Local Information The post holder will be based at Chatsworth House and may work across the whole of Swindon. It is expected that the post holder will work across a number of sites including the inpatient unit and local community bases. The post involves service user contact creating and following treatment plans formulated with other team members. Key Result Areas A) Clinical Duties: See Job Description B) Policy and Service Development: 1. To contribute to the development of protocols / procedures applicable to the Early Intervention for Psychosis Service 2. To propose and implement policies, procedures and protocols in own specialist area 3. To provide specialist advice to the Early Intervention for Psychosis Service Manager onservice development issues which are relevant to this client group. C) Teaching and training: 1. To participate in the development and delivery of teaching and training where appropriate. In particular, in conjunction with other members of the Early Intervention for Psychosis Service and with appropriate staff from Education, CAMHS, to plan, develop and deliver training around psychosis and the importance of early intervention to young people and staff within schools, colleges, youth organisations and other community groups. 2. To agree a plan for personal development with the Early Intervention for Psychosis Service Manager and Professional lead and to participate in an annual review. 3. To undertake such further training / CPD as might be required to maintain ones ownappropriate level of expertise. 4. To provide clinical supervision for students, support workers and junior staff. D) Research and Audit: 1. To participate in peer review, audit and personal review activities as required. 2. To undertake research and developmental activities on a regular basis 3. To return accurate activity levels as required. 4. To encourage a culture of evidence based practice in all parts of the service. This will include systematically monitoring clinical outcomes. E) Professional: 1. To fully observe Professional Codes of Conduct and Professional Practice Guidelines. 2. To participate regularly in Early Intervention for Psychosis Service meetings and in anyrelevant Professional meetings. 3. To contribute to the effective functioning of the team and service through attendance atrelevant meetings e.g. Early Intervention project group meetings, CAMH Service meetings etc as appropriate. 4. To be aware of and comply with all policies, procedures and directives of the Early Intervention for Psychosis Service as well as the Trust. 5. To maintain and further develop high standards of professional practice through co-operative work with other mental health professionals and involvement in professional audit. Most challenging Part of this Role To provide comprehensive and specialist assessment of people from 14 years up to the age of 65 years referred to the service with a first episode psychosis or possibly emerging psychosis. This will include the use of formal psychiatric and psychological rating scales, as well as liaison with carers and staff from other agencies that may be involved with the young person. To plan, prioritise and deliver specialist programmes of care to young people up to the age of 65 years for a three year period following a first episode of psychosis, or for a period of six months where there is a possibly emerging psychosis. This will include case formulation, design of intervention, delivery and evaluation. To contribute to the development of a culture where the personal and positive aspirations of service users are the primary focus of the care plan, while developing and maintaining individual skills in delivering a range of therapeutic interventions. This must be achieved whilst respecting the dimensions of personal choice, diversity and culture and the benefits which these bring to the therapeutic relationship. This post is open to newly qualified social workers. In line with trust policy, all newly qualified social workers will be recruited initially at Band 5 level, regardless of advertised role banding. All NQSWs are expected to successfully complete their ASYE within 2 years of employment, unless there are exceptional circumstances in which case it may be agreed to extend this for a further 2 years. On successful completion of the ASYE, for which you will be given full support of an experienced Social Worker as well as Divisional Social Work Lead, and peer support from other ASYE candidates, you will then be eligible to progress to a Band 6 position. If you have been appointed to an advertised Band 6 role this will be an automatic progression, following confirmation of your successful completion. If you have been appointed to a Band 5 you will then be eligible to apply for a subsequent Band 6 vacancy.