Perinatal Mental Health Practitioner | Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust


Company:	Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Salary:	£39,959 - £48,117 per annum
Hours:	Part-time
Location:	Chelmsford, CM1 7LF
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	30 Oct 2026
Closing date:	12 Dec 2026

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Summary

Perinatal Mental Health Practitioner

Band 6 - £39,959 - £48,117 per annum pro rata

37.5 hours per week fixed term contract for 6 months

Linden Centre, Chelmsford

It has and is an extraordinary time for specialist perinatal mental health services across the UK with growing national and local focus on service development and expanding access for new and expectant mums. The national ambition was to improve outcomes for an increasing number women over a 5-year period through investment in resources and broadening of interventions available. The perinatal period includes from conception up until two years following the birth of the baby and is a critical time for prevention and treatment for women at risk of serious mental ill health. Providing a unique opportunity for intervention and change, improving outcomes for mums, their families and ultimately society, in the longer term.

We would consider applications who are newly qualified with perinatal experience.

The Perinatal Mental Health Practitioner will work as a member of the Perinatal Mental Health Service. The post holder will manage a defined caseload of service users experiencing moderate to severe perinatal mental health problems, and those with pre-existing severe mental health diagnoses to reduce perinatal risk and maintain stability in this vulnerable period for women's mental health. They will undertake holistic community assessments with a strong emphasis on the parent-infant relationship and safeguarding.

The post holder will offer a variety of therapeutic interventions including supportive therapy, psychosocial interventions, specialist medication advice and problem solving techniques. In addition the post holder will be expected to offer both support and advice to carers and relatives, and to work in an integrated manner with key partner organisations and professionals. The post holder will be required to provide consultative advice to other agencies, and to participate in delivering training and development for other professionals

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.

• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.

• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.

• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.

• Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.

• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.

• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us (subject to terms and conditions)

• Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.

• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

1. To work jointly with care coordinators from CMHTs with a small complex and challenging caseload of pregnant women or those with an infant up to one year old.

2. Conduct both single handed and joint high quality mental health assessments as required to identify mental health needs for people referred to the Perinatal Mental Health Service.

3. Take responsibility for the management of a defined client caseload as identified in consultation with the Team Manager, Clinical Team Leader and team.

4. Utilise the Care Programme Approach (CPA) as defined within the Trust Policy and to act as Care Co-ordinator as required.

5. To ensure that all Trust Perinatal service users have a perinatal care plan, this is implemented. This may require attending and contributing to pre and post-birth meetings.

6. Ensure risks are effectively managed and interventions are effectively prioritised.

7. Maintain effective individualised care through the assessment of health and social care needs, planning, implementation and evaluation of care plans co-produced with service users.

This advert closes on Monday 16 Nov 2026

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