Community Mental Health Practitioner - INTERNAL

Role summary

This internal, fixed-term secondment role lasts for 12 months and supports older adults living with mental health difficulties across community settings, care homes, and memory assessment services. The post focuses on person-centred therapeutic care, specialist assessments, review work, and interventions for people with complex needs such as dementia, cognitive impairment, and other mental health conditions.

The role requires a flexible approach across multiple services, supporting patients, carers, and colleagues while also contributing to service development and quality improvement. Care planning will span both primary and secondary care, including people living in the community and those in residential care.

Main purpose of the post

You will work closely with older people and their families, offering compassionate and reassuring support, including sensitive discussions about diagnosis and care needs. The post involves carrying out specialist mental health assessments, including memory and functional assessments, managing a varied caseload, and providing evidence-based care that is effective and as least restrictive as possible.

You will help ensure timely diagnosis, manage risk, and respond appropriately to crises. The role also includes collaboration with GPs, occupational therapists, psychologists, and social care colleagues to keep care coordinated and responsive.

Key duties

Core responsibilities include delivering practical, evidence-based support for dementia and other mental health conditions, developing and reviewing care plans, maintaining professional standards, and supporting ongoing learning and development.

You will also support junior staff, contribute to a positive team environment, share expertise, and take part in improving dementia services and wider service quality.

The position requires working within relevant legal frameworks, safeguarding patients, maintaining accurate documentation, and protecting confidentiality at all times.

Organisation overview

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a large NHS organisation serving the communities of Gwent. It delivers care across hospitals, GP practices, community services, and mental health settings, with a strong emphasis on research, education, innovation, and evidence-based practice.

The organisation is guided by the Gwent Strategy 2025–2035, which aims to improve population health, reduce inequalities, and work in partnership with local authorities, voluntary organisations, and communities. Its values are Kindness, Integrity, and Respect.

Staff are supported through learning and development opportunities, flexible working where possible, and NHS benefits. The employer aims to provide an inclusive workplace where people feel valued and can build a meaningful career while making a real difference.

Important application notes and conditions

Applications are only accepted from staff currently employed by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. If applying for the secondment, permission from your current line manager must be obtained before submitting an application.

If shortlisted, you will be contacted using the email address used on your application, so this inbox should be checked regularly. Successful candidates will receive the conditional offer and information pack by email.

The vacancy may close early and may also be withdrawn if it is filled through internal redeployment.

The salary scale for Band 3 has been updated as part of the NHS Agenda for Change pay award for 2026/2027 and is due to be implemented in August 2026, backdated to 01 April 2026 where applicable.

Equal opportunity and support

The employer welcomes applications from people with protected characteristics, including disabled and neurodiverse candidates, as well as members of the Armed Forces Community. Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and Welsh-language applications will be treated no less favourably than English-language applications.

Reasonable adjustments and other support for the application and selection process can be discussed directly with the recruiting manager. The recruitment team can also be contacted on 01495 745805 option 3 or via abb.vacancyrequests@wales.nhs.uk for alternative formats such as larger font or braille.

Flexible working is supported where possible.

Smoke-free policy

All ABUHB sites are smoke-free by law. Smoking is not allowed anywhere on Health Board premises, including for staff, contractors, patients, and visitors. Support to quit smoking is available through the Help Me Quit service.