Job Summary
An excellent opportunity awaits to become part of our dedicated Outreach Team at Devon Partnership NHS Trust. As part of this committed and professional team, you will work within a supportive and compassionate environment, collaborating closely with women who access our services and their families to make a meaningful difference in their lives.
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing and strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people’s recovery.
Position Details
Job Title
Outreach Practitioner
Company
Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Location
Jasmine Lodge, Dryden Road, Exeter EX25SN
Salary
£47,810 to £54,710 a year pro rata (30 hours per week)
Schedule
Part-time, Flexible working
Employment Type
Permanent
Reference Number
C9369-25-0452
Application Deadline
The closing date is 07 October 2025
Visa Sponsorship Information
⚠️ IMPORTANT: This position offers Certificate of Sponsorship for international candidates seeking to relocate to the United Kingdom. Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
UK Visa Requirements
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
Professional Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website for overseas health professionals.
Main Duties of the Job
The Mother and Baby Unit Outreach Service provides assessment and intensive support/treatment of women who would otherwise be admitted to the MBU, and facilitates early discharge from the MBU in order to prevent relapse and readmission.
Key Responsibilities
• Offer advice, support and signposting for professionals
• Undertake an initial assessment for the admission of vulnerable women
• Offer high quality, consistent and patient-centred care to women and families on caseload
• Ensure parity of services across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset
• Ensure cohesive team working approach with mother, baby and family at the center
• Offer family support, assessments and interventions
• Support post-discharge in collaboration with local services
• Undertake triage role managing incoming referrals and queries
Service Overview
The Outreach Service works with mums who are experiencing a severe episode of mental illness. This includes mums who might benefit from an admission to our Mother & Baby Unit (MBU) – Jasmine Lodge, Exeter – and require additional support.
Geographical Coverage
Our Outreach Practitioners are based across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset and this post will cover Devon and Somerset. They work collaboratively with other local health services to ensure mums and their families receive joined-up care, when and where they need it.
Communication and Working Relationship Skills
• Work closely with key internal and external personnel and stakeholders
• Co-ordinate and investigate complaints, ensuring clinical lessons learned are identified
• Act as point of contact for agencies outside Devon Partnership Trust
• Present information to staff groups, service user groups, carers groups and stakeholders
• Demonstrate professional communications and act as role model
Analytical and Judgement Skills
• Role model clinical leadership
• Practice in ways that minimize dependency and promote recovery
• Communicate information effectively for service users
• Promote duty of care encompassing safe and competent care
• Take personal accountability for own practice
• Remain professionally competent through clinical supervision
• Demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills
Planning and Organisational Skills
• Assess, plan & deliver complex care packages to vulnerable women
• Participate in multi-agency forums for integrated local services
• Ensure activity delivery meets quality standards and service level agreements
• Work within Clinical Governance framework
• Contribute to ongoing operation and development of the service
• Promote the service locally and nationally
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care
• Promote, develop and role model high standards of clinical care
• Develop and implement care plans with service user involvement
• Ensure availability of choice meeting local population needs
• Provide expert advice on complex cases
• Work with teams across Trust and external sectors for discharge planning
• Participate in Safeguarding Adults and Children to Level 3 Enhanced
Responsibility for Service Development
• Identify and implement best practice in MBU Outreach Service delivery
• Undertake audit and research programmes
• Promote NHS programme for right care in right place at right time
• Provide clinical leadership to Community Perinatal Teams
• Promote reflective recovery focused practice
• Provide specialist Perinatal Mental Health training
• Follow Codes of Professional Conduct
Essential Qualifications
• Professional mental health nursing qualification (RMN, Nursing Degree, Qualified Occupational Therapist or Social Worker with extensive mental health experience)
• Post graduate qualification relevant to specialism or commitment to work towards
• Training to Level 3 Enhanced in Safeguarding Adults, Children and Young People
Essential Experience
• Experience working with admission vulnerable cohorts of people
• Experience working in acute mental health settings
• Experience in multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment
• Extensive experience managing busy caseload with mental health problems
• Substantial experience working at senior clinical level
• Working within community mental health setting
Desirable Qualifications
• Management qualification
• Understanding of recovery principles in Mental Health
• Specialist knowledge and experience in perinatal mental health
Additional Requirements
• Excellent communication skills including ability to engage with large groups
• Able to produce well written reports
• Ability to chair and participate in complex meetings
• Supervisory and negotiation skills
• Ability to manage time effectively
• Ability to work flexibly
• Mobility across geographical area
• Computer literacy
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer Accreditation
Devon Partnership NHS Trust holds multiple accreditations including: Age Positive, Apprenticeships, CQC Good, Cycle Friendly Employer Gold, Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver, Disability Confident Employer, Disability Confident Leader, Employer With Heart, MINDFUL employer, National Preceptorship Interim Quality Mark, Smoke free, and Step into Health.
How to Apply
Apply via NHS Jobs website. For questions about the job, contact Hayley Smith (General Manager, Specialist Services) at [email protected] or 07974630584.
Supporting Documents
Job Description (PDF, 393 KB), Our Offer To You (DOCX, 24 KB), Additional Support for Job Seekers (DOCX, 69 KB), Using AI Responsibly in Your Job Application (DOCX, 25 KB)
Why Join Devon Partnership NHS Trust?
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do. We recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate behaviors underpinning our Trust’s core values including commitment to quality care, improving lives, respect, dignity & compassion.
Equal Opportunities
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of protected characteristics. Part time & flexible working applications are considered & supported where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities.
Relocation Support
For international candidates relocating to the UK, we provide comprehensive support including visa sponsorship assistance, relocation guidance, and integration support to help you settle into your new role and community in beautiful Devon.
