Visa Note
This position offers a Certificate of Sponsorship for eligible international candidates. However, applicants must verify their visa eligibility directly with the employer before applying. The NHS will consider applications from international candidates who require skilled worker sponsorship alongside all other applications.
Job Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a First Contact Mental Health Practitioner who is enthusiastic, motivated, and interested in working in primary care mental health to join our existing team. You will be part of a growing multidisciplinary service within County Durham Primary Care Networks. The role is fundamental to the development and leadership of innovative and integrated mental health services.
Together with Tees Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust, the PCN is working to transform local community mental health services for people with mental health problems. The PCN, alongside TEWV, consider this joint approach to be essential for the provision of high quality, sustainable care. By working co-operatively, we will be able to provide meaningful support for people with mental health difficulties in a way that meets their needs closer to their communities and their homes.
Location and Working Hours
JOB LOCATION – Durham West Primary Care Network. This is a full-time, permanent position based in Durham, England. The successful candidate will be working within the NHS healthcare system in the North East of England.
The position offers competitive pay with a salary range of £38,682 to £46,580 per annum, which is equivalent to Band 6 on the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale.
Key Responsibilities
You will develop close working relationships with all our Clinical staff, including our existing Mental Health Practitioners and become a valued member of the Primary Care Team, collaborating with other professionals both internal to and external from the PCN.
Your role will involve offering specialist mental health advice and providing expert clinical care for people with a range of mental health needs, ensuring that those with serious mental illness do not fall between gaps in services. You will improve access by being a ‘first contact mental health worker’, undertaking triage, assessments, brief interventions, and reviews.
Professional Development
The PCNs are forward thinking, innovative and driven by a team of professionals who are focused on delivering high quality care for local people. You will be joining a diverse workforce made up of GPs, ANPs, Urgent Care Practitioners, Paramedics, Pharmacists, Nurses, Health Care Assistants, Care Coordinators, Link Workers, Well Being Coach, and Mental Health Workers.
We would welcome enthusiastic innovators with a strong desire to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients and have the motivation and flexibility to help develop the services as the team evolves to meet the needs of the population. The successful candidate will be well supported, work autonomously and have day to day responsibility for their clinics and workload.
About the Organization
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is the employer for this position. The trust provides comprehensive mental health and community health services across County Durham, Darlington, Teesside, and parts of North Yorkshire. They are committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care and are actively seeking international healthcare professionals to join their team.
The Primary Care Networks (PCNs) are a key part of NHS England’s long-term plan to transform services and improve health outcomes. They bring together general practices and other primary and community care services to offer more coordinated care to their local populations.
Essential Qualifications and Experience
Current professional registration with appropriate body in healthcare or social work is essential. This includes registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), or other relevant UK professional regulatory body.
Applicants must demonstrate evidence of Continuing Professional Development and hold a Certificate in mentorship, teaching & assessing in clinical practice as appropriate to their own profession. Clinical supervisor experience is also required.
Essential Skills
Excellent communication skills are essential, including the ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to patients, carers/families and all members of the multidisciplinary team. You must be able to work effectively across complex organizations, pathways and services.
The successful candidate will need to provide effective clinical supervision, teaching, training and assessing in clinical practice. You should also be able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and undertake lead professional responsibilities.
Desirable Qualifications
While not essential, leadership or management qualifications are desirable. A post-graduate qualification in a relevant area would also be advantageous. If appropriate to professional registration, non-medical prescribing (NMP) qualification or willingness to obtain one would be beneficial.
Clinical Experience
Significant experience working with people with mental ill health in a community setting is essential. You should demonstrate experience of working collaboratively with service users and their families/carers.
Experience of providing clinical supervision and mentoring students on practice placement is required. You should also have experience working in a multi-disciplinary team and involvement with quality improvement activities.
Required Knowledge
A demonstrable knowledge to post-graduate level of evidence-based practice in caring for patients in the designated field is essential. You should have knowledge of the Stepped Care model and understanding of relevant legislation (e.g. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act).
Detailed understanding of Safeguarding and its application in practice is required, along with knowledge of Clinical Governance, Clinical Risk Assessment and Management, and psychological models of care and treatment.
Application Process for International Candidates
Applications should be made via the NHS Jobs website. International candidates should ensure they provide evidence of their professional registration, qualifications, and English language proficiency. All required documentation must be submitted with the application.
The application deadline is 01 January 2026. Early application is recommended to allow sufficient time for the sponsorship process. Applicants should be prepared to provide additional information regarding their immigration status and right to work in the UK.
Certificate of Sponsorship Information
This position offers a Certificate of Sponsorship for eligible international candidates. The Certificate of Sponsorship is required for most international candidates who wish to work in the UK under the Skilled Worker visa route.
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.
UK Professional Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For overseas healthcare professionals, this typically involves registering with the relevant UK regulatory body such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for nurses, or the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for allied health professionals.
The registration process may require verification of qualifications, English language proficiency, and fitness to practice. This process should be initiated as early as possible as it may take several months to complete.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
International candidates should be prepared to provide equivalent documentation from their country of residence regarding any criminal history. All information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please visit the NHS Jobs website and search for reference number 346-DDA-177-25-A. Complete the online application form in full, ensuring you provide all required information and documentation.
For questions about the job, contact Jane King (Service Manager) via email at [email protected] or by phone at 07712205698. Additional contact details for Emma Hemingbrough, Associate Nurse Consultant, are also available upon request.
Apply Instructions: Applications must include a CV, personal statement, proof of professional registration, and evidence of English language proficiency. All documents must be submitted in English. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.
Further Information
More information about Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust can be found on their website at https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/. The privacy notice is also available on their website.
Supporting documents, including the full job description and person specification, are available for download on the NHS Jobs website. These documents provide detailed information about the role and the requirements for applicants.
Apply Instructions: The trust is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. All applications will be treated with confidentiality and in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
Apply Instructions: International candidates should note that the Certificate of Sponsorship is only issued after a successful job offer and verification of all required documentation.
Apply Instructions: The trust reserves the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received.
Apply Instructions: All candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application via email within 4 weeks of the closing date.
Apply Instructions: Successful candidates will undergo pre-employment checks including right to work in the UK, occupational health clearance, and reference verification.
Apply Instructions: The trust offers a comprehensive benefits package including NHS Pension Scheme, generous annual leave, and access to employee wellbeing programs.
Apply Instructions: Relocation assistance may be available for eligible international candidates moving to the UK.
Apply Instructions: The trust provides mandatory training on safeguarding, equality, and health & safety for all employees.
Apply Instructions: Continuous professional development opportunities are actively encouraged and supported through internal training programs and external courses.
Apply Instructions: Flexible working arrangements may be available depending on service needs and individual circumstances.
Apply Instructions: All employees are required to adhere to the trust’s code of conduct and confidentiality agreements.
Apply Instructions: The trust uses an electronic staff record system for HR management and payroll processing.
Apply Instructions: Employees are required to maintain up-to-date professional registration and comply with regulatory body requirements.
Apply Instructions: The trust has zero tolerance towards discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
Apply Instructions: All job offers are subject to receipt of satisfactory references and appropriate pre-employment checks.
