ARMS Mental Health Practitioner

Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker or Occupational Therapist to work as a Recovery Co-ordinator in a newly formed At Risk Mental State (ARMS) team supporting young people aged between 14 - 35 years of age within the locality of North East Essex. The ARMS team consists of Psychology, Recovery Co-ordination and Peer Support workers with a focus on psychosocial interventions within primary care.

Main duties of the job
The role involves the Assessment and Case Co-ordination of young people who are identified with an At Risk Mental State, providing high quality evidence based care as per NICE guidelines and National Early Intervention Access & waiting time standards. You will be a highly motivated recovery focused practitioner with an interest in youth mental health and wellbeing. Using the Comprehensive Assessment of At Risk Mental States (CAARMS) assessment tool (training will be provided) you will identify and work with people who are at a greater risk of emerging with a psychotic illness who present with a wide variety of mental health and social difficulties. You will be expected to develop positive therapeutic relationships with both the person and their family and work proactively to support to offer a range psychosocial interventions including CBT and family work for up to 3 years.

About us
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.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% 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
Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Details
Date posted: 26 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum, pro rata for part time
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 364-B-566
Job locations: Holmer Court, Colchester, C03 3BT, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
The post holder will be fully conversant and uphold their professional code of conduct.

To participate in the initial assessment of clients within 14 days from time of referral using the CAARMS to determine appropriateness for the ARMS team. To then liaise with referring agencies/FEP team to identify alternative agencies as appropriate to meet the clients needs.

The assessment and case management of clients, managed under non-CPA, with an expectation of appropriate care planning, risk management and delivery of ongoing support and outcome monitoring.

Active engagement with identified carers/families ensuring services are provided within guidance of the Children & Families' Act and Care Act. To ensure that the needs of carers are assessed and care services are offered as necessary. To provide families and carers with psycho-education.

To provide timely psycho-social interventions relevant to an ARMS client group. These will include (but are not limited to) psychoeducation, co-facilitating therapeutic groups with a focus on service user reintegration and social inclusion and delivering psychological interventions under appropriate supervision.

To work flexibility and participate within the Multidisciplinary Team to meet the demands of the ARMS Service.

To provide clinical supervision and professional leadership to junior staff and peer support workers and promote evidence based practice.

Attend training as provided and be responsible for keeping oneself up to date at all times with mandatory training.

Keep oneself updated in all legislative government initiatives, particularly those relevant to Early Intervention in Psychosis, At Risk Mental Health and Youth Mental Health.

Cross cover for EIP/FEP service where required to support the wider system

Person Specification
Qualifications - Essential

• Registration Mental Health Nurse RMN Part 3 OR Registration with HCPC or Social Work England as a Qualified Occupational Therapist or Qualified Social Worker
• Meet the requirements for revalidation as set out by the NMC/HPCP/Social Work England and professional code of conduct/professional standards as relevant to your practice

Qualifications - Desirable

• Knowledge / experience of delivering low intensity CBT informed interventions for depression, anxiety, personality disorders and/or coping with unusual experiences such as voices and delusions
• Qualified in delivering Family Interventions in line with Health Education England Guidance.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Holmer Court, Colchester, C03 3BT, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Team Lead Michael Maguire, michael.maguire6@nhs.net, 01206334000

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