Triage Mental Health Practitioner

CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond. We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run.

Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference. We’re proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.
We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.

We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles. For more information on these and other benefits of working for us, see our Benefits, Reward and Wellbeing page

Become part of our team. We care for you as much as you care for others.

CNWL NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.

Job overview

Role Overview
The post holder will join the North Westminster and Queen’s Park & Paddington Community Mental Health Triage Teams, which act as the main access point for mental health referrals across 22 GP practices. We are seeking a Registered Mental Health Nurse to support the delivery of high‑quality, accessible mental health care within an integrated community setting.

Key Purpose
The post holder will undertake mental health assessments, manage referrals, and provide signposting to ensure timely and appropriate care. They will also deliver short‑term interventions within the Mental Health Hub and primary care, supporting continuity across community services. Some duties may take place within aligned GP practices.

Main Responsibilities

• Conduct mental health and risk assessments.
• Provide brief, evidence‑based interventions.
• Communicate effectively with MDTs, GPs, and partner agencies.
• Liaise with community services to support coordinated pathways.
• Contribute to training of colleagues, students, and primary care staff.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and follow professional standards.
• Participate in audit, service evaluation, and quality improvement.

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Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Receive and triage GP referrals, completing comprehensive psychosocial assessments to identify presenting issues, risks, and care needs.
• Act as a liaison point for GP practices, offering support for patients with complex mental health needs and co‑morbidities.
• Screen routine and enhanced referrals, determining suitability for primary care management in line with thresholds and available resources.
• Facilitate timely onward referrals and rapid access to Hub pathways, specialist teams, or external agencies.
• Ensure early identification and fast‑tracking of individuals showing signs of severe mental illness or high‑risk concerns.
• Respond promptly to safeguarding issues, ensuring appropriate escalation and compliance with safeguarding procedures.
• Refer patients with common mental health problems to psychological therapies or other relevant support services.
• Maintain high standards of practice using a psychosocial, problem‑solving, and evaluative approach.
• Use a range of therapeutic techniques and evidence‑based interventions aligned with patient needs.
• Demonstrate cultural competence, recognising social determinants of mental health and respecting diverse values, beliefs, and practices.
• Engage in regular clinical supervision to support safe, effective, and reflective practice.

Working for our organisation

We are committed to offering you an environment to flourish which includes dedicateddevelopment opportunitiesas well as ahealthier work life balance. We will offer you;

• Free access to our Staff and Wellbeing service to ensure that you are always looking after yourself
• Commitment tocareer mapping to ensure continuous professional development including opportunities within the Trust
• On-siteshadowing opportunities including HTT, Psych Liaison and many more
• An opportunity to work with afriendly, dynamic, passionate and diverse team who are committed to looking after each other as well as their patients
• Excellentstaff benefits : our benefit packages are amongst the best in London and include: childcare vouchers, health and wellbeing services, season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, blue light card , discounts at Nando's and Superdrug, mobile phone contracts and much more!
• Award-winning Staff Networks
• Hidden Gem & annualaward ceremonies

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Receive and process GP referrals , undertaking comprehensive psychosocial mental health assessments to determine presenting needs, risks, and appropriate care pathways.
2. Act as a key liaison point for aligned GP practices , providing advice and collaborative support regarding patients with complex mental health presentations and/or co‑morbid conditions.
3. Screen routine and enhanced GP adult mental health referrals , identifying those suitable for primary care management in line with agreed thresholds and taking into account the mental health resources available within individual practices.
4. Facilitate timely onward referral and rapid access to appropriate services , including Hub pathways, specialist mental health teams, or external agencies, in accordance with established protocols, thresholds, and criteria. Provide guidance to referring GPs on effective management where appropriate.
5. Ensure early identification and fast‑tracking of individuals who present with indicators of severe mental illness or significant risk.
6. Identify, respond to, and appropriately elevate safeguarding concerns , ensuring timely action and adherence to local safeguarding policies and procedures.
7. Refer patients with common mental health problems to primary care psychological therapy services or other relevant community resources.
8. Regularly engage with GPs and practice nurses within aligned Primary Care Network practices to support integrated, collaborative care.
9. Deliver and maintain high standards of professional mental health care , applying a psychosocial, problem‑solving, and evaluation‑based approach.
10. Use a range of therapeutic techniques and evidence‑based interventions tailored to individual needs and service requirements.
11. Participate in the Hub duty rota , contributing to timely triage, decision‑making, and support for incoming referrals.
12. Demonstrate cultural competence , taking into account social determinants of mental health and respecting the diverse cultures, values, customs, beliefs, and spiritual practices of all clients, particularly those from minority ethnic communities.
13. Engage in regular clinical supervision , as agreed with the Mental Health Hub Manager, to support safe, effective, and reflective practice.
14. Support the operation of the Hub depot clinic as required, as part of a shared rota.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI can be used as a support tool, not a replacement for the applicant’s own work.Applications must remain personal, accurate, and reflective of the candidate’s real experience.AI-generated content must not misrepresent skills, qualifications, or experience.Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct. Please note that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is prohibited during the interview process.

Vaccination

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.

• Due to the high response levels we receive for some vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date and advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.
• Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Before submitting your application and to avoid disappointment please check that you are eligible under the UKVI points based system
• Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13 week probationary period.
• If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

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