Assistant Practitioner

We have an exciting development opportunity for an Assistant Practitioner to join Somerset's Public Health Nursing Service and help improve the emotional wellbeing, resilience and development of children and young people. Working alongside Health Visitors, the Service Lead in Family Mental Health and partner services, you will provide accessible, strengths-based early support in homes, schools, Family Hubs and community settings. This role offers a supported pathway into children and young people's psychological wellbeing practice. From recruitment to December 2026, you will build relevant experience, complete induction and competency development, and prepare to begin a fully funded Children and Young People's Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (CYP IAPT) Infant Strand university programme in January 2027. You will work within agreed policies, care pathways and your assessed competence. Activities will be delegated and supervised by a Health Visitor or another designated practitioner, with support available whenever a child's or family's needs change or fall outside the scope of the role.

How You'll Make a Difference

• Build trusting, respectful relationships with children, young people and families.
• Deliver agreed one-to-one and group interventions, such as Incredible Years Parenting and Video Interaction Guidance, under appropriate supervision and delegation.
• Help children, young people and families identify meaningful goals and make informed choices about their health and wellbeing.
• Support delivery of the Healthy Child Programme and local Public Health Nursing pathways.
• Manage and prioritise an allocated workload, maintaining accurate and timely electronic records.
• Recognise health, developmental, emotional wellbeing and safeguarding concerns and respond promptly through agreed escalation and referral routes.
• Work collaboratively with Public Health Nursing colleagues, schools, Family Hubs, health services, social care and voluntary organisations.
• Contribute to audit, evaluation, quality improvement and service reporting.
• Take part in supervision, reflective practice, team meetings, safeguarding processes and mandatory training.
• Complete the development requirements needed to progress to the CYP IAPT university programme. A relevant Level 4 qualification, or equivalent knowledge and experience, in health, social care, education, youth work, childcare, psychology or a related field.
• Experience of working with children, young people or families and building positive relationships.
• An understanding of child development and the factors affecting emotional wellbeing and mental health.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Strong communication, organisation, digital and record-keeping skills.
• The ability to work independently within agreed boundaries and recognise when to seek advice.
• A compassionate, inclusive and child-centred approach, with a commitment to reducing inequalities.
• A clear commitment to learning, reflective practice and progression to the CYP IAPT university programme in January 2027.

It would be great if you also have

• Experience of supporting emotional wellbeing or mental health.
• Experience in schools, Family Hubs, youth, health or community services.
• Experience of delivering individual or group-based interventions.
• Knowledge of Public Health Nursing, the Healthy Child Programme, Best Start for Life or CYP IAPT principles. At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.

• Generous annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.

Find out more about working at Somerset Council.

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