IRS Mental Health Practitioner

Join to apply for the IRS Mental Health Practitioner role at Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust Job Summary The Initial Response Service (IRS) launched in the Bay in 2023 and has consistently demonstrated itself to be an integral part of secondary mental health services; we have improved access to mental health services for individuals who need it, while reducing demands on care and treatment delivery services. In the most recent CQC report the IRS was identified as a source of positive change in how mental health services are delivered in Lancashire and South Cumbria. Forget caseloads and case management. In the IRS your skills and expertise will be in assessing patients at the point of referral and identifying what service will best meet their needs moving forwards. The spectrum of mental health needs varies significantly; you will have the ability to offer advice and guidance for mild to moderate mental health issues and ways this can be managed and improved. Equally, you’ll have the ability to respond to urgent referrals with more acute needs and higher risks in the community. If you require more details about the role or an informal chat please contact us on the details provided. Details Date posted: 02 December 2025 Pay scheme: Agenda for change Band: Band 6 Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 per annum Contract: Permanent Working pattern: Full-time Reference number: 351-BAY876-MF Job locations: East Barn, Lancaster, LA1 4JJ Responsibilities Use your skills to triage and assess individuals with varying degrees of mental health difficulties over the phone and/or face to face in the community. Identify community services that are most appropriate for presenting need (third sector, CMHT, HBTT, and Talking Therapies). Act as shift lead, screening referrals and prioritising them based on your clinical judgment of risk and need. Work alongside the police to support patients and implement care when they are at risk of being held under s.136 of the MHA. Perform in a fast‑paced environment and support team development. Qualifications Recognised Core Mental Health Professional Qualification (e.g. RMN/Dip SW/OT) Essential Requirements In‑depth knowledge of mental health problems. In‑depth knowledge of issues that impact upon people with mental health problems. Detailed knowledge of the impact of risk and protective factors that affect people with mental health problems. Experience of post‑qualification clinical work with service users experiencing a range of mental health problems. Experience of delivering evidence‑based interventions in a time‑limited framework. Evidence of assessment across a broad range of mental health problems. 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website. Employer Details Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust East Barn, Lancaster, LA1 4JJ EEO Statement LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation. Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under‑represented groups. If you’d like to discuss your application, please ask. Contact If you require more details about the role or an informal chat please contact us on the details provided. #J-18808-Ljbffr