Community Mental Health Duty Worker

Community Mental Health Duty Worker

NHS AfC Band 6

£39,959 to £48,117 per annum (pro rata for part-time staff)

£2,000 Golden Hello or Relocation Incentive available (subject to terms and conditions)

Permanent | Full time, 37.5 hours per week

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Based within the Worthing Neighbourhood Mental Health Team

Closing date: 27 October 2026

Looking for a role where you can make a real difference every day while working in a supportive community team?

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is looking for an experienced Mental Health Practitioner to join the Worthing Neighbourhood Mental Health Team as our dedicated Community Mental Health Duty Worker.

Following a successful pilot, we're establishing this as a permanent specialist role within the team. Rather than being shared across care coordinators on a rota basis, this dedicated position will play a central role in supporting urgent assessments, crisis response and clinical decision-making across the service.

This is an exciting opportunity to become a key point of expertise within a well-established and highly supportive multidisciplinary team.

The opportunity

Community mental health services are evolving, and this role sits at the heart of that transformation.

As the team's Duty Worker, you'll provide expert support for people experiencing mental health difficulties who require a timely response. You'll work closely with colleagues, service users, carers and partner agencies to ensure risks are managed effectively and people receive the right support at the right time.

This role offers a unique blend of autonomy, clinical leadership and variety. No two days will be the same, making it ideal for practitioners who enjoy decision-making, problem-solving and working within a fast-paced community environment.

What you'll be doing

• Undertaking priority and urgent mental health assessments

• Coordinating responses in crisis situations

• Supporting people who require urgent intervention when their Care Coordinator is unavailable

• Providing clinical advice and guidance to colleagues and partner agencies

• Working alongside Intensive Home-Based Treatment services where required

• Liaising with organisations including the Police, A&E departments, social care and voluntary services

• Supporting safeguarding activity, Mental Capacity Act assessments and risk management processes

• Helping maintain high standards of care, safety and clinical governance across the team

About you

We're looking for an experienced and compassionate Mental Health Practitioner who enjoys working within a multidisciplinary environment and is confident making clinical decisions in complex situations.

You may be a:

• Mental Health Nurse

• Occupational Therapist

• Social Worker

You'll bring experience of mental health assessment, risk management and community-based working, alongside excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Experience of duty work, crisis response or urgent care services would be particularly advantageous.

Due to the nature of the role, you'll need access to a vehicle and be able to travel independently across the locality.

Why join Sussex Partnership?

There has never been a more exciting time to work in community mental health services.

Our Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams are part of a growing integrated network of services working closely with primary care, voluntary sector organisations and partner agencies to deliver more connected, person-centred support.

We offer:

• £2,000 Golden Hello or Relocation Incentive (subject to eligibility)

• Excellent learning and development opportunities

• Regular supervision, reflective practice and mentoring

• Supportive and experienced multidisciplinary colleagues

• Opportunities to develop specialist community mental health skills

• Flexible and wellbeing-focused working culture

• Career progression within one of the UK's leading mental health trusts

Why Worthing?

Based on the Sussex coast, Worthing offers the perfect balance of seaside living, countryside access and excellent transport links to Brighton, London and beyond.

Ready for your next challenge?

If you're passionate about community mental health, enjoy fast-paced clinical work and want to be part of an innovative and supportive team, we'd love to hear from you.

Click Apply to view the full job description and person specification and complete your application through our recruitment system.