Somerset Council
Assistant Practitioner
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Assistant Practitioner (CYP IAPT)
Salary: Grade 12, ranging from £29,542 – £33,119 per annum
Contract: Fixed term to December 2027, including a fully funded CYP IAPT university place from January 2027, subject to successful completion of the development period and university entry requirements.
Location: Locality-based, with travel across Somerset to homes, schools, Family Hubs, and community settings, and Exeter for University.
Hours: 37 Hours a week.
Closing date: 14th October 2026
Interview dates: 19th and 22nd October 2026.
Join us on our mission to give every child the best possible start in life in Somerset.
This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the health, wellbeing, and development of children, young people, and families across Somerset. Working as part of our Public Health Nursing Service, you will provide practical support, early intervention, and health promotion activities that help children have the best start in life and families thrive.
Working under the guidance of Health Visitors and School Nurses, you will support families to improve health and wellbeing outcomes, contribute to assessments and interventions, and help ensure children receive the right support at the right time.
About the Role
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.
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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.
What You'll Bring
- 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.
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Why Join Us?
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: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/
Further Information
- 30 days’ annual leave (additional to bank holidays).
- 3 positions available. Each located in different localities across Somerset.
- This role involves travel across Somerset. Please explain in your application how you will meet the travel requirements of the post. The successful candidate must complete an enhanced DBS check, including the relevant barred list, and meet all university entry requirements for the CYP IAPT programme.
- Interviews scheduled for either Monday 19th October or Thursday 22nd October 2026.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for VISA sponsorship.
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Jennifer Candler at jenny.candler@somerset.gov.uk
We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.
You can find a copy of the job description here: [AG0973 Assistant Practitioner.pdf](AG0973 Assistant Practitioner.pdf)
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