Overview

Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs) are roles designed under the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) to help integrate primary and community mental health care. Their main aim is to support adults (and older adults) with severe mental illnesses or complex mental health needs, helping them to live well in their communities. Conditions may include (but are not limited to) psychosis, bipolar disorder, personality disorder diagnoses, eating disorders, severe depression, and mental health rehabilitation needs. They may co-exist with frailty, cognitive impairment, neurodevelopmental conditions or substance use. NHS England

In STW, these roles are part of the wider community mental health service transformation. MHPs are based in GP surgeries or neighbourhood settings (Primary Care Networks) and act as bridges between primary care and specialist mental health services. They provide:

  • support for people whose needs are not met by NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT) nor routinely by secondary care, but who require more than what primary care alone can provide NHS England.
  • timely advice and support to GPs / primary care staff NHS England,
  • help reduce GP workload, improve access and ensure better continuity of care.

Also, some roles may focus on children & young people (0‑25 yrs), offering support for identified or suspected mental health issues presenting in primary care. NHS England.

Career Pathway

Staff with mental health expertise can enter these roles. Examples include psychiatric nurses, clinical psychologists, mental health social workers, occupational therapists, peer support workers, or others with experience. Once in post, the practitioner will work embedded within the PCN / GP practice, collaborating with primary care staff, secondary mental health services, IAPT where applicable. They act as a bridge, facilitating referrals, providing consultation and capacity for mental health support beyond standard primary care. Over time, practitioners may develop further skills (e.g. in psychological interventions), take on more complex cases, step into leadership / supervision roles, or broaden scope (children & young people, specialist populations). Band progression is possible as competencies increase.

Training and Development

Mental Health Practitioner roles are part of the ARRS funding scheme under NHS England. Training tends to be via on‑the‑job learning, supervision, CPD, possibly short courses in psychological interventions, risk assessment, etc.

Training Hub Offers

Useful Links

NHS England – Mental Health Practitioners

Primary Care Careers – Mental Health Practitioner

Contacts

Email stw.traininghub@nhs.net