OUR VALUES IN ACTION

Care and Compassion
Quality and Teamwork
Dignity and Respect
Openness, honesty and responsibility

Community Mental Health Nurse (Band 5 Annex 21 → Band 6) x 2 Posts.

Child & Adolescent Mental Health Team – NHS Borders

Location: Andrew Lang Unit

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 36 hours per week

Salary: Band 5 Annex 21 (progressing to Band 6)

About The Opportunity

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Registered Nurse to join our Child & Adolescent Mental Health Team as a Community Mental Health Nurse.

This post is being recruited at Band 5 under Annex 21, with a structured development programme supporting progression to Band 6 once required competencies, autonomous practice, and professional development goals are met—normally within 12 months.

This is an excellent opportunity for a newly registered nurse or someone wishing to develop specialist community mental health skills in a supportive team environment.

What We Offer

As an Annex 21 development post, you will receive:

A comprehensive induction programme
Regular clinical supervision and mentorship
Protected time for learning and development
Competency‑based progression to Band 6 CMHN
Opportunities to develop skills in assessment, risk management, care planning, and therapeutic intervention
Experience working within a multi‑disciplinary team (MDT) including nursing, psychiatry, AHPs and social work

You do not need prior experience in a Community Mental Health Team — full training and supervision are provided.

About The Role

As part of the Community Mental Health Team, you will:

Undertake holistic biopsychosocial assessments, including risk assessments
Act as a key worker for individuals with complex needs
Deliver a range of therapeutic and psychological interventions
Monitor pharmacotherapy and support individuals and their families/carers
Work collaboratively with a broad range of statutory and voluntary agencies
Contribute to service development, audit, research, and best practice initiatives
Prioritise and manage your caseload independently as you develop into the Band 6 role
Provide leadership and support to junior staff and learners as appropriate

This is a varied and rewarding role suited to someone who thrives in autonomous practice, problem‑solving, and relationship‑based care.

Who We're Looking For

Essential (Band 5 appointment level)

Registered Nurse
Genuine interest in supporting children and young people with mental health needs
Good communication, organisational and interpersonal skills
Ability to work both independently and as part of a multi‑disciplinary team
Commitment to developing into the Band 6 role

Desirable

Experience in mental health inpatient or community settings
IT skills
Experience with group work or psychological approaches
Formal training in psychological therapies (e.g. CBT, DBT, EMDR)
Research or audit experience

A full driving licence and access to a car is essential for this role.

Our Values

We are looking for people who embody our NHS Borders values:

Care & Compassion | Quality & Teamwork | Dignity & Respect | Openness, Honesty & Responsibility

Terms & Benefits

36 hours per week, permanent
Generous annual leave and public holiday entitlement
Access to NHS pension scheme
Opportunities for ongoing learning, development, and career progression

How To Apply

Please submit your application via the NHS Scotland recruitment portal.

For informal enquiries, please contact: Louise Brown (Clinical Team Manager) or Alan McElroy (Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist)

As from 1/4/26, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part time hours will be reduced pro-rata. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.

As from 1st April 2026 the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part time hours will be reduced pro-rata. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.

Due to legislative changes from 1 April 2025, this post may require a different level of criminal records check done than is currently the case. If the post is assessed as a regulated role, your appointment will be subject to joining the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. If there is any change to what is currently required, this will be confirmed by either the Hiring Manager or the Recruitment Team. For more details on these changes please visit: Disclosure Scotland Changes.

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service.

As part of the pre-employment checks for a preferred candidate, NHS Scotland Boards will check your entitlement to work in the UK. It can be evidenced through a number of routes including specific types of visa as well as EU settled and pre-settled status. To find out more about these routes of permission, please refer to the GOV.UK website here. 

For specific types of post, if you do not have the necessary eligibility to work in the UK, it might be possible (though not guaranteed) to secure sponsorship via a UK Skilled Worker/Health & Care Worker Visa. However, this is only possible if the employer is a licenced Sponsor, and if the post does not fall below the current minimum salary threshold or going rate. Further information on these criteria can be found here.

It is ESSENTIAL that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsored BEFORE submitting your application form

**PLEASE NOTE: We cannot accept late applications so please ensure your application is submitted early**

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

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Band 6 Development Post