Eating Disorder Practitioner

Job summary
The post holder will work within the Manchester Foundation Trust Community Eating Disorder Service (MFT CEDS) for Children and Young People, providing specialist assessment, formulation and evidence-based psychological interventions for young people experiencing eating disorders. They will manage a clinical caseload, coordinate care where appropriate, monitor both physical and mental health needs, undertake ongoing risk assessment and management, and work collaboratively with families and partner agencies to deliver safe, effective and recovery-focused care.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the successful candidate will contribute to referral triage, maintain high standards of clinical record keeping, and communicate complex and sensitive information to young people, families and professionals. They will work closely with colleagues across CAMHS, paediatrics and partner organisations to ensure positive outcomes for children and young people.

The role requires participation in regular clinical and managerial supervision and adherence to Trust policies, clinical governance and infection prevention standards.

The post holder will play an active role in service development, education and quality improvement initiatives. Working closely with the Service Lead the successful candidate will contribute to the improvement of specialist eating disorder services.

Main duties of the job

• To assess, formulate, deliver and review evidence based psychological therapy within MFT CEDS treatment pathways.
• To hold clinical responsibility where the eating disorder/disordered eating is the primary diagnosis and liaise closely with other health care professional to ensure a consistent approach.
• To evaluate and monitor risk and to be responsible for appropriate intervention to jointly manage the risk and to inform other agencies as necessary.
• To regularly monitor the physical health of each young person on their caseload.
• To communicate highly complex, condition related contentious or sensitive information where there may be significant barriers to acceptance and to manage ensuing difficult interpersonal situations in the best interests of the child or young person's welfare.
• To maintain high standards of case note recording in line with Trust policy, disseminating all relevant changes in psychological/ physical condition to MDT members.
• To access clinical and managerial supervision in accordance with Trust policy.
• To comply with trust policy in relation to the collection and recording of agreed outcome data.
• To participate in the MFT CEDS referral triage rota.
• In accordance with Trust policies and procedures, ensure that own personal practices in infection prevention and control meet the requirements of the hygiene code and health & safety at work.

About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters.

Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Details
Date posted: 14 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 349-SPH-8152263-RL4
Job locations: Harrington Building, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Hathersage Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.

Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest.

Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you.

If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?
A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check
Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check.

The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service
Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued.

This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• registered with a professional body

Experience
Essential

• Proven experience of working effectively with people with mental health difficulties.
• Experience of assessing and managing risk: including safeguarding
• Experience of developing and providing evidenced based assessments, formulations, and care plans.
• Experience of liaison and working with a range of other relevant agencies and professionals.
• Experience of autonomously managing a caseload within a service.
• Understanding of the principles of Clinical Governance and a willingness to follow Trust Policy and Procedures

Desirable

• Experience of working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
• Experience of providing interventions for children and young people with eating disorders and their families.

Knowledge, Skills and Ability
Essential

• Up to date knowledge of child mental health and relevant legislation
• Understanding of evidence-based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences clinical practice.
• The ability to assess, formulate and manage care appropriately, ensuring discharge is timely.
• The ability to use assessment tools and outcome measures / ROMs effectively and in collaboration with the child, young person, and family.
• To be able to function as a part of a multi-disciplinary team and to liaise effectively with other agencies i.e., education, GP's, maintaining positive working relationships.

Desirable

• Demonstrable therapeutic skills
• IT competent
• Knowledge and understanding of the research process

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.

Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve.