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Community Psychiatric Nurses

We place experienced CPNs into NHS community mental health teams and specialist community services across the UK – connecting services with nurses who can manage complex caseloads safely and independently from day one.

Welcome to Hunter Gatherer Mental Health, your specialist partner for CPN recruitment across the UK.

We place community psychiatric nurses into CMHTs, early intervention services, crisis and home treatment teams, and other specialist community mental health services on both a locum and permanent basis. Whether you’re a service under caseload pressure or a CPN looking for your next community role, we offer fast, well-matched placements from a team that understands community mental health.

What is Community Psychiatric Nursing?

A Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN) is a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) who works with people experiencing mental health difficulties in community settings – typically visiting patients at home, in GP surgeries, community clinics, or supported living environments rather than in hospital.

CPNs carry their own caseloads, conducting mental health assessments, supporting patients with ongoing recovery, monitoring medication and its effects, coordinating care plans, and working within multidisciplinary teams to manage risk. They are often the primary point of clinical contact for people with serious mental illness in the community – a role that requires strong clinical judgment, the ability to build therapeutic relationships with people who may be reluctant to engage, and confidence in managing risk without direct on-site supervision.

Why Services Choose Hunter Gatherer for CPN Recruitment:

  • We understand community mental health CMHTs, early intervention in psychosis, crisis and home treatment, assertive outreach, rehabilitation, older adults – our consultants understand how community mental health services are structured and what CPNs working within them actually need to be able to do.
  • Nurses ready for autonomous caseload work Community psychiatric nursing is largely unsupervised. We only put forward nurses with demonstrable community mental health experience who can manage their own caseloads, conduct risk assessments independently, and engage safely with complex presentations from the outset.
  • NMC-verified, compliance-ready NMC registration, enhanced DBS, mandatory training, and relevant community mental health experience – all confirmed before placement.
  • Locum and permanent placements Short-notice cover or a long-term hire – we support both.

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CPN Settings We Recruit For:

  • Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) – the core community mental health service model; CPNs managing caseloads of adults with serious mental illness
  • Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) – specialist teams supporting young people and adults experiencing a first episode of psychosis
  • Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Teams (CRHT) – intensive community support as an alternative to hospital admission; fast-paced, high clinical complexity
  • Assertive Outreach Teams (AOT) – working with individuals who have disengaged from mainstream services and have complex, enduring mental health needs
  • Recovery and Rehabilitation Services – community-based support for people working towards independence following longer-term mental health difficulties
  • Older Adults Community Mental Health – dementia, late-onset mental illness, complex presentations in older adults
  • Perinatal Mental Health Teams – specialist community support for women experiencing mental health difficulties during pregnancy and the postnatal period
  • Forensic Community Services – supporting individuals transitioning from secure settings back into the community
  • Liaison and Street Triage – mental health nursing input in A&E and emergency settings, and joint working with police

CPN Roles and Responsibilities:

Community psychiatric nurses on active caseloads are typically responsible for:

  • Conducting initial and ongoing mental health assessments – including risk assessment and safety planning
  • Developing, reviewing and updating care plans in partnership with patients, families and MDT
  • Monitoring the effects of psychiatric medication, reporting concerns to prescribers and supporting adherence
  • Delivering therapeutic interventions – psychoeducation, behavioural activation, low-intensity psychological approaches
  • Coordinating care across services – GPs, social care, housing, voluntary sector, specialist teams
  • Managing safeguarding concerns and escalating appropriately
  • Supporting patients during periods of relapse or crisis – and making decisions about hospital admission where necessary
  • Contributing to CPA (Care Programme Approach) reviews

Qualifications We Look For:

Every CPN we place holds:

  • Active NMC registration as a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) with no conditions or restrictions
  • Post-qualification experience in a community mental health setting – most CMHT and specialist community roles require at least 12 months’ relevant experience
  • Enhanced DBS and current mandatory training including safeguarding, Mental Health Act awareness, and infection control
  • Demonstrated competency in risk assessment and care planning within a community or CMHT context
  • A full UK driving licence is expected for most community mental health nursing roles

For specialist services (EIP, CRHT, perinatal, older adults, forensic community), relevant experience or additional training in the specific client group is required.

Locum CPN Opportunities:

Locum CPN work offers genuine flexibility alongside meaningful clinical work with some of the most complex and rewarding caseloads in community mental health. Whether you want a planned block booking in a CMHT to maintain your skills between permanent posts, or a longer-term locum arrangement in a specialist service, we’ll match you to opportunities that fit your clinical background and availability.

We have active CPN requirements across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Edinburgh and beyond.

CPN Pay Rates (2025/26):

Locum Band 5 CPNs typically earn £23–£28 per hour. Band 6 – the core working level across the majority of CMHT and specialist community roles – is typically £26–£34 per hour, with the higher end reflecting crisis and home treatment work, specialist services, and London or high-cost area placements. Experienced Band 7 CPNs and community team leaders typically earn £33–£44 per hour depending on setting and specialism.

For permanent salaried roles, community mental health nurses typically sit at Band 6, with salaries running from £38,682 to £46,580 (2025/26). Band 7 CPNs – including team leads, AMHPs, and senior specialist practitioners – earn £47,810 to £54,710.

Our consultants can advise on current going rates for your background, service type and region.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Do all CPN locum roles require community experience specifically? Yes. Community psychiatric nursing is autonomous work – most NHS trusts and independent providers require at least 12 months of relevant community or CMHT experience before placing a locum CPN on an independent caseload. We won’t put you forward for a role your background doesn’t support.
  • Is a driving licence required for CPN roles? For the majority of community mental health nursing roles, yes – CPNs typically travel to visit patients at home and across community sites. We confirm transport requirements for each role during registration.
  • Do you place CPNs in crisis and home treatment teams? Yes. Crisis and home treatment is one of the most active areas of CPN locum demand. These roles require particular experience with acute risk management and rapid assessment.
  • What’s the difference between this page and the Community Nurses page? Community Psychiatric Nurses are Registered Mental Health Nurses (RMNs) working in mental health settings. Our Community Nurses page covers general community nurses (RGNs) working in broader community health services such as wound care, palliative care and chronic disease management – a distinct clinical role.
  • What areas do you cover? We place CPNs across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Glasgow, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Sheffield and beyond.

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Testimonials:

Pamela
Since being referred to the agency by a colleague, the service I have received from my consultant has been absolutely amazing. My consultant has kept me well informed at every step, kept me updated, and is always there to literally just check on me and how I am getting on at each placement. They check in at least weekly or fortnightly! You are amazing, and so is the whole team at Hunter Mental Health! Thank you!
Adedmore
I must admit my experience with your organisation is next to none. I was allocated a consultant whose support and service are quality and exceptional. My consultant is a great salesperson and has been able to win me over through their relentless effort to see that the process goes smoothly, and it has. They call frequently to check and provide updates accordingly, and this is top-notch service worth emulating. For that, I will recommend Hunter Mental Health to anyone and everyone.
Tom Bowler
I have had a great experience working with Hunter Mental Health and especially with my consultant. I would recommend them to anyone looking for mental health locum work. In fact, I have recommended them to a friend who is also having a really positive experience. First class.
Fungai Sabada
Lovely agency! I felt like I was understood and found the right job in a blink. My consultant has helped massively throughout my compliance process, always lovely on the phone and making things easier for me. Would definitely recommend Hunter Mental Health.
Pete Callaghan
Hunter Mental Health are excellent recruiters. Since starting a new role, my consultant has communicated with me continuously over the last six months. You can't fault their service, and they put in a massive amount of effort ensuring they find the most suitable contract for your needs. Thanks!

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