Our newly created GMMH NHS 111 service is at the heart of our urgent care offer in Greater Manchester, providing compassionate, expert support to people, often in crisis and when they need it most. Whether it’s guiding someone through a mental health crisis or helping them access the right care quickly, you’ll be part of a team that truly changes lives. This is more than a job – it’s a chance to make every call count, offering reassurance and practical help to those who need it most. You’ll work alongside dedicated professionals in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where patient care and wellbeing are always the top priority.
A Fantastic Place to Work, Central Park, Manchester - Our service is based at Central Park, Monsall (M40 5BP), a modern hub designed to support both staff and service users. With excellent transport links, secure on-site car parking, and a range of facilities to make your working day easier, it’s a space where you can thrive. From comfortable breakout areas to well-equipped workstations, everything is set up to help you deliver the best care possible. Joining NHS 111 means joining a forward-thinking team committed to innovation, professional development, and creating a positive, supportive workplace. If you’re passionate about making a difference and want to be part of something truly impactful, this is the place for you.
The post involves working with people of all ages (Children and Young People, Adults or Older People) experiencing a mental health crisis via the telephone receiving calls from NHS 111 where the caller has selected the mental health option.
This service is provided in collaboration with Pennine Care Foundation Trust and the VCSE. Working as part of the wider multi-disciplinary team, The First Responders will provide mental health assessment and care planning via the phone, as well as information, support, signposting, and advice. The post holder will provide compassionate and professional support to callers (including carers) and will support and assist individuals to cope more effectively with their mental health issues by assisting then with key aspects of their care plans, (if in place), supporting them in managing distress and challenges / difficulties which they might be struggling to deal with.
The post holder will work with the assistant practitioners identifying frequent attenders, liaising with the teams that they are open to I order to formulate care plans in line with their current treatment that will offer structure and steer to the Mental health call handlers.
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
The NHS 111 Mental Health First Responder is a registered practitioner responsible for delivering frontline telephone-based clinical assessment, advice, and signposting within the NHS 111 service, working within established clinical pathways, protocols, and supervision arrangements.
The role operates as part of NHS 111 Option 2 for Mental Health, which provides a single universal point of access for urgent mental health support across Greater Manchester, forming part of the wider Urgent and Emergency Care pathway.
Practitioners working in this role undertake structured clinical triage and risk assessment for callers of all ages presenting with a range of needs, from acute crisis to emotional distress. The First Responder delivers safe, timely advice, brief interventions and safety planning, and with the support of a senior practitioner on duty, ensures appropriate escalation, referral, or signposting to relevant services including emergency services, crisis teams, community services, or voluntary sector organisations.
The role requires practitioners to identify and manage clinical risk, including suicide risk, self-harm, safeguarding concerns and risks to others, escalating complex or high-risk presentations with the support of senior clinicians where required. Practitioners are expected to work within clearly defined professional boundaries, maintaining accurate, concise, and defensible clinical records in line with governance standards.
The role requires at least 1 year's Mental Health Practitioner experience and excludes Preceptees.
NHS 111 Option 2 operates a 24/7 urgent mental health triage model, focused on providing immediate clinical assessment, stabilisation, and onward referral, rather than ongoing therapeutic support.
