CareRoute
Career family

Mental health

Peer support and lived experience, mental health nursing, and the psychological professions.

Browse mental health rolesCareer map
Mental health — NHS professional portrait
Roles in family
12
Salary range
£25,760–£56,515
Demand
Growing
Progression
Band 3–7
Study path
Vocational entry → registered training → specialisation
Entry → senior
~7 yrs
NHS workforce data

Mental health today, by the numbers

Salary range
£25,760–£56,515
Band 3–7
Fastest growing
+1.2%
Mental Health Nurse (YoY)
Most common next step
Clinical / Practice Educator
~2 yrs typically
NHS-wide vacancy
~6.7%
national rate (not per-region)
Workforce growth by role · year-on-year
Mental Health Nurse
+1.2%
Community Mental Health Nurse (CPN)
+1.2%

Indicative figures from NHS HCHS workforce statistics (2026) and Agenda for Change 2026/27 — for guidance only; verify against official NHS sources. Vacancy is the NHS-wide rate, not family-specific.

Career map

Climb the ladder

Tap a role to see its pay, the study it needs, and where it leads next.

  1. Mental Health Support Worker
    Band 2–3
    Salary
    £25,760–£27,476
    Time here
    Entry role
    Study needed
    No formal entry to start
    Leads to
    Nursing AssociatePeer Support WorkerMental Health NurseAssistant Psychologist
    Role details
Find your fit

What draws you in?

Pick what matters most and we'll point you to a role in this family to start exploring.

Compare

Roles at a glance

RoleBandSalaryStudyDemand
Mental Health Support WorkerBand 2–3£25,760–£27,476LowGrowing
Peer Support WorkerBand 3£25,760–£27,476LowHigh demand
Assistant PsychologistBand 4–5£28,392–£31,157HighGrowing
Psychological Wellbeing PractitionerBand 4–5£32,073–£39,043ModerateHigh demand
Mental Health NurseBand 5£32,073–£39,043HighGrowing
Senior Peer Support WorkerBand 5£32,073–£39,043ModerateHigh demand
Community Mental Health Nurse (CPN)Band 6£39,959–£48,117ModerateGrowing
Advanced Lived Experience PractitionerBand 6–7£39,959–£48,117ModerateGrowing
High Intensity CBT TherapistBand 7£49,387–£56,515HighHigh demand
Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)Band 7£49,387–£56,515HighHigh demand
Clinical PsychologistBand 7–8a£49,387–£56,515HighGrowing
Advanced Mental Health PractitionerBand 7–8a£49,387–£56,515HighGrowing
Pay

What each role pays

Band entry to top-of-band after progression — indicative 2026/27 Agenda for Change basic pay.

Mental Health Support WorkerBand 3 · £25,760–£27,476
Peer Support WorkerBand 3 · £25,760–£27,476
Assistant PsychologistBand 4 · £28,392–£31,157
Psychological Wellbeing PractitionerBand 5 · £32,073–£39,043
Mental Health NurseBand 5 · £32,073–£39,043
Senior Peer Support WorkerBand 5 · £32,073–£39,043
Community Mental Health Nurse (CPN)Band 6 · £39,959–£48,117
Advanced Lived Experience PractitionerBand 6 · £39,959–£48,117
High Intensity CBT TherapistBand 7 · £49,387–£56,515
Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)Band 7 · £49,387–£56,515
Clinical PsychologistBand 7 · £49,387–£56,515
Advanced Mental Health PractitionerBand 7 · £49,387–£56,515
Band entryTop of band
Qualifications

Your study path

  1. 01
    Vocational entry
  2. 02
    registered training
  3. 03
    specialisation

Ask the advisor anything

A practical coach grounded in real NHS-style role data — honest about pay, study and competition.

How do I get into mental health with no experience?Which mental health role pays best long term?What qualifications do I need for mental health?Is mental health a good career for the next 10 years?
Latest intelligence

Guides & updates

We're writing in-depth mental health guides — pay, entry routes and progression. In the meantime, explore the roles and career map above.

FAQ

Questions, answered straight

It's indicative, based on the 2026/27 Agenda for Change bands — great for planning and comparison, but verify specifics against official NHS sources before deciding.
Explore roles

Every mental health role

Mental Health Support Worker
Band 2–3 · £25,760–£27,476
Career Score · Excellent
CareRoute rating, relative to other NHS roles
Peer Support Worker
Band 3 · £25,760–£27,476
Career Score · Excellent
CareRoute rating, relative to other NHS roles
Assistant Psychologist
Band 4–5 · £28,392–£31,157
Career Score · Strong
CareRoute rating, relative to other NHS roles
Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
Band 4–5 · £32,073–£39,043
Career Score · Excellent
CareRoute rating, relative to other NHS roles
Mental Health Nurse
Band 5 · £32,073–£39,043
Career Score · Strong
CareRoute rating, relative to other NHS roles
Senior Peer Support Worker
Band 5 · £32,073–£39,043
Career Score · Excellent
CareRoute rating, relative to other NHS roles
Community Mental Health Nurse (CPN)
Band 6 · £39,959–£48,117
Career Score · Excellent
CareRoute rating, relative to other NHS roles
Advanced Lived Experience Practitioner
Band 6–7 · £39,959–£48,117
Career Score · Strong
CareRoute rating, relative to other NHS roles
High Intensity CBT Therapist
Band 7 · £49,387–£56,515
Career Score · Strong
CareRoute rating, relative to other NHS roles
Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)
Band 7 · £49,387–£56,515
Career Score · Solid
CareRoute rating, relative to other NHS roles
Clinical Psychologist
Band 7–8a · £49,387–£56,515
Career Score · Excellent
CareRoute rating, relative to other NHS roles
Advanced Mental Health Practitioner
Band 7–8a · £49,387–£56,515
Career Score · Solid
CareRoute rating, relative to other NHS roles

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