Overview

Join to apply for the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) Senior Practitioner role at NELFT NHS Foundation Trust.

The Band 6 - Mental Health Practitioner (Mental Health Support Teams) role involves working with children, young people and families linked to identified school settings. MHSTs collaborate with schools and other agencies to cover populations up to 7,000 children and young people, with the aim to improve early access to services and preventative provision through a Whole School Approach (WSA) to emotional wellbeing and mental health.

The post-holder will work closely with schools to support children and young people (CYP), their families and staff to foster a whole school approach to mental wellbeing. The vacancy primarily covers schools in the Tunbridge Wells area. The service emphasises development of WSA and curriculum content to teach about mental health in the classroom.

As part of the role the post holder may be involved in supervisory responsibilities for junior colleagues, with opportunities to enrol on a supervisor’s course funded and established by the service. There is an opportunity for additional supervision to support professional development.

Induction and starting details: new starters join on the first Monday of each month for a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks, including mandatory training and equipment allocation. Induction is conducted at the Trust head office in Rainham, Essex. Flexible working options (including part-time considered) will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to promote work-life balance.

Please see our Website for examples and explanations of our work. For informal visits contact: Valentine Onyekweli, Operational Manager (EWTandESTenquiries@nelft.nhs.uk, 07970 443167).

Responsibilities

• Deliver interventions within schools and colleges and hold an individual caseload.
• Deliver CBT interventions for anxiety, low mood and behavioural problems, both individually and in groups.
• Work with CYP, families and school staff to support a Whole School Approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health.
• Provide informal training and participate in CPD opportunities; receive robust supervision to support development of low intensity CBT skills, intervention adaptation and WSA delivery.
• Supervise junior colleagues where applicable; potential to enrol on a supervisor’s course.

Qualifications and Experience

• Graduate qualified health care professional (examples: Nurse, CWP, EMHP, Social Worker, IAPT CBT Therapist or OT).
• Clinical experience working with Children & Young People experiencing emotional wellbeing and mental health difficulties; ability to deliver CBT for anxiety, low mood and behavioural problems.
• Willingness to engage in supervision and CPD; supervisory training available and funded through the service.

Other Information

• Location focus: Tunbridge Wells area, Kent and Medway MHSTs.
• Flexible working arrangements may be available; part-time considered (30 hours plus).
• Values: We are kind, we are respectful, we work together with our communities.
• Induction details and contact information above.

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