Overview

Band 6 - Mental Health Practitioner (Mental Health Support Teams). MHSTs support children, young people and their families that have links to identified school settings. Each designated MHST will work in collaboration with schools and other agencies that cover a population of up to 7,000 children and young people. Trailblazer sites were established in Kent in 2019, with the service aim to cover 50% of the schools across Kent and Medway by 2026. This is expected to increase early access to services and offer greater preventative provision. We also work with our schools to support their development of a Whole School Approach (WSA) to emotional wellbeing and mental health, as well as their development of curriculum content to ensure pupils are taught about mental health in the classroom. The post-holder will be expected to work closely with schools to support children and young people (CYP), their families and staff to foster a whole school approach to mental well-being.

The vacancy primarily covers schools in the Tunbridge Wells area.

Responsibilities

• Deliver interventions within schools and colleges and hold an individual caseload.
• Ideally have clinical experience working with Children & Young People experiencing emotional wellbeing and mental health difficulties and be able to deliver CBT interventions for anxiety, low mood, and behavioural problems both individually and in groups.
• Support development of low intensity CBT skills, intervention adaptation and Whole School Approach (WSA) delivery; informal training and wider CPD opportunities with robust supervision.
• Supervisory responsibility of junior colleagues; opportunity to enrol on a supervisor's course funded by the service to enhance skills in supporting EMHP and CWP colleagues.
• Graduate qualified health care professional (examples: Nurse, CWP, EMHP, Social Worker, IAPT CBT Therapist or OT).

Qualifications and Skills

• Essential: Successful completion of a graduate training (e.g., nursing, social work, occupational therapy), EMHP/CWP qualification with 18 months experience or equivalent CAMHS/EWMHS clinical experience.
• Desirable: Eligibility for registration as a full member of the appropriate professional body (e.g., HCPC, NMC) and formal CBT training (e.g., CYP-IAPT).
• Experience delivering CBT interventions to CYP and their families.
• Experience working with schools to support CYP emotional well-being needs; experience running therapy groups and/or training events; experience supervising staff.
• Knowledge of the education system and safeguarding responsibilities; ability to communicate complex information effectively to clients, families, carers and professionals.
• Knowledge of Electronic Patient Systems (RIO/System One) is desirable.

Other Information

• UK sponsorship: Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, sponsorship may not be available for all roles. Check eligibility under the UKVI points-based system. For sponsorship, calculations exclude HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement).
• Use of AI: Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI during the recruitment process.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS): This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act; a DBS check will be required.
• UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. See NHS Careers for details.

Details

• Employer: NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
• Location: Maidstone Studios, Vinters Park, New Cut Road, Maidstone, ME14 5NZ
• Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 per annum
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working, Compressed hours
• Reference: 395-KM294-25