Job overview
NELFT is the largest provider of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in England. Our Southend, Essex and Thurrock services cover 144 schools currently. We currently cover 48% of secondary and primary school within Southend, Essex and Thurrock.
The MHST deliver evidence-based individual and group interventions in educational settings for children experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties aged 4 to 18 years old. The teams also have a strong focus on whole school approaches to improve mental health outcomes for children and young people.
In the South-East MHST, we are looking for practitioners with qualifications in at least one of the following areas:
1. Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP)
2. Children Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP)
We are an early intervention and prevention service and in South-East Essex we are passionate in what we deliver. We are a friendly team of professionals who come from multidisciplinary backgrounds. We recognise the needs for a healthy work life balance, and we will consider flexible working applications in line with the trust policies and process. We encourage Continual Professional Development (CPD) and are keen to support our staff to progress. Finally, we are a welcoming and considerate team, that work incredibly hard to support one another to improve the mental health of our community.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will work in partnership with schools, to support children, young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties and their families in the self-management of presenting difficulties. This will include offering 1:1 sessions, group sessions, and whole school approaches.
Practitioners will work as autonomous and responsible clinicians within their scope of practice, alongside education colleagues. They will be experienced in the delivery of interventions to support CYP in primary, secondary and higher education settings.
The practitioner will complete robust assessments, risk assessments, care plans and reviews.
They will be proficient in using Routine Outcome Measures (ROMS) and clinical tools to gather feedback and guide clinical practice, with opportunities for service provision planning and mapping with schools to inform the delivery of support to CYP.
The post holder will be supported to work alongside other EMHPs/CWPs in educational settings, as well as working alongside more Senior Mental Health Practitioners to support learning and development.
If you are not already registered with the BABCP or BPS, we will support you to register during your probationary period.
This role, will require the successful applicant to work across Southend, Castle Point & Rochford and Canvey Island therefore you will need access to a vehicle.
Working for our organisation
Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).
Starting with NELFT
NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focusing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
Base
This post requires the successful applicant to work agilely between NELFT sites and educational settings. For applicant to have the ability to work independently is an important factor. Some travel around the county is also expected. The nominated base for South East Essex is The Skyline Plaza in Southend.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer closely to this when completing your application.
We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Any development needs to help you succeed in the role, can be discussed at the interview stage.
Certificates of Sponsorship
Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points based system.
Use of AI
Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
3. Successful completion of the HEE/NHSE commissioned 1yr Education Mental Health Practitioner’ course/Children's Wellbeing Practitioner course.
4. Appropriate registration with either the BABCP or BPS as a low intensity practitioner.
Desirable criteria
5. Applicant can demonstrate they are in process of their application with the BABCP or BPS
Experience
Essential criteria
6. Experience of the delivery of specific therapeutic interventions to children, young people, or their families ( CBT, solution focused brief therapy)
7. Ability to conduct mental health assessments, risk assessments and communicate appropriately with children, young people and parents
Desirable criteria
8. Experience working within educational settings
Knowledge
Essential criteria
9. Knowledge of educational environments
10. Knowledge of safeguarding issues
Skills
Essential criteria
11. Knowledge of capacity and consent issues including Gillick competence
12. Excellent oral and written communication skills
Other
Essential criteria
13. To be able to travel efficiently throughout the area
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
14. JD Band 5 EMHP CWP (PDF, KB)
15. NELFT Application - Hints and Tips (PDF, KB)
Apply online now
Further details / informal visits contact
NameMarlene RajiJob titleOperational Manager - South-East MHSTEmail address