Main duties and responsibilities To work as a senior member of the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) leading on the delivery of the service offer to the designated schools aligned to the team. Take responsibility for the management of a complex caseload, which includes, specialist assessment (within service specification), and care planning in conjunction with service user and carer, evaluation of individual treatment plans for CYP with mental health needs. Responsible for participating in the setting of quality standards, including the auditing, monitoring and reviewing of practice in line with current clinical guidance practice and policy. Assess patient's individual care needs, develop, implement and evaluate programmes of care. Deliver a range of interventions in accordance with the agreed plan of care and Pathway guidance. Complete and contribute, where appropriate to robust risk assessments and risk management plans. Deliver and promote positive risk taking, where appropriate, to improve quality of life and maximise occupational performance/independence. Maintain an effective reporting system by observing and reporting verbally and in writing on patient condition To encourage and support service user and carer involvement and participation. To attend and contribute to MHST business and development forums. Utilise agreed outcome measures to review the effectiveness of interventions, as part of the care planning and evaluation process. Assist in ensuring that the aims and objectives of the service are fulfilled and to identify factors which may inhibit these from being achieved. The post holder will be required to work within their Code of Practice and professional guidelines. Maintain an up-to-date level of professional competence within the specific environment. To display effective networking skills, developing and maintaining effective working relationships with multi-professionals- within and external to Health departments. To support and lead clinical meetings along with other colleagues in the team. To offer supervision to colleagues within all MHST. Deliver consultation advice to education partners including signposting and referral to other services aimed at supporting children and young people. Provide case-by-case advice to school staff on more complex presentations in children/young people referred to the service. Support educational settings and MHST practitioners in developing and delivery of the whole school approach to include delivery of training/workshops and undertaking of audit processes to review continued implementation of the whole school approach. Provide a range of services and approaches as part of the Senior Practitioner role i.e. consultation, specialist advice, clinical supervision and support to those working with children such as those in primary care, health visitors, school nurses, teaching staff, residential staff, social workers, youth service etc. Research and Service Development Identify and highlight to the Service Managers and Senior colleagues relevant issues in relation to the needs for people and their carers; assessed using best practice evidence, in order that these are reflected in service planning, development and future provision. Develop efficient and relevant health promotion activities to promote health education and ensure that preventative approaches and interventions are used to maintain independence. Actively engage in the organisations clinical governance initiatives, for example to participate and lead in audit, clinical supervision and bringing critically evaluated evidence and research into practice. Participate in the development of the service to ensure clinical governance processes are actively implemented at team level. Human Resources and Training As required, supervise junior staff; provide clinical advice/supervision support, leadership and professional supervision, in line with Trust Policies. Support in the provision of formal and informal training of pre/post registration students, staff members, carers and service users. Participate in staff appraisal and performance reviews as identified. To participate, when required, in the recruitment, selection and induction of junior/support staff. Provide a learning environment to support students (multidisciplinary) undergoing training and assist new and junior members of staff, peers and other disciplines to develop professional competence. Systems and equipment Maintain timely data collection and regular inputting of information through the use of data collection systems e.g. daily diaries/RIO, Safeguard, ensuring that confidentiality is maintained at all times in accordance with legislation and Trust policy. Responsible for ensuring actions are carried out where safety alerts are issued regarding equipment. Decisions and judgements Facilitate the discharge or transition of the patient to other services where appropriate. Ensure that practice is evidence-based paying particular attention to the Trusts guidelines, policies, protocols and pathways. Be available for individual supervision with agreed clinical supervisor in line with Trust policies. Implement, review and maintain Trust Policies and Procedures and propose changes to working practices within the ward area. Communication and relationships Communicate sensitive diagnosis and treatment related information with patients, utilising highly developed communication skills to overcome barriers to understanding. Establish therapeutic relationships with service users, and implement evidence based therapeutic interventions with appropriate boundaries in accordance with professional code of conduct. Ensure that all members of the team, their colleagues, service users and appropriate others are informed/updated of changes involving current care plans, progress. Liaise with and advise service users and carers, schools and other statutory bodies and third sector agencies. Communicate sensitive information to carers and relatives. Use a range of communication styles and channels as appropriate to the task. General Responsible for the promotion of carer and service user involvement within the service and for its provision. Responsible for participation in the Trust appraisal process, identifying own/others mandatory professional, supervisory, personal development and training needs and in supporting the provision of induction, mentorship, appraisal and clinical supervision to colleagues as appropriate. Responsible for the effective utilisation of clinical/financial resources to ensure adequate clinical care is provided with a requirement that all incidents, which may compromise care, are reported immediately to a senior manager, and clinicians involved in their care as appropriate. Responsible for accessing and participating in clinical, managerial and caseload supervision. Responsible for understanding and meeting own professional responsibilities under Child Protection legislation and Adult Safeguarding policies. Physical demands of the job There is a frequent requirement for sitting in a restricted position for a substantial proportion of working time either with a child on the floor, in meetings, at a computer desk or while driving. Frequent use of road transportation to attend meetings in a range of settings. There will be a requirement for light physical effort to lift and transport resources or equipment to support service interventions or the delivery of resource packages dependent upon use of laptop, projectors, manuals etc. There will be movement between environments and settings requiring combination of sitting, standing, walking, and driving. Most challenging/difficult parts of the job The nature of the client group is such that the post holder will be required to concentrate when assessing / implementing programmes of care and will need to be able to address interruptions from other patients / staff as necessary. The post holder will be frequently exposed to emotional or distressing circumstances. The post holder will frequently be exposed to potential incidents of physical and non-physical assault.