Job summary
NELFT is the largest provider of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in England. Our Southend, Essex, and Thurrock services cover 144 schools currently. We cover 48% of secondary and primary schools within Southend, Essex, and Thurrock.
The MHST delivers evidence-based individual and group interventions in educational settings for children experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties aged 4 to 18 years. The teams also focus on whole school approaches to improve mental health outcomes for children and young people.
The Locality Clinical Lead will be responsible for the caseload management & supervision of MHST practitioners. The post holder will work with and support the MHST Operational Manager in developing teams across the Locality to support the delivery of EMHP skills and facilitate wider service transformation within the local children's mental health system. The training, supervision, and service experience will equip the MHST staff with the necessary knowledge, attitude, and capabilities to operate effectively in an inclusive, value-driven service.
This post requires the successful applicant to work agilely between NELFT sites and educational settings. The ability to work independently is an important factor. Some travel around the county is also expected. The nominated base for Mid Essex is Stapleford House in Chelmsford.
Main duties of the job
1. Oversee the assessment, formulation, and intervention plans for children, young people (CYP), and families/carers supported by the MHSTs, drawing on a range of psychological theories and guided by evidence-based practice.
2. Work in partnership with schools to support CYP and families in the context of mild to moderate mental health difficulties, working towards agreed goals.
3. Undertake accurate assessment of risk to self and others.
4. Design, adapt, and modify clinical materials (e.g., guided self-help interventions, group content) to meet the needs of different clinical populations for approval by the senior team (e.g., SEN, ASC).
5. Through close case management and supervision, escalate cases where the level of need becomes beyond scope or more severe, ensuring adherence to other relevant elements of service delivery.
6. Provide a range of information and support to schools for evidence-based psychological treatments in various media.
7. Provide joint specialist mental health assessments and interventions for schools, parents, and CYP with the EMHP supervisees.
8. Demonstrate excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration throughout the service.
9. Support the strategic and practical development of the MHST initiative within the service and wider children's mental health system, under the direction of the Clinical Lead, Education Lead & Head of Service.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Hold a current and in-date core professional registration in Clinical/Educational/Counselling Psychologist, CBT Therapist, or Family Therapist.
* Professional training in an evidence-based therapeutic approach applicable to working with children, young people, and families.
Experience
Essential
* High-level knowledge of the theory and practice of evidence-based psychological interventions including CBT and experience in responding to safeguarding concerns.
* Minimum two years post-qualification experience and experience supervising CYPMHS clinicians and trainees.
* Experience working with children, young people, and their parents/carers presenting with a range of mental health difficulties and challenging behavior to provide assessment, formulation, and treatment.
Desirable
* Experience working with other agencies outside of the NHS (e.g., schools).
* Experience of whole school approaches to emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Knowledge
Essential
* Effectively manage a clinical caseload, complete outcome measures routinely, and update clinical records in line with team, service, and Trust requirements.
* Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health, education, the Children Act, and Child Protection.
Skills
Essential
* Ability to form good working relationships and work flexibly with others in multi-disciplinary and multi-agency settings.
* Ability to apply psychological theory to understand complex interpersonal/organizational situations and to guide actions.
* Ability to effectively and safely manage waiting lists in line with service demands and expectations.
Desirable
* Proficient in using Systmone.
Other
Essential
* Ability to travel efficiently throughout the area.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and as such, it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
Address
Mid Essex (covers Braintree, Chelmsford & Maldon area)
Chelmsford
CM2 0QX #J-18808-Ljbffr