Job overview
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 who 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. It is expected that this will 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 heath as well as their development of curriculum content to ensure pupils are taught about mental health in the classroom.
Kent and Medway Mental Health Support Teams | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
We have vacancies in different parts of the county.
1. Canterbury
2. Ashford
3. Folkestone / Dover
4. Thanet
You will be able to make your preference at interview
Kent Emotional Wellbeing Team and Medway Emotional Support Team
Information for school staff, families and professionals to find out more about the services the Kent and Medway Mental Health Support Teams provide.
Kent Emotional Wellbeing Team and Medway Emotional Support Team | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
Main duties of the job
5. Assessment and Treatment of Children and Young People under the MHST 3 Core functions (Targeted Intervention, Whole School Approach & Consultation and Liaison)
6. To work as part of a team with a set number of schools to deliver the core components of the service
7. Active participation in local and county wide meetings and supervision forums
(Please see Job Description for more details)
We hope successful candidates will come with a passion for participation and service development as we have a number of research and co-production projects we are working on. It is also the aspiration that successful candidates will be keen to develop their skills further to consider their exciting career prospects within MHST services.
Working for our organisation
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 focussing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
We also have an extensive local induction for all new staff which includes service welcome meeting, team meet and greet and shadowing opportunities across a range of settings.
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).
Flexible Working
We will consider part-time hours (30 hours plus) and flexible working pattern applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to promote a healthy work life balance.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We are looking for Qualified Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHP) to join the teams and work with us to develop the service further and ensure we meet the core components;
8. Whole School Approach
9. Targeted Treatment (main evidence base is low intensity CBT individual and group)
10. Consultation and Liaison
**(if you are about to qualify from an EMHP course please apply as posts can be held for successful applicants)
Our senior Clinical Team are passionate about the careers of EMHP's and CWP's and we have exciting CPD program happening in service and are working closely with Health Education England (HEE) and NHS England to look at the career pathways of this new work force.
We have good working relationships with University of Surrey and Kings Collage London and are looking at developing our staff to progress into senior positions and consider senior EMHP training opportunities and supervisor training.
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.
Fair Recruitment
As part of NELFT fair and legal recruitment we want to ensure reasonable adjustments are in place for anyone that has a disability during their interview process. We would be grateful if you can disclose on your application if you have a disability requiring reasonable adjustments.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
11. Successful completion of Education Mental Health Practitioner course
Desirable criteria
12. Working towards / received professional registration with either the BABCP or BPS as a low intensity practitioner.
Experience
Essential criteria
13. Experience of the delivery of specific therapeutic interventions to children, young people, or their families ( CBT, solution focused brief therapy)
14. Ability to conduct mental health assessments, risk assessments and communicate appropriately with children, young people and parents.
Desirable criteria
15. Experience of working within educational settings
Skills
Essential criteria
16. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Desirable criteria
17. Knowledge of capacity and consent issues including Gillick competence.
Travel
Essential criteria
18. Ability to travel across a large geographical area in a timely manner.
Desirable criteria
19. Holds a valid driving licence and has access to a vehicle.
Knowlegde
Essential criteria
20. Knowledge of education systems within the United Kingdom.
21. Knowledge of safeguarding issues.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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
22. Job Description and Personal Specifications for EMHP (PDF, KB)
23. NELFT Application - Hints and Tips (PDF, KB)
Apply online now
Further details / informal visits contact
NameJoanna EvansJob titleOperational Managers (Mental Health Support Team)Email addressEWTandESTTelephone number07858689098