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, covering 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 old. 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 Education Mental Health Practitioner (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 being 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 of 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.
About us
Starting with NELFT
NELFT places 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 meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing, and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
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 partway through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).
Job responsibilities
The MHST covers a large geographical area incorporating the districts of Braintree, Chelmsford, and Maldon. We are an early intervention and prevention evidence-based service, and as a team, we are supportive and passionate in what we deliver. We are a friendly team of professionals who come from multidisciplinary backgrounds. We recognize the need for a healthy work-life balance, and we will consider flexible working applications in line with the trust policies and processes. We encourage Continual Professional Development (CPD) and are keen to support our staff to grow and progress.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
* Experience of working in community mental health settings.
* Minimum two years post-qualification experience.
Desirable
* Experience of working with/in schools.
* Experience of clinical leadership.
* Minimum of 2 years experience of supervising staff.
* Trained as a NELFT safeguarding supervisor.
Qualification
Essential
* Qualified & Registered Mental Health Practitioner, Psychologist, Family Therapist, Psychotherapist, Nurse, CBT Therapist, Educational Psychologist.
* Registered with the relevant governing body (e.g., NMC, BABCP, UKCP, HCPC).
* Professional training in an evidence-based therapeutic approach applicable to working with children, young people, and families.
Desirable
* Successful completion of CYP-IAPT Supervision course.
* Postgraduate qualification in Mental Health.
Knowledge
Essential
* Ability to form excellent working relationships with colleagues and work flexibly with others in multidisciplinary and multi-agency settings.
* Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice.
Desirable
* Has an excellent understanding of MHSTs and Education settings.
Skills
Essential
* Confident speaking with a range of audiences in different settings including education settings.
* Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of multimedia materials suitable for presentations with clients and/or professionals.
* Ability to adapt, prioritize, and effectively manage allocated caseload and service needs.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. #J-18808-Ljbffr