Education Mental Health Practitioner/Children's Wellbeing Practitioner

NELFT NHS Foundation Trust; Colchester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in mental health care seeks a compassionate Education Mental Health Practitioner to join their dynamic team. This role focuses on delivering evidence-based interventions and emotional support to children and young people facing mental health challenges. You will collaborate closely with families and educational institutions to ensure the best outcomes for young individuals. With a strong commitment to professional development and a supportive environment, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of children and contribute to transforming mental health services within the community.

Benefits

Comprehensive induction program

Mandatory training

Health and wellbeing sessions

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering mental health support to children and young people.
• Ability to assess and manage risk effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert emotional wellbeing support to children and young people.
• Work collaboratively with families to develop intervention plans.
• Conduct accurate risk assessments and escalate when necessary.

Skills

Emotional wellbeing support

Mental health assessment

Evidence-based interventions

Collaboration with families

Risk assessment

Education

Relevant mental health qualification

Job description

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.

The Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP)/ Children's Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP) role will work with schools and colleges as part of a Mental Health Support Team (MHST) to provide expert emotional wellbeing and mental health support as part of plans to transform children and young people’s mental health through the NHS Long-Term Plan.

The teams will build on the support already in place from school counsellors, nurses, educational psychologists, and the voluntary sector to support those with mild to moderate mental health issues in school and will help children and young people with more severe needs to access the right support and provide a link to CAMHS.

Interviews will take place face-to-face in Colchester on the 2nd May.

• Assess and deliver outcome focused, evidence-based interventions to children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties recognising own limitations and seeking advice when necessary.
• Work in partnership with children, young people, and families in the development of plans for the intervention and agreed outcomes. This will include continuously evaluating and acting on outcomes and activity.
• Undertakes accurate assessment of risk to self and others.
• 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.
• Provide a range of information and support for evidence based psychological treatments, primarily guided self-help. This work may be face-to-face or by telephone.
• Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to CYP in treatment, where appropriate.
• Initiate referrals to other health professional specialist services and agencies.
• Act as an autonomous, registered practitioner who is legally and professionally accountable for their own unsupervised actions. Practitioners will be guided by the professional code of conduct.
• Communicate complex patient related information facilitating positive outcomes and ensuring collaborative working.

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 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 part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Sarah McGuinness Job title: Operational Manager - North East Essex MHST Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 07745107010