Education Mental Health Practitioner - Mental Health Support Team

NELFT NHS Foundation Trust; Dartford; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 37,000; Part time

Job summary

An established NHS foundation trust is seeking passionate Education Mental Health Practitioners to join their innovative Mental Health Support Teams. This role involves assessing and treating children and young people while collaborating with schools to enhance mental health education and support. With a focus on developing a Whole School Approach and providing targeted interventions, you will play a crucial role in improving the mental wellbeing of young people in your community. The Trust values professional development and offers a comprehensive induction program, ensuring you are well-equipped to make a meaningful impact. This is a fantastic opportunity to advance your career in a supportive and dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified Education Mental Health Practitioners with relevant registration.
• Experience delivering therapeutic interventions to children and families.

Responsibilities

• Assess and treat children and young people under MHST core functions.
• Collaborate with schools to deliver mental health services.

Skills

Therapeutic Interventions

Mental Health Assessments

Communication Skills

Knowledge of Education Systems

Knowledge of Safeguarding Issues

Education

Education Mental Health Practitioner Course

Registration with BABCP or BPS

Job description

Band 5

Main area: Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) - Mental Health Support Team

Grade Band: 5

Contract: Permanent, 30 hours per week (flexible working pattern will be considered). 37.5 hours per week (80% Annual Leave must be used in school holidays due to service demand in term time.)

Job ref: 395-PP255-24-A

Site: Twisleton Court, Town: Dartford

Salary: £29,970 - £36,483 plus HCAS per annum

Salary period: Yearly

Closing date: 12/02/2025 23:59

Job Overview

Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) support children, young people, and their families linked to identified school settings. Each designated MHST collaborates with schools and other agencies covering a population of up to 7,000 children and young people. Established in Kent in 2019, the service aims to cover 50% of schools across Kent and Medway by 2026, increasing early access to services and offering greater preventative provision.

We also work with schools to support their development of a Whole School Approach (WSA) to emotional wellbeing and mental health, as well as developing curriculum content to ensure pupils are taught about mental health in the classroom.

Vacancies are available in different parts of the county:

• Dartford
• West Kent
• Medway

You will be able to express your preference at the interview.

Main Responsibilities

• Assessment and Treatment of Children and Young People under the MHST 3 Core functions (Targeted Intervention, Whole School Approach & Consultation and Liaison)
• Work as part of a team with a set number of schools to deliver the core components of the service
• Active participation in local and county-wide meetings and supervision forums

We hope successful candidates will have a passion for participation and service development, as we are involved in several research and co-production projects. We aspire for successful candidates to be keen to develop their skills further to explore exciting career prospects within MHST services.

Working for Our Organisation

NELFT places great importance on welcoming and inducting new starters into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undergo a comprehensive induction lasting up to two weeks, including mandatory training, systems training, and allocation of equipment. New starters will also meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend various drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health, wellbeing, and key processes. Induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

An extensive local induction includes a service welcome meeting, team meet and greet, and shadowing opportunities across various settings.

Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt unless currently partway 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 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 our teams and work with us to develop the service further and ensure we meet the core components:

• Whole School Approach
• Targeted Treatment (main evidence base is low intensity CBT individual and group)
• 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 is passionate about the careers of EMHPs, and we have an exciting CPD program happening in service. We are working closely with Health Education England (HEE) and NHS England to explore the career pathways of this new workforce.

We maintain good working relationships with the University of Surrey and Kings College London, seeking to develop our staff to progress into senior positions and consider senior EMHP training opportunities and supervisor training.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Successful completion of the Education Mental Health Practitioner course.
• Appropriate registration with either the BABCP or BPS as a low intensity practitioner.
• Demonstrated progress in the application process with the BABCP or BPS.

Experience

• Experience in delivering specific therapeutic interventions to children, young people, or their families (e.g., CBT, solution-focused brief therapy).
• Ability to conduct mental health assessments, risk assessments, and communicate effectively with children, young people, and parents.
• Experience working within educational settings.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of education systems within the United Kingdom.
• Knowledge of safeguarding issues.

Skills

• Knowledge of capacity and consent issues including Gillick competence.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Other

• Holds a driving licence and has access to a vehicle.

Employer Certification / Accreditation Badges

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.