Mental Health School Practitioner

The Esland Group Ltd; Grantham; On-site; GBP 23,520 - 27,247; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension scheme

Life insurance

Induction training

Career development

Cycle to work

EAP access

EV car scheme

Refer a Friend bonus

Monthly recognition awards

Job summary

Esland Grantham School seeks a Mental Health Practitioner to provide therapeutic support for pupils aged 8–18 with SEND and SEMH needs. You will work in a dedicated, specialist provision, building therapeutic relationships and delivering targeted interventions.

Role starts between September and October 2026. Permanent, full-time position with core hours 8:30am–4:30pm, in-school setting at Grantham. Competitive salary and pension benefits offered.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification (higher education) in Counselling, Therapeutic Counselling, Youth Work, Mental Health, Social Care, Education, Child Development, Play Therapy, or ELSA.
• Paid, professional experience of working with children and young people with SEMH, SEND or trauma histories.
• Understanding of attachment, trauma and child development.
• Ability to build therapeutic relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Build safe, trusting and therapeutic relationships with children and young people.
• Deliver individual and group interventions tailored to the emotional, developmental and relational needs of pupils.
• Use trauma-informed, attachment-aware approaches to support emotional wellbeing and regulation.
• Support children and young people to develop emotional literacy, resilience, self-awareness and coping skills.
• Adapt interventions according to developmental stage, neurodiversity and individual needs.
• Participate in the school referral process and clinical meetings.
• Maintain accurate record keeping in line with legislation and school policy.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, pastoral staff, families and external professionals.
• Ensure safeguarding and child protection considerations underpin all aspects of practice.
• Maintain a commitment to continued professional development

Skills

Experience with SEMH/SEND/trauma

Therapeutic relationship building

Attachment theory knowledge

Strong communication skills

Full UK driving licence

Education

Higher education qualification in a related field

Job description

Mental Health School Practitioner

Application Deadline: 31 August 2026

Department: Education

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Grantham School - Grantham

Compensation: £23,520 - £27,247 / year

Description

Are you an experienced children's mental health/therapeutic practitioner who is looking for the next step in their career? Would you like to be part of a highly valued, child focused team?

If so, we would love to hear from you?

Role: Mental Health Practitioner

Location: Esland Grantham School

Contract: permanent, full time

Hours: full time, Monday to Friday (core hours between 8:30am and 4:30pm)

Salary: £23,520 to £27,247 depending on experience and qualifications

Closing Date: Monday 31st August 2026

Interview Date: September 2026 (TBC)

Role Start Date: between September and October 2026

Esland are driven to changing children’s’ lives for the better by providing best-in-class specialist services.

We are excited to announce that due to growth, we are seeking a Mental Health Practitioner to support the pupil's of our Grantham school. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a dedicated, specialist provision supporting vulnerable young people aged 8 to 18 years who have SEND and SEMH needs.

The successful candidate will be seeking a long term career within the school and will work therapeutically with our children, providing support and assessing their emotional, developmental and daily needs.

We think that our teams are the best in the industry - if you want to join us, there has never been a better time!

Key Responsibilities for a Mental Health Practitioner:

• Build safe, trusting and therapeutic relationships with children and young people.
• Deliver individual and group interventions tailored to the emotional, developmental and relational needs of pupils.
• Use trauma-informed, attachment-aware and evidence-informed approaches to support emotional wellbeing and regulation.
• Support children and young people to develop emotional literacy, resilience, self-awareness and coping skills.
• Adapt interventions according to developmental stage, neurodiversity and individual needs.
• Participate in the school referral process and clinical meetings.
• Maintain accurate record keeping in line with legislation and school policy
• Work collaboratively with teachers, pastoral staff, families and external professionals.
• Ensure safeguarding and child protection considerations underpin all aspects of practice.
• Maintain a commitment to continued professional development

The above list is an accurate representation of the role responsibilities but is not exhaustive.

What we can offer a Mental Health Practitioner:

• A competitive annual salary between £23,520 and £27,247 (reviewed annually)
• Enrolment into the Esland education pension scheme, which is double matched up to 20%, meaning at total pension contribution of up to 30%
• Company sick pay
• Life insurance to the value of 4 times your basic salary
• Comprehensive, paid induction training and ongoing training within the role
• Fantastic opportunities for career development, we promoted over 100 colleagues last year
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) including our Online GP 24/7, 365 days a year
• Access to our Green Hybrid and EV car scheme
• A £500 bonus via our 'Refer a Friend’ scheme
• Monthly recognition awards
• Access to big-brand deals and discounts via our employee benefits scheme E-Together
• The opportunity to make a real difference to a child's life!

Requirements for a Mental Health Practitioner:

Essential

• A relevant qualification (higher education) in a related field (Counselling, Therapeutic Counselling, Youth Work, Mental Health, Social Care, Education, Child Development, Play Therapy, Creative Therapy, ELSA etc.)
• Paid, professional experience of working with children and young people with SEMH, SEND or trauma histories
• Understanding of attachment, trauma and child development
• Ability to build therapeutic relationships
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A full, UK driving licence

Desirable

• TISUK Diploma
• Therapeutic counselling qualification
• Experience working in therapeutic schools
• Knowledge of PACE, Polyvagal Theory or Dyadic Developmental Practice
• Experience delivering individual and group interventions

Successful employment is subject to satisfactory Full Enhanced Disclosure, right to work and reference checks in line with government regulations and Safer Recruitment Practices.

All young people are equally entitled to have their needs met in a fair and balanced way. Esland employees are responsible for promoting equal opportunities for all and for challenging any behaviour or practice which discriminates against any young person or colleague on the grounds of race, religion, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, or any other perceived difference.