Mental Health Support Worker

Teaching Vacancies; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Blanche Nevile School is seeking a dedicated practitioner to provide mental health support and counselling-style services for Deaf pupils aged 3–16. You will undertake one-to-one therapy, deliver Draw and Talk sessions, and work with the Wellbeing Team to improve pupil wellbeing.

The school operates a sign bilingual approach and collaborates with partner sites, offering a supportive, inclusive environment focused on the best outcomes for students.

Qualifications

• Trauma-informed practice across school settings.
• Deliver therapeutic support to pupils and maintain therapeutic boundaries.
• Plan and deliver Draw and Talk Therapy sessions for children.
• Collaborate with Wellbeing Team and staff to identify and support pupils.

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health support and counselling-style services for pupils.
• Undertake one-to-one therapeutic work with children/young people.
• Plan and deliver Draw and Talk Therapy sessions.
• Identify and contribute to best practices in pupil wellbeing.
• Maintain accurate records and support referrals to external agencies.
• Liaise with colleagues and outside agencies to maximise outcomes.
• Deliver intervention programs for referred students.
• Support Trauma Informed Schools / Thrive approaches.

Skills

Trauma-informed practice

One-to-one therapy with children

Draw and Talk Therapy

Intervention planning

Liaison with external agencies

Record keeping

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

The successful candidate will:

• provide mental health support, intervention, counselling style service for children in Blanche Nevile school, ensuring that the children and young people are provided with therapeutic and emotional support.
• undertake one-to-one therapeutic work with children and/or young people
• plan and deliver ‘Draw and talk Therapy’ sessions to children
• identify and contribute to the adoption of best practice across the school in all areas of pupil wellbeing.
• keep key staff informed about aspects of your work and schedule of intervention.
• develop your effectiveness by updating your knowledge and skills, seeking and taking account of constructive feedback on your performance, making effective use of the development opportunities made available to you.
• liaise with colleagues in school and with outside agencies to work towards the best outcomes for students
• be a lead practitioner in Trauma Informed Schools / Thrive, particularly with regard to Adverse Childhood Trauma
• maintain accurate records and help with any referrals to outside agencies
• deliver intervention programmes to named students who have been referred by Wellbeing Team members.
• implement strategies for students with attachment issues

What the school offers its staff

Blanche Nevile School is a well-known and highly regarded School for Deaf students. Its history dates back to 1895 when it first opened.

We are an exciting, innovative and successful provision for deaf children aged 3 - 16. The Secondary school is co-located with Fortismere School and the Primary school is co-located with Highgate Primary.

The post is currently for working at both sites:

Primary works in partnership with Highgate Primary School and Secondary works in partnership with Fortismere School. We offer ‘The Best of Both Worlds’; British Sign Language and English, small class specialist teaching and high-quality inclusion. We have a skilled team of deaf and hearing staff with a commitment to a child centred sign bilingual approach.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.