MHST Team Lead

NHS; Milford on Sea; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a Team Lead for Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) to oversee both clinical and operational aspects. This role involves managing clinical staff while delivering mental health interventions to young people. Candidates should be registered professionals with experience in psychological interventions and possess leadership skills. The position offers flexibility in working patterns and a competitive salary, with a focus on enhancing mental health services within educational settings.

Qualifications

• Registered/Accredited psychologist or therapist with relevant qualifications.
• At least 2 years of experience in mental health interventions.
• Experience supervising and managing clinical staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational and clinical leadership within the MHST.
• Line manage clinical staff and promote core functions of MHST.
• Facilitate a supportive team culture and participate in audits.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality, evidence-based services across partnered schools.

Skills

Evidence-based psychological interventions

Line management

Clinical supervision

Ability to travel efficiently

Education

Registered Clinical/Counselling Psychologist

CBT Therapist

Family Therapist

Job description

Job Summary

This is an exciting new role within the NHS that offers an opportunity to progress within an operational capacity. We are seeking enthusiastic registered professionals who can undertake the role of Team Lead within the Mental Health Support Teams (MHST). This particular role is based within South East Essex.

The MHST works in partnership with schools and colleges to support the mental health and emotional wellbeing of young people through offering 1:1 CBT interventions and whole school approaches (WSA).

As a Team Lead you will work closely with the Operational Manager and Clinical Lead. Your role will be split 50/50 between clinical interventions and oversight and operational responsibilities. You will be responsible for line managing clinical staff while also holding a small caseload and overseeing delivery of services in your area.

Main duties of the job

Operational

• Support with recruitment; including review of job applications, interviewing, planning induction package.
• Sickness and absence management; including return to work meetings, staff wellbeing meetings and referrals to occupational health.
• Roster management, support with annual leave requests; flexible working requests and study leave.
• Organising and chairing meetings.
• Undertaking audits as required by the service.

Clinical

• Provide an efficient, effective, comprehensive and specialist MHST service for children and adolescents.
• Complete assessments and treatments for children and adolescents with emotional and mental health problems, their carers/parents and families.
• Undertake a range of generic clinical work, guided self‑help, targeted group work and workshops under Whole School Approach (WSA).
• Ensure delivery of interventions aligns with NICE guidance and use Routine Outcome Measures (ROMs) to monitor efficacy.
• Monitor and guide the team to meet safety benchmarks set by NELFT and the CQC.

About Us

Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co‑produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT: We are kind. We are respectful. We work together with our communities. These values help us strive to provide the best care by the best people.

Starting with NELFT

NELFT places a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and undertake a comprehensive induction lasting up to two weeks which includes mandatory training, system training and equipment allocation. New starters will also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend drop‑in sessions focused on engagement, health and wellbeing, and key processes. Induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period.

Details

Date posted: 15 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: 7

Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time, Part‑time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number: 395-EC296-25B

Job locations: Skyline Plaza, 45 Victoria Avenue, Southend on Sea, SS2 6BB

Job Responsibilities

• The Team Lead will provide operational and clinical leadership within the MHST, ensuring the locality team meets operational and clinical targets.
• Line manage clinical staff within the MHST.
• Actively promote the three core functions of MHST alongside the eight principles of the whole school approach.
• Facilitate the development of a positive and supportive team culture.
• Take an active interest in working parties and groups within the Trust to improve service delivery, protocols and guidelines.
• Participate in the audit process, linking in with the clinical governance agenda.
• ise and share knowledge using the latest research and practice development through literature and peer reviews in line with the registered governing body.
• Ensure a high‑quality, timely, accessible and evidence‑based service is provided equitably across all schools partnered with the MHST programme.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• Registered/Accredited, Clinical/Counselling Psychologist, Family Therapist, Drama Therapist, Art Psychotherapist, CBT Therapist, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist, IPT‑a therapist.

Desirable Qualifications

• Further professional qualifications gained through accredited courses, workshops, study and in‑house training programmes (e.g., leadership/project management).

Essential Experience

• At least 2 years of experience delivering evidence‑based psychological interventions in mental health with children and young people.
• Experience working with more complex presentations and neurodivergence.
• Experience supervising and/or line managing clinical staff.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working within educational settings.
• Experience providing clinical interventions in different cultural contexts.

Essential Other

• Ability to travel efficiently throughout the area.

Certificates 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. For further information please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Use of AI

Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI during the recruitment process.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer Details

Employer name: NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Address: Skyline Plaza, 45 Victoria Avenue, Southend on Sea, SS2 6BB

Website: https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/