Senior Education Mental Health Practitioner

Manchester University Nhs Foundation Trust; Stretford; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) invites applications for a role supporting mental health services in education settings. You will deliver CBT-informed interventions for children and young people with mild to moderate difficulties, within professional guidelines and supervision structures.

Collaboration with schools and community partners is essential. The post emphasizes autonomous practice, evidence-based assessments, and lead responsibilities for project work within a

Qualifications

• Essential: You must be registered/accredited with a professional body (EMHP/CYWP/SWP, RMN/RSCN/RNMH, Social Work, Occupational Therapy or other accreditable qualification).
• Desirable: Qualifications in Psychological Therapies e.g. CBT / SFT/ IPT.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct intervention for children and young people with mild/moderate mental health difficulties.
• Deliver CBT-informed interventions, individually and in groups.
• Undertake needs-led assessments within supervision framework and contribute to care planning.
• Lead responsibilities for specific projects and liaise with schools and partners.

Skills

Communication skills

Multi-disciplinary team work

Clinical governance

Time management

Independent working

Education

EMHP/CYWP/SWP registered

UK professional registration

Job description

Job summary

Salford Thrive in Education is a Mental Health Support Team (MHST) developed as part of the national project to increase access to psychological support in education settings for children & young people. We work closely with partner agencies as part of the getting help offer for child mental health.

The team work within education settings, including colleges to improve the whole setting approach to mental health & emotional wellbeing. We deliver CBT informed interventions for mild to moderate mental health difficulties individually and in groups.

Main duties of the job

As an autonomous practitioner you will play a key part in the delivery of high-quality service provision that promotes and improves the mental health and well‑being of children and young people, their families, and carers. In an education based team you will provide direct intervention for young people presenting with mild/moderate mental health difficulties within professional practice guidelines and a structured supervision framework. As the post holder, you will be required to adapt to and undertake different or new duties in line with professional and service developments.

Within a systemic and holistic framework, you will undertake needs led, evidence based, skilled assessments and provide therapeutic interventions, ensuring this is done evidencing shared decision making and partnership working with children and young people, their families and carers.

As part of working together you will offer quality consultation and advise to schools and support schools in developing their Whole school Approach to mental health and emotional wellbeing. You will actively liaise and support robust partnership working arrangements between MHST and community partners. You will undertake lead responsibilities for specific projects in the service.

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward‑thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement. Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients. You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives. At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions. Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.

Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place

To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we're proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other. As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

• Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
• Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.
• Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person Specification

Registration/Accreditation

Essential

• You must be registered/accredited (or, if EMHP/CWP, in the process of becoming accredited) with a professional body.

Qualifications

Essential

• You must have a recognised qualification. Recognised qualifications are: EMHP/CYWP/SWP Registered Nursing: RMN/RSCN/RNMH Social Work (CQSW/DipSW) Occupational Therapy Other relevant accreditable qualification

Desirable

• Qualifications in Psychological Therapies e.g. CBT / SFT/ IPT

Experience

Essential

• Proven experience of working effectively with people with mental health difficulties.
• Experience of assessing and managing risk: including safeguarding.
• Experience of developing and providing evidenced based assessments, formulations, and care plans.
• Experience of mentoring and informal supervision of others.
• Experience of liaison and working with a range of other relevant agencies and professionals.
• Experience of autonomously managing a caseload within a service.
• Understanding of the principles of Clinical Governance and a willingness to follow Trust Policy and Procedures

Desirable

• Experience of working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
• Experience of providing interventions for children and young people with mental health problems and their families
• Community mental health experience.
• Experience of providing clinical supervision and clinical skills.

Knowledge skills & ability

Essential

• Up to date knowledge of child mental health and relevant legislation.
• Understanding of evidence-based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences clinical practice.
• The ability to assess, formulate and manage care appropriately, ensuring discharge is timely.
• The ability to use assessment tools and outcome measures / ROMs effectively and in collaboration with the child, young person, and family.
• To be able to function as a part of a multi-disciplinary team and to liaise effectively with other agencies i.e., education, GP's, maintaining positive working relationships.
• The ability to reflect on and critically appraise own practice
• To have the ability to manage own caseload.
• Ability to manage and organise own time and diary.
• The ability to follow policy and make proposals for change.
• The ability to work independently with the support of clinical and management supervision.
• The ability to maintain clinical records both written and electronic.

Desirable

• Experience of delivering training
• Demonstrable therapeutic skills
• IT competent
• Knowledge and understanding of the research process

Personal Attributes

Essential

• A commitment to undertake further relevant training and self-directed study.
• Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required.
• Ability to travel across the MFT footprint

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate 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 visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve.