Senior Mental Health Practitioner MHST

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust; Basildon; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust seeks a Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join the South-West Essex MHSTs in Basildon. You will deliver CBT interventions in schools and support Whole School Approaches to improve wellbeing for children and young people.

You will supervise Education Mental Health Practitioners, develop school networks, and deliver staff training and group programmes across Essex. Regular travel between schools is required.

Qualifications

• CYPMHS clinicians or registered professionals with a postgraduate diploma in evidence-based psychological therapies.
• Strong CBT experience is essential.
• Experience delivering staff training is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Deliver CBT interventions in schools and colleges.
• Lead Whole School Approach activities.
• Supervise and guide Education Mental Health Practitioners.
• Develop school networks and co-produce mental health resources.
• Deliver staff training and support group programmes.

Skills

CBT experience

Supervision

Education

Postgraduate diploma in evidence-based psychological therapies

Job description

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Senior Mental Health Practitioner MHST

The closing date is 09 October 2026

Job summary

At NELFT, we are proud to be the largest provider of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in England. Our teams deliver evidence-based interventions in schools and colleges for children and young people aged 418, while also supporting Whole School Approaches to improve wellbeing across education settings. Working closely with school-based services and linking with CAMHS where needed, MHSTs play a vital role in strengthening mental health support for young people. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Mental Health Practitioner (SMHP) to join our South-West Essex MHSTs (areas include Thurrock, Brentwood and Billericay and Basildon). You will deliver CBT interventions, lead Whole School Approach activities, and support Education Mental Health Practitioners through supervision and guidance. The role also includes developing school networks, delivering staff training, supporting group programmes, and co-producing mental health resources.

Main duties of the job

Applicants should be CYPMHS clinicians undertaking or having completed CYP-PT CBT or SFP training, or registered professionals with a postgraduate diploma in evidence-based psychological therapies. Strong CBT experience is essential. Please read the job description for the essential criteria. You will work closely with schools to embed MHST support, develop materials for interventions, and promote positive mental health across education communities. Regular travel between schools is required, so access to a car is desirable.

About us

NELFT NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and community services for over 4.9 million people living in the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, and across Essex. We work to ensure our patients, their friends and family, feel confident that their health needs are well met. With an excellent reputation for research and development, our skilled health professionals are at the cutting edge of evidence-based innovation, opening up the possibilities for better ways of working and delivery of care.

Details

Date posted

25 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

PHX-3EL-002131

Job locations

• Phoenix House
• Basildon
• Essex
• SS14 3EZ
• United Kingdom

Employer details

Employer name

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Address

Phoenix House

Basildon

Essex

SS14 3EZ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Manager

Zoe Houchin

[e-mail]

Applicants should be CYPMHS clinicians undertaking or having completed CYP-PT CBT or SFP training, or registered professionals with a postgraduate diploma in evidence-based psychological therapies. Strong CBT experience is essential. Please read the job description for the essential criteria. You will work closely with schools to embed MHST support, develop materials for interventions, and promote positive mental health across education communities. Regular travel between schools is required, so access to a car is desirable.

At NELFT, we are proud to be the largest provider of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in England. Our teams deliver evidence-based interventions in schools and colleges for children and young people aged 418, while also supporting Whole School Approaches to improve wellbeing across education settings. Working closely with school-based services and linking with CAMHS where needed, MHSTs play a vital role in strengthening mental health support for young people. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Mental Health Practitioner (SMHP) to join our South-West Essex MHSTs (areas include Thurrock, Brentwood and Billericay and Basildon). You will deliver CBT interventions, lead Whole School Approach activities, and support Education Mental Health Practitioners through supervision and guidance. The role also includes developing school networks, delivering staff training, supporting group programmes, and co-producing mental health resources., NELFT NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and community services for over 4.9 million people living in the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, and across Essex. We work to ensure our patients, their friends and family, feel confident that their health needs are well met. With an excellent reputation for research and development, our skilled health professionals are at the cutting edge of evidence-based innovation, opening up the possibilities for better ways of working and delivery of care.