Specialist Nurse/SALT/OT/ASW Psychological Practitioner

TN United Kingdom; Canterbury; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a compassionate and motivated senior health or social care professional to join their dynamic Children & Young People’s Mental Health Learning Disability service. This role involves working closely with families and networks, providing evidence-based support to children with learning disabilities and mental health challenges. The organization emphasizes a supportive work environment, offering opportunities for professional development and flexible working arrangements. If you're passionate about making a difference in children's lives and thrive in a collaborative setting, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Health and wellbeing support

Equality and diversity initiatives

Qualifications

• Graduate training in nursing, social work, or equivalent CAMHS clinical experience.
• Postgraduate training in relevant areas of psychology or mental health practice.

Responsibilities

• Assess and develop evidence-based care plans for young people referred to the LD service.
• Manage safety and develop positive behaviour support plans to reduce distress.

Skills

Clinical experience with children

Positive behavioural support

Systemic interventions

Mental health practice

Education

Graduate training in nursing

Postgraduate training in psychology

Job description

Joining #TeamNELFT means you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We’re CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London, Essex, Kent and Medway. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas.

The Trust has award-winning equality and diversity initiatives and staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest heavily in your development because when you are valued and supported, we provide the best care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, featured in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for three consecutive years, and have achieved a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Along with our staff networks and training opportunities, we work hard to embed a just and compassionate culture at NELFT.

Find out more about NELFT careers in this video.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a senior qualified health or social care professional to join our dynamic Children & Young People’s Mental Health Learning Disability service. The post is based in Maidstone or Canterbury CYPMHS, but we offer LD services across Kent & Medway, incorporating a range of town and rural communities, each with their own demographic needs.

Main duties of the job

The service provides evidence-based NICE recommended positive behavioural support & other psychosocial interventions to children, young people, their families & networks. You will be a motivated & compassionate individual with clinical experience working with children & young people diagnosed with moderate to severe & profound learning disabilities, alongside behaviour that challenges/other mental health difficulties and neurodiversity.

Most clinical work with this group involves working with families & networks around the child rather than the child directly, using positive behavioural approaches, systemic interventions & other psychological methods. Safeguarding is a high priority with this vulnerable client group.

Working for our organisation

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt unless they are currently partway through a probation or are a bank staff member.

Starting with NELFT

New starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month, undertaking a comprehensive induction including mandatory training, systems training, and equipment allocation. They will also meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend engagement, health, wellbeing, and key process sessions. Induction is held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Use of AI

Applications should be written by the applicant. If AI programs are used, the application may be rejected as this document is vital for assessment. Support with applications is available for those with declared disabilities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Assess and develop evidence-based care plans for young people referred to the LD service.

Manage safety and develop positive behaviour support plans to reduce distress & behaviours of concern such as self-injury or aggression.

Work with families & networks, including schools, social care & care providers, to assess behaviour functions and share strategies, possibly through workshops & group work.

Hold a caseload of young people/families with complex needs related to Learning Disability, Behaviours of Concern & other emotional/mental health challenges.

Work closely with team members and partnership agencies like Social Services and Education.

Demonstrate interest in multi-agency work and evidence-based practice in children’s mental health. Opportunities for CPD, in-service teaching, and supervision are available.

Complete Routine Outcome Measures aligned with the CYP-IAPT programme principles.

Work independently with good clinical/therapeutic skills to engage families and ensure high standards of care in line with Trust values and CQC.

Overseas qualified nurses interested in becoming UK registered nurses with the NMC can check eligibility for support through NEU Professionals. Applications should be submitted via the Capital Nurse London group.

While NELFT is a registered sponsor, sponsorship is not available for all roles, as indicated during the application process.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Graduate training in nursing, social work, Occupational therapy, or equivalent CAMHS clinical experience.

Further qualifications

• Postgraduate training in relevant areas of psychology, mental health practice, or research.

Experience

• Experience working with challenging children/young people requiring complex interventions.
• Experience working with individuals with Moderate to Severe Learning Disabilities.
• Minimum of 3-5 years post-qualification experience in CAMHS or equivalent with complex cases.

We support our employees holistically, offering equality and diversity initiatives, flexible working, health and wellbeing support, and more. We encourage flexible working arrangements to accommodate individual needs.