Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is seeking a Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner to join the MHST expansion in South Hertfordshire. You will study with EMHPs at the University of East Anglia and work with schools in Watford, delivering low-intensity CBT under supervision.

The role requires travel and a full driving license, with 100% attendance at university teaching days and progression through postgraduate or graduate routes.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to write clear, detailed reports and letters.
• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships.

Responsibilities

• Study alongside trainee EMHPs at the University of East Anglia.
• Attend 100% of university teaching days and complete all components of the university training programme.
• Work with a team of mental health professionals including EMHPs and other practitioners.
• Provide low intensity CBT interventions for children and young people with mild to moderate mental health needs.
• Support schools and colleges to identify and address wellbeing needs.
• Travel to schools in Watford and surrounding areas as part of the role.

Skills

Communication skills

Written communication

Teamwork

Time management

DBS check

Education

Honours degree in psychology or related field

Job description

As part of the transformation of the Hertfordshire Children and Young People (CYP) Mental Health Service, our priority is to improve access to mental health and wellbeing support through the implementation of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs)., The Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner will:

• Study alongside other trainee EMHPs at the University of East Anglia.
• Be expected to attend 100% of university teaching days and successfully complete all components of the university training programme.
• Work closely alongside a team of mental health professionals including qualified EMHPs, Children's Wellbeing Practitioners, Senior Practitioners, Senior Wellbeing Practitioners and a Team Leader.
• Work with children and young people with mild to moderate mental health presentations, who attend a South Hertfordshire MHST school.
• Develop and practice evidence-based skills under supervision to work directly with children, young people and families.
• Develop and practice evidence-based skills under supervision to carry out holistic and child-centred mental health assessments, including risk assessments.
• Under supervision, develop, practice and deliver low intensity evidence based interventions.
• Support the wellbeing and mental health needs identified by schools and colleges.
• Provide support to children and young people attending schools and colleges in Watford and surrounding areas in South Hertfordshire.

Please note that this role requires frequent travel and therefore you need a full valid driving license, access to a car and Business Car Insurance; unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving.

• Develop their knowledge and practice skills to deliver a range of low intensity CBT, evidence-based interventions for mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
• Provide both direct individual and group support for children, young people and their parents/carers, in line with the university expectations.
• Support the mental health lead in each education setting to introduce or develop their whole school or college approach for mental health and emotional wellbeing.
• Give timely advice to school and college staff, and liaise with external specialist services, to help children and young people get to the right support and stay in education.

The post holder will also be expected to:

• Complete comprehensive assessments of the emotional wellbeing and mental health needs of children and young people.
• Work with parents/carers when delivering parent-led interventions.
• Provide whole school approach support to large groups of children and young people, education staff and parents/carers.
• Actively participate in case management and clinical skills supervision. This includes taking part in roles plays, recording and reviewing sessions in supervision and implementing advice provided by the supervisor.

This post is designed to open up a new and exciting opportunity for a career in children and young people's mental health in schools.

Over the course of the training year, the post-holder will work under supervision as part of a dynamic mental health team where low-intensity CBT evidence-based interventions, new ideas and ways of working with children and young people are actively encouraged. This approach requires flexibility, dynamism and above all a passion for working with children, young people and their parents and carers in educational settings.

Please note: Continued employment in this post is conditional on the successful completion of the course.

University training programme: Successful candidates will be expected to travel to the University of East Anglia for in person teaching in addition to remote teaching which can be accessed from home or your work base. 100% attendance at university is required. When not in university, you will be in service on school sites or at your office base.

Please note: There are two routes of study, postgraduate (Level 7) or graduate (level 6). Postgraduate (Level 7): Evidence of academic attainment at degree level or above is required. Graduate (Level 6): Applicants for the Graduate Diploma will need to demonstrate their ability to work at degree level and should provide evidence in their application of their previous academic attainment; this should include good basic numeracy and literacy qualifications at a minimum of level 2. Successful applicants to the graduate route will be offered access to additional support throughout their training to ensure that they are able to meet the academic requirements of the course.

• Postgraduate route (level 7) Evidence of academic attainment at degree level or above. OR Graduate route (level 6): Evidence of ability to study at degree level and evidence of previous academic attainment
• Good solid basic literacy and numeracy qualifications at a minimum of level 2

Desirable criteria

• Relevant Honours Degree (e.g. psychology, mental health, sociology, education etc.), Significant relevant experience working with children and young people in an education or clinical care setting.
• Experience of working with looked after children or other vulnerable groups of CYP

COMMUNICATION SKILLSEssential criteria

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to write clear, detailed reports and letters
• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships

Physical skillsEssential criteria

• Car driver with a full valid driving license (unless they have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010) which prevents them from driving
• Able to travel to meet the requirements of the post

Mental effortEssential criteria

• Able to manage own caseload and demonstrate good time management and prioritisation skills.
• Able to work in an environment that is at times extremely busy and demanding., Ability to personally manage a sensitive, traumatic and potentially emotionally distressing caseload, Examples of being kind, welcoming, positive, professional, respectful, Full, enhanced and current satisfactory DBS disclosure for the role, Ability to learn in a variety of settings using a variety of methods
• Computer literate with the ability to use software like Microsoft Office.
• Ability to study as a self-motivated learner who can direct their own progress towards learning objectives.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of children and young people gained through academic study in child development, child wellbeing or mental health.
• Knowledge of the educational system in England

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.

Our family of over 3500 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services. The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout, If you think you can make a difference to children and young people - join the HPFT Mental Health Support Team today!