Whole School Approach Practitioner

NHS; North East; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Whole School Approach Practitioner to coordinate wellbeing strategies across schools within the North Durham area. The role focuses on implementing WSA, developing resources, and delivering early support to pupils.

You will work with schools and health partners, delivering low intensity interventions, and ensuring safeguarding and inclusion are central to service delivery.

Qualifications

• NVQ3, HNC/NND or equivalent qualification relevant to health, education or business administration
• Key literacy and numeracy skills at level 2 or GCSE C or above in Maths and English
• Experience of working in an education setting supporting children and young people
• Evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to health or education

Responsibilities

• Develop, monitor and implement the Whole School Approach (WSA) across participating schools
• Coordinate resources and plan staff time for WSA interventions
• Engage with schools, colleges and other stakeholders to improve wellbeing and inclusion
• Deliver low-intensity CBT-based interventions when appropriate to support students

Skills

Microsoft Office

Communication

Teamwork

Safeguarding

Adaptability

Education

NVQ3/HNC/ND equivalent

GCSE Maths & English C+

Experience in education setting

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Education management systems

Job description

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Whole School Approach Practitioner

The closing date is 16 September 2026

Would you like to be part of an exciting and innovative service working with young people with an ethos of prevention and early intervention?

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic Whole School Approach Practitioner for our North Durham Piece of Mind Team. The successful post holder will coordinate whole school approach activities and resources.

You must have the Right to Work in the UK in order to be successfully appointed to this role. Please note, this role does not meet the required eligibility criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa and therefore the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this particular role.

Main duties of the job

The Piece of Mind Team deliver evidence-based early interventions for children and young people, working across both educational settings and healthcare sectors in England. We currently have 3 Piece of Mind teams across Durham, which are embedded within education settings

The Wellbeing in Mind team has 3 functions:

1. Support the development of a whole school (or college) approach (WSA) to wellbeing. This can include, but is not limited to, supporting sites to develop and implement mental health and wellbeing policies, development of resources, supporting campaigns and delivering training, assemblies and PHSE curriculum.

2. Provide timely advice and consultation to education staff. This is designed to support teaching staff to build their skills and confidence in supporting the wellbeing needs of their students/pupils. This is offered in both a formal and informal way.

3. Undertake direct assessments and intervention for young people within education. We offer a low intensity service model, predominantly using cognitive-behavioural therapy.

The successful post holder will be required to work in line with function 1.

About us

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care - our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care we need, to lead their best possible life.

Job responsibilities

Responsible for the development, monitoring and implementation of the WSA approach in participating schools with limited or indirect supervision, with direction from Leadership team

Coordinate resources across the service for the delivery of WSA interventions, including planning of service/staff time required

Working across the service, engaging with schools, colleges and other key stakeholders

To improve the lives of children and young people with mental ill health by minimising the impact of their condition through the delivery of excellent services to promote recovery and well-being.

To be compassionate in meeting the needs of children and young people and their carers.

To promote social inclusion, positive wellbeing cultures, community access and participation through the provision of whole school interventions and collaboration with stakeholders.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

• NVQ3, HNC/NND or equivalent qualification relevant to health, education or business administration
• Key skills in literacy and numeracy level 2 or O level / GCSE in Maths and English grade C or above
• Experience of working in an education setting supporting children and young people
• Evidence of continuous professional development relevant to health or education

Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook) and other applications as required
• Experience of working in partnership with schools, health and other stakeholders, across and between organisations including external partners and service users
• High quality verbal and written communication skills with ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of people
• Ability to adapt approach according to audience/stakeholder to achieve effective outcomes
• Ability to promote positive approaches to diversity providing guidance and challenge as required
• Be aware of, and work within safeguarding policies
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to motivate and negotiate effectively
• Understanding of programme / project working, principles and tools
• Experience of using audit and assessment, creating and delivering action plans
• Ability to deliver service including making decisions when dealing with constant and conflicting demands on time

Knowledge

• Knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders in children and young people, and their impact on both the client group and their families/carers
• Knowledge and understanding of education settings and systems including whole school approach
• Knowledge of the national Mental Health Support Team programme and associated drivers

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.

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust