Job summary
An exciting position has arisen within our Lichfield Mental Health Support Team. We are looking for an experienced & enthusiastic Education Mental Health Practitioner.

Youwill continue to build on the fantastic work carried out within your allocated schools. The role is varied & no two days are the same, you may be setting up and delivering group work & assemblies one day to delivering assessment & interventions the next, as well assupportingschools to develop their whole school approaches to mental health & wellbeing.

You will be skilled & experienced in conducting mental health assessments of children and young people (CYP) presenting with common mental health difficulties such as anxiety and low mood. You will conduct risk assessments & identify the right level of support for CYP you come into contact with.

Alongside the clinical aspect of your role, you will play an integral part in supporting schools with their whole school approaches. There is scope for creativity and opportunities to work alongside CYP & parents/carers to drive the whole school approach agenda.

This is an opportunity to be involved in an established team within the wider CAMHS structure, as a joint initiative between health & education. You will work across the Staffordshire locality as well as supporting other MHSTs across South Staffordshire. You will work deliver parent, staff well-being, 1:1 & group work sessions.

Main duties of the job

• Assess and deliver outcome focused, evidence-based interventions in educational settings for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties, working at all times in collaboration with and giving respect to the education function of the setting in which the post-holder is deployed.
• Work in effective, evidence-based partnership with children, young people, their families and their educators in the development of plans for the intervention and agreed outcomes.
• Support and empower children, young people, their parents/carers and families and their educators to make informed choices about the interventions being offered.
• Operate at all times from an inclusive values base, which recognises and respects diversity
• Accept referrals within educational settings according to agreed local and national and local protocols
• Undertake and record accurate assessments of risk and operate clear risk management processes in line with locally agreed procedures including the safeguarding protocols of the educational setting and Local Safeguarding Board guidance
• Adhere to all regulations, processes and procedures within the educational service to which the post holder is attached within the educational setting where the post-holder working including (but not limited to) HR policies, training requirements, referral protocols, and emergency procedures. Signpost referrals of children with more complex needs to a locally identified appropriate service.

About us
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Job responsibilities
For this role you must be a qualified Education Mental Health Practitioner & have obtained the relevant EMHP Post Graduate Diploma qualification following the completion of a CYP IAPT approved training in Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment for Children & Young People (C&Y IAPT).

For further information relating to this position please refer to the attached job description and person specification.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn

Qualifcations & Training
Essential

• Successful completion of the HEE commissioned 1yr 'Education Mental Health Practitioner' course.

Desirable

• A further relevant degree qualification
• Teaching qualification.
• Youth Mental Health First Aid trained.

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working with children and young people, their families and others.
• Experience of working and liaising with a wide variety of agencies and stakeholders.
• Experience of working with children and young people who have social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.
• Experience of working with anxiety disorders.
• Experience of working with affective (mood) disorders.
• Experience of the delivery of specific therapeutic interventions to children, young people or their families (e.g. CBT, solution focused brief therapy).

Desirable

• Experience of working with children and their families in a healthcare setting.
• Experience of working with children and their families in an education setting.
• Experience of monitoring and recording outcome measures for children's emotional wellbeing.
• Experience of navigating complex social systems and environments, who may have conflicting priorities or agendas.
• Experience of working with looked after children.
• Experience of working with other vulnerable groups.

Skills
Essential

• Ability to carry out 1:1 therapeutic mental health interventions with children & families.
• Ability to conduct group parenting programmes.
• Ability to work within educational settings to increase mental health awareness within the staff group
• Ability to conduct mental health assessments of children and young people.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the functional operation of specialist CAMHS teams.

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Ability to personally manage a sensitive, traumatic and potentially emotionally distressing caseload.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Able to travel to meet the requirements of the post.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.

Desirable

• Proven commitment to continuous professional development.

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.

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