Job overview
Hounslow CAMHS Mental Health Support Team (MHST) is seeking to recruit a Mental Health Practitioner to work within our schools-based early intervention mental health team for a fixed term 12 months contract. We support children/young people (CYP) with mild-to-moderate low mood, anxiety and behaviours that challenge within mainstream school settings. We offer a range of interventions and work in creative ways to support our mainstream schools to implement a Whole School Approach to mental health.
We are seeking enthusiastic applicants who have an interest in working with CYP within educational settings, who are flexible and creative and interested in service development and improvement. You will be joining a welcoming schools based Mental Health Team in Hounslow, West London NHS Trust who are committed to service improvement, staff well-being, and who value diversity and inclusion in our workforce.
Main duties of the job
This role involves embedding the Whole School Approach (WSA); through co-facilitating workshops for parents and staff, delivering targeted and universal groups to primary and secondary school pupils and providing evidence-based interventions to address mental health needs. There is also an expectation to support with service evaluations and audits of the interventions offered within the team, and preparation of data for quarterly data submissions. There are ample opportunities to work on service development within the team, supporting the roll out of new approaches, and monitoring impact.
The post holders will receive regular supervision within the team who will ensure adherence to professional guidelines and the overall framework of the team’s policies and procedures.
Working for our organisation
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ 4,500 staff, of whom 56% are BME. Our turnover for 2023-24 is £426m.
The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Registered on the NMC register, parts RN3, RNMH or RN4
2. Accreditation from a nationally recognised body
3. Mentorship/ teaching and assessing qualification
Desirable criteria
4. First or higher degree in appropriate subject area
5. Post registration training in CAMHS
6. Evidence of accredited courses in child and adolescent mental health practice
Experience
Essential criteria
7. Demonstrable post registration experience in mental health
8. Experience of assessment and working therapeutically with children, young people and their families within a mental health setting
9. Experience of working in a number of ways i.e. assertive outreach, clinic-based settings, home, school or other appropriate environments
10. Experience of using therapeutic skills, such as CBT, Solution Focused Therapy, Family Work
11. Experience of interagency and multidisciplinary working
12. Experience of assessing risk and formulating safe and effective risk management plans
13. Experience of teaching other professionals
Desirable criteria
14. Experience of management of child protection emergencies
15. Experience of therapeutic work with children and families where abuse or neglect has occurred
16. Experience of audit and/or research
17. Experience of contributing to and implementing new service developments
Knowledge
Essential criteria
18. Evidence of on-going professional development
19. Excellent communication skills
20. The ability to present and communicate complex information
21. A thorough understanding of the mental health needs of children and young people
22. Ability to communicate and relate well to children, young people parents and carers
23. Knowledge of relevant legislation guidance and good practice
24. Knowledge and understanding of child development
25. An understanding of local and national issues relating to children’s development and mental health
26. Understanding of the dynamics of multi-disciplinary and multi-agency team working
27. Understanding of the value of service user involvement and participation in all aspects of care and in the planning and the development of services
28. A good understanding of and ability to uses clinical supervision and reflective practice
29. Ability to identify and manage risk effectively
30. Skills and sensitivity in working with difficult to engage children, young people and families