MHST Senior Practitioner for Whole School Approach
Closing date: 11 June 2026
Base location of this role is subject to change.
As part of Hertfordshire CAMHS transformation, our priority is simple: to increase access and availability of mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people. We are recruiting a Whole School Approach Senior Practitioner to cover the East Herts MHST.
Through this role, duties will include whole school approach management, delivery, and individual clinical activity.
Main duties of the job
As a Senior Practitioner, focused solely on Whole School Approach, you will be part of a dynamic mental health service in a creative environment where evidence‑based interventions and new ideas are encouraged.
You will be responsible for operationalising the delivery of Whole School Approach and evidence‑based interventions within MHSTs in schools and colleges while providing supervision for EMHPs.
* Some level of formal CBT training (e.g., CYP‑IAPT)
* Previous consolidated postgraduate experience of working with young people with emotional and mental health issues
* Have completed the HEE Postgraduate Diploma in Education Mental Health Practice (with at least 18 months post‑qualification practice)
In addition, candidates will have experience delivering evidence‑based CBT interventions for mild to moderate mental health issues such as anxiety, low mood and behavioural problems to CYP both individually and in groups.
Job responsibilities
You will work in schools across East Hertfordshire, working closely with teams to support CYP and their families to foster a whole school approach to mental well‑being, which requires a commitment to travel within Hertfordshire.
* Form strong working relations with a variety of stakeholders
* Provide consultations to education colleagues and support education settings to embed a whole school approach to well‑being
* Develop and deliver evidence‑based time‑limited interventions to young people within education settings
* Evidencing the outcomes of the MHST service
* Provide clinical supervision to Education Mental Health practitioners
It is essential to successfully complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Supervision for Children and Young Peoples Mental Health (CYPMH) course at University on a part‑time basis. Travel may be required throughout training with blended learning being a possibility to minimise travel.
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
* A professional qualification with professional registration in a relevant subject at degree level or equivalent (e.g., CBT, psychology, social work, mental health nursing)
* Relevant UK professional registration
* Documented evidence of continued professional development
* Post‑graduate training in mental health
Experience
* Significant post‑qualification experience working in a range of relevant settings
* Experience assessing people with mental health presentations
* Experience working with young people presenting with emotional/psychological difficulties and challenging behaviour
* Experience implementing safeguarding procedures for children and adults
* Experience working in a multi‑ethnic community
* Experience teaching and training in practice
* Experience of peer supervision, supervising colleagues in the multidisciplinary team and consultation in other agency settings
* Experience supporting young people in an educational setting
Knowledge
* Knowledge of legislation related to children and/or adolescents' mental health and social care (Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Child Protection and Safeguarding of Vulnerable Children, etc.)
* Knowledge of recent developments in mental health/learning disability provision for young people, including government initiatives
* Knowledge of current developments in research and its application regarding child and young people's mental well‑being
* Facilitating clinical supervision
* Ability to teach and train others using multimedia materials suitable for public, professional and academic settings
Skills and Aptitude
* Deliver care with respect, dignity, compassion and recovery focused
* Clinical skills to assess young people in a variety of settings with acute mental health presentations
* Comprehensive risk assessment skills
* Clinical skills applicable in a community or educational setting (brief therapy, cognitive therapy, anxiety management, de‑escalation)
* Confidence to work autonomously in the community and use own initiative, making decisions in complex situations
* Ability to deal sensitively with stressful situations, including staff and organisational problems, child abuse, family breakdown, mental ill health and risk of self‑harm
* Deliver a range of evidence‑based early intervention techniques for the relevant service user group
Communication Skills
* Able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing at an age‑appropriate level, including complex technical and clinically sensitive information to service users, their families, carers and professionals within and outside the NHS
* Ability to communicate sensitive information to children and/or adolescents, carers and colleagues in a way that addresses psychological resistance
* Ability to work flexibly across service boundaries
* Skills in liaising with other agencies and providing consultation to other professional and non‑professional groups
* Ability to contain and work with organisational stress and support others through it
* Respectful approach to service users, families, carers, colleagues
Analytical Skills
* Maintain high standards of record keeping, including data entry and recording
* Assess and manage risks
Diversity
* Commitment to work in ways that support equality and diversity and treat everyone with appropriate dignity and respect
Other
* Car driver (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving)
* Disclosure and Barring approval (formally CRB check)
* Able to travel independently across the Trust
* Willingness to work outside office hours when required by the role
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
£41,957 to £50,387 a year pro rata (inclusive of 5% HCAS)
#J-18808-Ljbffr