Job summary
Alliance is a leading local provider of children's mental health and emotional wellbeing services. We deliver support across educational settings through a whole-school approach, evidence based psychological interventions, and collaborative system working. Our services operate within the CYP APT principles and evidence based psychological interventions, and collaborative system working. Our services operate within the CYP APT principles and an IThrive framework.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will provide operational, clinical and strategic leadership to Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) across Stockton and Hartlepool, ensuring services are safe, effective, outcome focused, and aligned with national frameworks. You will lead a growing skilled and multidisciplinary workforce, supporting high quality psychological interventions, and manage Lead Clinicians within an established leadership structure.
Key dates:
Closing date: 1 March 2026
Interviews : 9 March 2026 (in person at Billingham)
Job description
Leadership & Management
* Lead and manage a multidisciplinary MHST workforce (e.g. EMHPs, Senior Practitioners, administrators).
* Develop a positive, inclusive, learning focussed team culture that prioritises wellbeing and reflective practice.
* Oversee recruitment, induction, performance management, supervision and staff development.
* Ensure effective clinical, managerial and safeguarding supervision arrangements.
* Embed service delivery within the IThrive model, building strong relationships with schools, health, social care and voluntary sector partners.
* Lead operational planning and ensure team commitment to service goals.
* Monitor compliance with \"Delivering With, Delivering Well\" standards.
* Support the Service Manager in meeting contract requirements and supporting Senior Mental Health Leads in education settings.
* Ensure robust performance monitoring, reporting and quality governance across the locality.
* Promote an organisational culture grounded in equality, diversity, inclusion and staff wellbeing.
Clinical & Operational Responsibilities
* Ensure delivery of evidence based early intervention and low intensity interventions in line with MHST operational and CYP APT frameworks.
* Maintain high standards of clinical governance, safeguarding, risk management and information governance.
* Monitor and respond to incidents, complaints and risks, embedding learning across the service.
* Lead and contribute to audits, evaluations and continuous quality improvement.
* Ensure pathways are developed, maintained and reviewed with Lead Clinicians and the Service Manager.
* Oversee and support effective management of clinical risk and safeguarding.
* Manage feedback and complaints processes, ensuring responses inform service development.
* Support waiting list management and maintain a clear clinical supervision plan for the team.
* Lead engagement with the MHST self assessment process and implement resulting improvement plans.
Ensure practice across all three MHST core functions:
* Direct evidence based work with children and young people
* Whole school/college approach to mental health
* Professional consultation and support for access to specialist services
3. Partnership & System Working
* Act as a key liaison between education settings, NHS partners, local authorities and the voluntary sector.
* Build and maintain strong relationships with schools and colleges.
* Represent the MHST at relevant governance groups and system meetings.
* Support the development of whole school mental health policies and mental health lead roles.
4. Outcomes, Data & Reporting
* Ensure accurate data collection and use of routine outcome measures (e.g. CYP APT).
* Use data to monitor performance, evaluate impact, and inform service development.
* Support reporting processes to commissioners and stakeholders.
* Embed an outcomes informed, person centred approach within the team.
5. General Responsibilities
* Model Alliance values in all aspects of work.
* Ensure compliance with contract requirements around data collection and recordkeeping.
* Commit to mandatory training and ongoing professional development.
* Participate in appraisal, supervision and performance review.
* Undertake additional duties as reasonably required by the Service Manager.