Job summary
As Team Leader of the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) in schools, you will provide day‑to‑day leadership to a skilled team, support practitioners in delivering safe, effective interventions, and shape how we collaborate with schools and partners to meet local needs. You will guide clinical decision‑making, oversee risk management, embed inclusive evidence‑based practice and mentor and develop staff.
Main duties of the job
* Provide day‑to‑day leadership to a team of mental health practitioners in schools.
* Support practitioners to deliver safe, effective interventions, including CBT, and to maintain professional standards.
* Guide clinical decision‑making, overseeing risk and safeguarding.
* Embed inclusive, evidence‑based practice across the service.
* Mentor, develop and champion staff, promoting a values‑driven culture.
* Collaborate with schools and partners to meet local needs and improve service delivery.
* Use data, systems and digital tools to monitor performance and drive improvement.
* Plan workload, manage priorities and ensure efficient use of resources.
Qualifications – Essential
* Recognised qualification in social work, nursing, psychology or an equivalent field.
* Registration with a relevant professional body such as NMC or HCPC.
* Supervision qualification or willingness to complete one.
* Experience delivering CBT to children and young people with complex needs.
* Experience leading or managing teams in a multi‑agency setting.
* Strong understanding of safeguarding, risk management and mental health legislation.
* Excellent communication, planning and workload management skills.
* Analytical skills – confident using data, systems and digital tools to improve services.
Qualifications – Desirable
* BABCP accreditation.
* Accreditation in evidence‑based psychological treatment.
* Experience supporting inclusive practice and service improvement.
* Leadership or management qualification (Level 3 or above).
* Mentorship qualification or equivalent.
Experience – Essential
* Team management or leadership experience.
* Knowledge and delivery of CBT and evidence‑based therapies.
* Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams in community settings, including CAMHS.
* Experience with children and young people with mild to moderate complex mental health needs.
* Knowledge of current legislation and safeguarding requirements.
* Proficiency in case management, independent decision‑making and communication.
Experience – Desirable
* Experience with looked‑after children and educational settings.
* Experience delivering CBT‑informed supervision.
* Research, audit and service development experience.
* Working in partnership with schools, PRUs, Special schools, FE colleges or statutory services.
Additional criteria – Essential
* Leadership and delegation skills, including supervision and escalation of risk.
* Plan workload, manage priority and work under pressure.
* Data analysis and statistical skill for target attainment.
* Therapeutic skill with CYP with complex needs and ability to establish effective relationships with CYPF.
* Self‑reflective practice and ability to provide supervision.
* IT literacy, multi‑agency working and innovative practice.
* Visceral ability to influence others and manage change.
* Positive, flexible, solution‑focused and tenacious attitude.
* Access to own transport or ability to commute between venues.
* Ongoing commitment to maintain registration in core profession.
Benefits
* 27 days holiday + bank holidays (up to 32 days over time pro‑rata).
* Life assurance worth 2 × basic salary.
* Competitive contributory pension scheme.
* 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and occupational health service.
* Enhanced sick pay.
* Excellent learning & development opportunities and career progression.
* Annual salary review.
About us
Compass is a national charity committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. With over 30 years of experience, we deliver a range of services across the UK, including substance misuse treatment, early intervention, health programmes and prevention initiatives.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We positively encourage applications from all members of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age or sexual orientation, and we welcome people whose life experiences enrich skills and empathy. All Compass posts are subject to appropriate level DBS checks.
Disclosures
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. Candidates will be required to submit a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
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