Our Mental Health Support Team (MHST) in Somerset are looking for Senior Mental Health Practitioners (SMHP's) to help us whilst working with schools across the County to increase access to early intervention mental health and well-being support for children, young people and families.

MHST in Somerset is a collaboration between Somerset Foundation Trust (NHS) and Young Somerset, working along side Education settings and Public Health.

This is a post with the chance for in introduction and start to working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Our MHST is part of the Early Interventions team with in CAMHS in Somerset. We are primarily schools based but are also very closely linked to a number of CAMHS teams right across Somerset This gives opportunities for a supportive learning experience across a range of different environments, including within these wider teams, completing shadowing and joint work to also build experience and skills both within and outside of the MHST.

We are also very pleased to be able to offer you the opportunity to gain a postgraduate level qualification as part of this role, in the form of aPG cert at the University of Exeter in Low Intensity Psychological Interventions (CBT) Supervision.

Main duties of the job

As a valued member of the Mental Health in Schools Team (MHST) you'll provide brief therapeutic interventions, as well as psychoeducation, support and advice for young people and their families referred into the service. You'll have the opportunity to work within a range of settings including primary, secondary and specialist schools with work being carried out as a mix of face to face and virtual.

The team is very much attuned to the needs and strengths of the schools and their staff. By providing support and advice on child and adolescent mental health matters to the education system and schools, we can empower educators to better support children and young people with their mental health.

If, like us, you believe that early intervention is essential for children and young people to lead happy and fulfilling lives, please apply to join our team, or contact us if you would like more information.

About us

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust endeavours to provide development opportunities for those looking to develop a career in the NHS, in both clinical and non-clinical roles.

We have six active and impactful colleague networks. These networks provide a safe space for colleagues to share their experiences and learn from one another, but also influence change across our trust:

• Multicultural Network
• Women's Network
• Armed Forces' Network
• LGBTQ+ Network
• Lived Experience Network, for colleagues living with disabilities
• Autistic Colleague Network

As an organisationthe NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS Discounts.

Job description Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

Acting as a point of contact for patients, carers and referrers and discussing potential referrals with them.

Referring on elsewhere cases which are better dealt with in other settings.

Conducting detailed screening by phone or in person as per protocols in order to obtain the most pertinent information so as to determine how referred cases should be dealt with.

Underpinning this activity by creating an information base of local and national resources, in conjunction with colleagues, and passing on this information to referrers, patients and carers as appropriate/necessary.

Network and build informal and professional links for MHST across the locality, to maximize user choice, good communication and service coordination.

Liaise closely with relevant professionals involved with particularly vulnerable groups, for example, Looked after Childrens Nurse in relation to Looked After Children.

Liaise closely with colleagues in primary and secondary level care teams to provide timely, accurate and effective pathways to care, supporting non-specialist colleagues in carrying out direct work themselves wherever this is appropriate.

Deliver short term /solution focused interventions to children, young people, and families.

To carry out joint and individual assessments of children and families who are referred.

To decide on appropriate course of action with the children and families, and involved professionals.

To devise treatment plans with MHST colleagues and assist them to carry these through.

To evaluate reassess and redefine treatment plans with MHST/Education staff as necessary.

SEE JD FOR FULL DETAILS

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Qualification in nursing, social work, occupational or family therapy, child psychology, or equivalent field.
• Evidence of previous and ongoing commitment to continuous professional development.

Desirable

• Qualification in CBT/ Counselling / psychotherapy / behaviour modification / social skills or group therapy

Knowledge Essential

• Knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders in children and young people, and their impact on both the client group and their families/carers.
• Knowledge of a wide range of evidence-based treatment/therapeutic interventions.

Desirable

• Awareness of early intervention services locally

Experience Essential

• Previous experience in a children's service which preferably includes liaising and advice giving to referrers and clients at the point of entry to a service.

Desirable

• Experience and/or qualifications in one or more of the following areas would be desirable: Cognitive Therapy/Counselling/Psychotherapy; Behaviour Modification; Social Skills or Group Therapy; Family Therapy.

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

184-CW5069094-A