Senior Mental Health Practitioner - South-East MHST

Job Summary

Joining NELFT means you become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We provide community and mental health care services to adults and children and are on a journey towards an Outstanding CQC rating. NELFT is the largest provider of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in England, covering 144 schools across Southend, Essex and Thurrock, serving 48% of local secondary and primary schools.

The MHST delivers evidence‑based individual and group interventions for children aged 4‑18 with mild to moderate mental health difficulties, working in partnership with school counsellors, nurses, educational psychologists and the voluntary sector.

• Date posted: 19 January 2026
• Band: 6
• Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 per annum
• Contract:
  
  Permanent
• Working pattern:
  Full‑time, Part‑time, Job share, Flexible working
• Job location:
  
  Skyline Plaza, 45 Victoria Avenue, Southend on Sea, SS2 6BB

• Deliver interventions within the MHST in and around schools and colleges, receiving clinical supervision.
• Act autonomously as a registered practitioner, accountable for unsupervised actions under professional code of conduct and Trust protocols.
• Initiate referrals to specialist health services and agencies.
• Provide expert emotional wellbeing and mental health support as part of the NHS Long‑Term Plan.
• Conduct school‑based and community‑based assessments, risk assessments, care plans and early interventions for CYP with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
• Ensure service delivery follows NICE‑compliant pathways and the crisis care concordat leadership, initiative, creativity and motivation within the MHST.
• Measure clinical outcomes routinely and deliver evidence‑based interventions.
• Communicate complex patient‑related information to facilitate positive outcomes and collaborative working.
• Support peers and the team leader, working independently while promoting collaborative practice across health and social care agencies.

• Graduate‑qualified healthcare professional (e.g., nurse, social worker, occupational therapist) or completed an Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP)/Children Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP) qualification.
• Fully registered with the relevant professional or regulatory body (HCPC, NMC, BPS, BABCP).
• Extensive clinical experience working with Children and Young People (CYP) with emotional wellbeing and mental health difficulties.
• High level knowledge of psychological intervention theory and practice, including low‑intensity CBT interventions.
• Ability to travel efficiently across the South‑East Essex area.
• Appropriate qualification for a senior CYP MHS clinician: currently undertaking or completed the CYP PT CBT or SFP course; OR qualified and registered RMN/RGN, Health Visitor with at least PgDip level training/experience in evidence‑based psychological interventions.
• Experience delivering CBT or systemically‑informed therapeutic interventions to children, young people or families, including as a trainee.
• Experience working with moderate presentations and neurodivergence.
• Experience delivering CBT‑informed supervision, supervising CYP MHS clinicians and trainees.
• Desirable: 2 years post‑qualification experience in children's mental health services.

Applications from job seekers requiring skilled worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered. Eligibility is subject to the UKVI points‑based system; the High‑Cost Area Supplement is not included in salary calculations for sponsorship.

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
Skyline Plaza
45 Victoria Avenue
Southend on Sea
SS2 6BB

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