Qualified Education Mental Health Practitioner

Job summary

TheJunction is a respected charity working to make a difference to the lives ofchildren young people and their families. We are proud of our reputation andbelieve that our workers are key to establishing positive relationships,building trust, self-belief, a sense of family and belonging.

Weare looking for an enthusiastic, suitably qualified and experienced person withthe ability, commitment and passion to support children and young people torise above lifes challenges.

In line with thegovernments priority to increase access and availability of mental health andwellbeing support for children and young people, the Education Mental HealthPractitioner (EMHP) role is an exciting opportunity to deliver evidence-basedearly interventions for children and young people, working across botheducational settings and healthcare sectors in the South Tees. Successfulcandidates will be employed on a full-time basis by The Junction Foundation andbased with a trailblazer site in Middlesbrough, where the Mental Health SupportTeams.

Trailblazerin South Tees is being delivered by a consortium of partners, the majority ofwhich are from the voluntary and community sector.

Main duties of the job

To allow the postholder, with appropriate supervision,to work as an autonomous and responsible practitioner as their training afford,to engage in;

Delivering evidence-based intervention for children and young people in education setting with mild to moderate mental health problems

Helping children and young people within these settings who present with more severe problems to rapidly access more specialist services

Supporting and facilitating staff in education settings to identify and where appropriate manage issues related to mental health and wellbeing

Working with and within education environments to afford better access to specialist mental health services

To support schools in developing strategies/activities to promote emotional well-being and positive mental health.

Andto use the acquired skills, knowledge and abilities to deliver a service basedwithin education settings that builds on and reinforces, but does not replacethose initiatives that already exist within these environments.

About us

Within The Junction

There are a range of services withinThe Junction all working towards shared goals and all focused on making adifference to the lives of children, young people and their families,including

Youth Employment ServicesYoung Carers ServicesYouth ServicesChildren and Young Peoples Emotional Wellbeingand Mental Health ServicesChildren and Young Peoples Specialist TransportServices

We pride ourselves on being able toprovide multiple specialist services under one roof with each serviceinteracting together to provide the best possible seamless service to childrenand young people. We employ multi-disciplinary teams of professionals withbackgrounds in psychology, social work, counselling, youth work and youthunemployment as well as other qualified and experienced practitioners who

Understand the issues facing children and youngpeople

Have the skills to effectively support them

Can deliver outcome focused interventions

We have developed a unique servicedelivery model to ensure that clients are able to access a service thatsupports their individual needs. However, the ethos of The Junction ensures ourservices do not work in silos, although we recognise the need for serviceidentities and separate lines of accountability to stakeholders.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Duties

Assess and deliver outcome focused, evidence-based interventions in educational settings for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.

Support and empower children, young people, their parents/carers and families and their educators to make informed choices about the interventions being offered.

Operate at all times from an inclusive values base, which recognises and respects diversity.

Undertake and record accurate assessments of risk and operate clear risk management processes in line with locally agreed procedures including the safeguarding protocols of the educational setting and Local Safeguarding Board guidance.

Adhere to all regulations, processes and procedures within the educational service to which the postholder is attached within the educational setting where the post-holder is working including (but not limited to) HR policies, training requirements, referral protocols, and emergency procedures. Signpost referrals of children with more complex needs to a locally identified appropriate relevant service

Through case management, supervision and any other relevant local pathway, escalate cases where the level of need or risk is beyond the scope of practice of the postholder.

Provide a range of information and support for evidence based psychological treatments, primarily guided self-help.

Attend multi-disciplinary and multi-agency meetings relating to referrals or children and young people in treatment, where appropriate.

Keep clear, professionally coherent records of all activity in line with both health and education service protocols and use these records and outcome data to inform decision making.

Complete all requirements relating to data collection.

Work within a collaborative approach involving a range of relevant others when indicated.

Training & Supervision

Continue to apply learning gained on the training program directly to practice.

Prepare and present case load information to supervisors within the service on an agreed basis to ensure safe practice and the governance obligations of the trainee, supervisor and service are delivered. Respond to and implement supervision suggestions by supervisors in practice.

Keep all records up to date in relation to Continuous Professional Development and Accreditation / Registration.

Professional

Ensure appropriate adherence to any new recommendations or guidelines set by the relevant departments.

Ensure that confidentiality is always protected.

Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.

Monitoring, Evaluating and Developing Service Provision

Assist the line manager and colleagues in the monitoring, evaluation and development of the service with the tools and methodology provided for such.

As appropriate, contribute to the development and learning of other service providers with regards to improving outcomes for children and young people within the service.

Contribute to the setting of targets/action plans and work related to these, to assist service development.

As appropriate, assist in the development and production of resources for the benefit of children and young people.

Support children and young people to be involved as much as appropriate (according to age and understanding), with regards to involvement in the monitoring, evaluation and development of the service.

In the absence of the line manager, assist in ensuring service delivery and development is maintained to a high professional standard at all times.

Administration

Contribute to the day to day administration and running of the service, including appropriate keeping of all records relating to the users of the service, administration and finance, security and confidentiality of information/communication.

Share appropriate information with children and young people, staff and volunteers and other agencies in accordance with the rules of confidentiality and protection of data.

Work with Other Staff/Agencies

To create and maintain effective working relationships with Headteachers, Deputy Heads, SENCOs, Pastoral Teams, mental health champions and wider teaching staff by providing advice and consultative support on emotional and mental health issues, and in relation to appropriate referral pathways for children, young people and families experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.

To liaise effectively with other local providers, including statutory, voluntary sector organisation and third sector organisations on behalf of the child, young person or family.

To build effective working relationships with other local childrens mental health providers including statutory and third sector CAMHS and support the development of pathways of support.

Present the users of our service and the service overall in a positive and professional manner, not bringing the service into disrepute.

As appropriate, represent the service and provide a positive service perspective at relevant inter-agency meetings (or other forms of joint working or training).

Liaise with other staff and agencies to further meet the needs of children and young people in accordance with the service criteria, policies and procedures.

Take part in the delivery of training (as appropriate), consultation with and guidance to, others, pertaining to the level of development.

Safeguarding

Responsible for safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and young people at all times and operating within local policies and procedures.

Under guidance and support taking appropriate safeguarding action to protect children and young people at risk of significant harm.

Under guidance and supervision to identify and support families in accessing Early Help Services.

To share appropriate information with parents/carers or other agencies regarding the childs wellbeing and progress keeping within the boundaries of Confidentiality and Information Sharing protocols.

A Professional and Ethical Service; Working within The Junctions Policy Environment

Demonstrate a commitment which promotes and values diversity and the equality of opportunity, in relation to employees, workers, service users and the wider community. Challenge the use of all discriminatory language and practice and positively encourage all staff, volunteers, partners, young people and volunteers to adopt non-discriminatory practice.

Undertake all work in accordance with The Junctions polices and practice including but not withstanding Information Security, Health and Safety, Risk Management.

Positively promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and ensure that it is recognised that safeguarding is everyones responsibility.

Work and adhere to The Junctions values at all times.

To adhere to all The Junctions Policies, Procedures and Guidelines.

Other

Mapping/updating of existing local services for signposting and review/update existing service directory. Continue to welcome spotlight sessions for external providers during whole team meetings or attend their team meetings.

Engage caseload to increase effective stakeholder participation in service design and delivery and increase attendance at participation events/groups.

Regular promotion and marketing of childrens mental health, prevention and early intervention linking in with local/national campaigns

Work in partnership with The Junction Charitable Trust

Person Specification

Specific Attributes

Essential

Full, enhanced and current satisfactory DBS disclosure for the role Ability to personally manage a sensitive, traumatic and potentially emotionally distressing caseload Excellent oral and written communication skills

Desirable

Proven commitment to continuous professional development.

Experience

Essential

Experience of working with children and young people, their families and others. Experience of working and liaising with a wide variety of agencies and stakeholders Experience of working with children and young people who have social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties Experience of working with anxiety disorders Experience of working with affective (mood) disorders Experience of the delivery of specific therapeutic interventions to children, young people or their families ( CBT, solution focused brief therapy)

Desirable

Experience of working with children and their families in a healthcare setting Experience of working with children and their families in a healthcare setting Experience of working with children and their families in an education setting Experience of monitoring and recording outcome measures for childrens emotional wellbeing Experience of navigating complex social systems and environments, who may have conflicting priorities or agendas Experience of working with looked after children Experience of working with other vulnerable groups

Qualifications

Essential

Successful completion of the HEE commissioned 1yr Education Mental Health Practitioner Course Membership with accredited body and hold accreditation

Desirable

A further relevant degree qualification Teaching qualification Youth Mental Health First Aid trained Registration / Accreditation of a recognised professional body

Personal Qualities

Essential

Self-motivated Able to travel to meet the requirements of the post Team player Excellent time management and organisational skills

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Essential

Knowledge of educational environments Knowledge of safeguarding issues Knowledge of capacity and consent issues including Gillick competence Ability to carry out 1:1 therapeutic mental health interventions with children Ability to carry out 1:1 therapeutic mental health interventions with families Ability to conduct group parenting programmes Ability to work within educational settings to increase mental health awareness within the staff group Ability to conduct mental health assessments of children and young people Ability to make an assessment of risk and to record and communicate it appropriately. Ability to take appropriate action to mitigate or manage risk.

Desirable

Knowledge of the functional operation of specialist CAMHS teams Knowledge of the schools safeguarding procedures and who the Designated Safeguarding Lead, (DSL), is in each establishment that they work in. Ability to teach others about mental health issues Ability to conduct other group therapeutic interventions with children and their families

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