Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for enthusiastic and experienced clinicians to work collaboratively in a committed and forward-thinking organisation and make a tangible difference to the lives of young people and families in Leeds.
MindMate Single Point of Access (MMSPA) is managed by Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust, and receives referrals for school age children and young people who need support with their emotional wellbeing or mental health. The team comprises administrative staff and clinicians who work in partnership with a range of professionals and organisations across Leeds to ensure that all children and young people who are being referred for support can get access to the right service, first time. This innovative service allows families and young people across Leeds to get better, faster access to the care they need.
Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust have now commissioned Northpoint to recruit a number of clinicians to work as part of the multi-disciplinary team within the MindMate SPA. The roles will be line-managed by Northpoint Wellbeing’s Schools Services management team, and the postholder’s will receive day to day direction from the MindMate SPA team manager.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will act as the front-line of the service supporting the clinical triage of mental health referrals into MMSPA by providing clinical guidance, taking calls, talking to families and discussing the options of available support, providing referral information to professionals, and working within the multi-disciplinary team. The post holder will work within standard operating procedures / pathways which they have received training in order to be competent and manage their own workload independently but with reference to a supervisor within the clinical area.
There are 5 main aspects to the role:
Gathering information on the strengths, wishes, and mental health needs of children, young people & families who are referred to Mindmate SPA.
Helping to establish the most appropriate outcome for individual referrals.
Providing clinical guidance, signposting and advice.
Working within standard operating procedures and pathways to support the triage of mental health referrals to help determine the most appropriate pathway of support for that child or young person.
Offering telephone consultation and advice to families and professionals.
About us
Northpoint is a charity with a track-record of providing accessible therapeutic services to local communities. Northpoint Wellbeing has provided school-based counselling since 2009, and now works with children, young people and families by providing a school therapy service in 17 Leeds clusters of schools across the city as part of the Leeds Mindmate Wellbeing Contract. We are also providing therapeutic support to schools in York, Doncaster & Harrogate.
Please note interviews will be held via Zoom on Wednesday 9th February.
Job description
Job responsibilities
There are 5 main aspects to the role:
Gathering information on the strengths, wishes, and mental health needs of children, young people & families who are referred to Mindmate SPA.
Helping to establish the most appropriate outcome for individual referrals.
Providing clinical guidance, signposting and advice.
Working within standard operating procedures and pathways to support the triage of mental health referrals to help determine the most appropriate pathway of support for that child or young person.
Offering telephone consultation and advice to families and professionals.
Full Duties:
Prioritise their own workload, and that of the wider team, within agreed objectives deciding when to refer to others as appropriate.
Being involved in a multi-agency approach to referrals received into Mindmate SPA
The post holder will be able to make judgement involving facts or situation which may require analysis e.g. making clinical decisions related to specific pathway of care.
Responding to incoming telephone calls/emails/letters where appropriate and gathering information to inform decisions and clinical thinking about such referrals.
Able to identify clinical risk or changes in condition and is responsible for taking action; advises supervising professional and accurately record all interventions
Liaison and information gathering from schools and other professionals to support the triage of mental health referrals.
With a developed understanding of local services, assist the triage team to establish the most appropriate support and support onward referrals into specific CAMHS pathways
Act as a first point of contact for queries in relation to mental health referrals from professionals and families, responding to these in a clinically appropriate and professional manner, escalating to senior members of the team where required
Provides and receives routine or sometimes complex information using persuasion, reassurance, tact and empathy and addressing barriers to understanding in order to engage the individual in their care and gain valid consent for care; record discussions in an accurate and timely manner in the individual’s patient record
Approaches each individual with care, compassion and sensitivity ensuring that these values are reflected in all aspects of their role
Engages and actively involves the individual and, if appropriate, their family/carer, in the triage of their referral by using person-centred techniques to promote a culture of self-care, involvement and empowerment
Communicate referral decisions in a clear, accessible and helpful manner by phone and/or in writing.
Offer consultation and advice to professionals as and when appropriate
Manage own workload independently to carry out identified tasks within the triage process to help determine the most suitable option of support.
Keep clear records of information gathered, next steps, and decisions made.
To hold a strong understanding of other available services and criteria along with the ability to hold professional discussions about referrals
Develop a good knowledge base of on-line resources, apps, and websites.
Act as an advocate for patients and their families/carer, recognising the boundaries of their clinical knowledge; liaising and referring on to other agencies as required
Record patient related information onto an electronic patient management system (Mosaic) in a timely and accurate fashion in line with information governance protocols.
This job description does not provide an exhaustive list of duties and may be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder in light of service development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
There are 5 main aspects to the role:
Gathering information on the strengths, wishes, and mental health needs of children, young people & families who are referred to Mindmate SPA.
Helping to establish the most appropriate outcome for individual referrals.
Providing clinical guidance, signposting and advice.
Working within standard operating procedures and pathways to support the triage of mental health referrals to help determine the most appropriate pathway of support for that child or young person.
Offering telephone consultation and advice to families and professionals.
Full Duties:
Prioritise their own workload, and that of the wider team, within agreed objectives deciding when to refer to others as appropriate.
Being involved in a multi-agency approach to referrals received into Mindmate SPA
The post holder will be able to make judgement involving facts or situation which may require analysis e.g. making clinical decisions related to specific pathway of care.
Responding to incoming telephone calls/emails/letters where appropriate and gathering information to inform decisions and clinical thinking about such referrals.
Able to identify clinical risk or changes in condition and is responsible for taking action; advises supervising professional and accurately record all interventions
Liaison and information gathering from schools and other professionals to support the triage of mental health referrals.
With a developed understanding of local services, assist the triage team to establish the most appropriate support and support onward referrals into specific CAMHS pathways
Act as a first point of contact for queries in relation to mental health referrals from professionals and families, responding to these in a clinically appropriate and professional manner, escalating to senior members of the team where required
Provides and receives routine or sometimes complex information using persuasion, reassurance, tact and empathy and addressing barriers to understanding in order to engage the individual in their care and gain valid consent for care; record discussions in an accurate and timely manner in the individual’s patient record
Approaches each individual with care, compassion and sensitivity ensuring that these values are reflected in all aspects of their role
Engages and actively involves the individual and, if appropriate, their family/carer, in the triage of their referral by using person-centred techniques to promote a culture of self-care, involvement and empowerment
Communicate referral decisions in a clear, accessible and helpful manner by phone and/or in writing.
Offer consultation and advice to professionals as and when appropriate
Manage own workload independently to carry out identified tasks within the triage process to help determine the most suitable option of support.
Keep clear records of information gathered, next steps, and decisions made.
To hold a strong understanding of other available services and criteria along with the ability to hold professional discussions about referrals
Develop a good knowledge base of on-line resources, apps, and websites.
Act as an advocate for patients and their families/carer, recognising the boundaries of their clinical knowledge; liaising and referring on to other agencies as required
Record patient related information onto an electronic patient management system (Mosaic) in a timely and accurate fashion in line with information governance protocols.
This job description does not provide an exhaustive list of duties and may be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder in light of service development.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A relevant professional qualification OR a relevant therapeutic qualification.
- A relevant professional qualification would include nursing, occupational therapy, social work, or a similar allied health profession.
- A relevant therapy qualification would include a diploma from a BACP accredited training (or equivalent) or a relevant HCPC registered title i.e. art therapist, arts psychotherapist, drama therapist, counselling psychologist, clinical psychologist).
Desirable
- Post registration training in relevant evidence based/NICE guideline indicated mental health interventions, e.g. CBT, brief family work, group work.
Professional Registration / Membership
Essential
- The relevant qualifications, experience and willingness to achieve registration/membership with a relevant professional body within 12 months.
Desirable
- Registration/membership with a relevant professional body (e.g. NMC registered, GSCC registered, HPC registered, BACP membership, UKCP registered, HPC registered) or Accreditation with a professional body (e.g. BACP accredited).
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a CAMHS setting or equivalent service working therapeutically with children & young people.
- A minimum of 1 years post qualification experience of working with children and young people with emotional/behavioural issues.
- Experience of working collaboratively with children and young people across different age groups with a range of presenting mental health difficulties.
- Experience in the delivery of short term supportive approaches, e.g. CBT, brief solution focused therapy, family work, creative/play interventions etc.
- Experience of demonstrating outcomes in client work, and in using monitoring, evaluation, and wellbeing measurement systems (e.g. Goodmans SDQ).
- Experience in carrying out comprehensive mental health assessments including assessment of risk, analysis of strengths and protective factors.
- Experience in assessing child protection concerns and the ability to act on these in accordance with relevant safeguarding procedures.
Desirable
- Experience of delivering training.
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Ability to provide advice, guidance and consultation to parents/carers and professionals on matters of childrens mental health and emotional wellbeing.
- Ability to work positively and inclusively with families while retaining the confidentiality and privacy of young people.
- Ability to participate in a multi-agency approach around matters of importance to childrens wellbeing (e.g. NHS, Social Services and other universal services).
- Ability to write positive and professional reports and letters (e.g. referral letters, discharge summaries).
- Able to deal with calls from young people, parents/carers and professionals which may involve emotional or distressing content.
- Able to build and maintain relationships with others both internal and external to the organisation whilst maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
- Ability to plan and organise workload in line with targets and pressures.
- Able to work according to organisational policies and procedures.
- Actively committed to personal & professional development.
- IT skills i.e. able to use Microsoft Office packages including Word and Outlook and video conferencing such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
- Ability to use IT based case management systems and databases.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including communicating clearly and concisely at all levels (both orally and in writing).
Desirable
- Fluent in languages other than English.
Knowledge and Understanding
Essential
- Knowledge of initiatives, priorities and agendas facing staff working in schools & childrens services, such as Early Help, Children & Young Peoples Plan, Child Protection Plan etc.
- Understanding of the principles of confidentiality, data protection, consent, information sharing and safeguarding policies.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the Leeds area and local services including CAMHS, children & family services, and other relevant agencies.
Qualities and Values
Essential
- An understanding of, and sensitivity towards, mental health issues.
- Evidence of a positive and proactive attitude, motivated and solution-focused.
- Commitment to the principles of inclusivity, equality and diversity, demonstrated in practice.
- Demonstrates values consistent with those of Northpoint.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A relevant professional qualification OR a relevant therapeutic qualification.
- A relevant professional qualification would include nursing, occupational therapy, social work, or a similar allied health profession.
- A relevant therapy qualification would include a diploma from a BACP accredited training (or equivalent) or a relevant HCPC registered title i.e. art therapist, arts psychotherapist, drama therapist, counselling psychologist, clinical psychologist).
Desirable
- Post registration training in relevant evidence based/NICE guideline indicated mental health interventions, e.g. CBT, brief family work, group work.
Professional Registration / Membership
Essential
- The relevant qualifications, experience and willingness to achieve registration/membership with a relevant professional body within 12 months.
Desirable
- Registration/membership with a relevant professional body (e.g. NMC registered, GSCC registered, HPC registered, BACP membership, UKCP registered, HPC registered) or Accreditation with a professional body (e.g. BACP accredited).
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a CAMHS setting or equivalent service working therapeutically with children & young people.
- A minimum of 1 years post qualification experience of working with children and young people with emotional/behavioural issues.
- Experience of working collaboratively with children and young people across different age groups with a range of presenting mental health difficulties.
- Experience in the delivery of short term supportive approaches, e.g. CBT, brief solution focused therapy, family work, creative/play interventions etc.
- Experience of demonstrating outcomes in client work, and in using monitoring, evaluation, and wellbeing measurement systems (e.g. Goodmans SDQ).
- Experience in carrying out comprehensive mental health assessments including assessment of risk, analysis of strengths and protective factors.
- Experience in assessing child protection concerns and the ability to act on these in accordance with relevant safeguarding procedures.
Desirable
- Experience of delivering training.
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Ability to provide advice, guidance and consultation to parents/carers and professionals on matters of childrens mental health and emotional wellbeing.
- Ability to work positively and inclusively with families while retaining the confidentiality and privacy of young people.
- Ability to participate in a multi-agency approach around matters of importance to childrens wellbeing (e.g. NHS, Social Services and other universal services).
- Ability to write positive and professional reports and letters (e.g. referral letters, discharge summaries).
- Able to deal with calls from young people, parents/carers and professionals which may involve emotional or distressing content.
- Able to build and maintain relationships with others both internal and external to the organisation whilst maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
- Ability to plan and organise workload in line with targets and pressures.
- Able to work according to organisational policies and procedures.
- Actively committed to personal & professional development.
- IT skills i.e. able to use Microsoft Office packages including Word and Outlook and video conferencing such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
- Ability to use IT based case management systems and databases.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including communicating clearly and concisely at all levels (both orally and in writing).
Desirable
- Fluent in languages other than English.
Knowledge and Understanding
Essential
- Knowledge of initiatives, priorities and agendas facing staff working in schools & childrens services, such as Early Help, Children & Young Peoples Plan, Child Protection Plan etc.
- Understanding of the principles of confidentiality, data protection, consent, information sharing and safeguarding policies.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the Leeds area and local services including CAMHS, children & family services, and other relevant agencies.
Qualities and Values
Essential
- An understanding of, and sensitivity towards, mental health issues.
- Evidence of a positive and proactive attitude, motivated and solution-focused.
- Commitment to the principles of inclusivity, equality and diversity, demonstrated in practice.
- Demonstrates values consistent with those of Northpoint.
Additional information
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
