Job summary
Please be advised, the base location of this role is subject to change within the county of Hertfordshire.
As part of Hertfordshire CAMHS transformation, our priority is simple: to increase access and availability of mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people through the implementation of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs).
Driven by this goal and in line with NHS long term plan, we have exciting new opportunities for Trainee Educational Mental Health Practitioners (EMHP). Training will be with the University of Reading (UoR) and therefore travel to Norwich will be required, and when not in University you will be in placements working predominantly in schools or from your work base.
Please note that this is an HEE funded position and to access this funding you must have not benefited from another funded position within the last two years. This role will start at Band 4 with progress to Band 5 upon completion of the course and placement.
Over the course of the training year, the post-holder will, under supervision, develop knowledge and practice skills to employ a range of evidence-based interventions for common mental health problems via direct individual and group support for children, young people and their parents, in line with the university expectations.
Main duties of the job
The Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner will:
- Work closely alongside a team of mental health professionals delivering a wide range of evidence informed interventions, under supervision.
- Develop and practice evidence-based skills under supervision to work directly with children, young people and families.
- Develop and practice evidence-based skills under supervision to carry out holistic and child-centred mental health assessments, including risk assessments.You will study alongside other trainee EMHPS at the University of Reading; and be based and work with EMHPs, Mental Health Practitioners and a Senior Clinical Practitioner to support the wellbeing and mental health needs identified schools and colleges.
- HPFT MHST trainee roles will work with Young people with mild to moderate mental health presentation attending schools in Hertfordshire county in particular St Albans and Dacorum area.
Please note that this role requires a commitment to travel in the first year and beyond.
As a Trainee EMHP you will be expected to work under supervision as part of a dynamic mental health team in a creative environment where evidence-based interventions, new ideas, ways of working and supporting children and young people are actively encouraged. This approach requires flexibility, dynamism and above all a passion for working with children and young people in educational settings.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.
Our family of over 3500 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services.
The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Our Trust values are:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it!
Would you like to be part of the HPFT family? Would you like work with us to ensure our service users live the fullest lives possible they can? Would you like to be supported in your career to be the best that you can be?
Then please read on...
Job description
Job responsibilities
The purpose of the team is to
- Provide evidence-based interventions for mild to moderate mental health issues.
- Support the mental health lead in each education setting to introduce or develop their whole school or college approach.
- Give timely advice to school and college staff, and liaising with external specialist services, to help children and young people to get the right support and stay in education. HPFT are committed to progressing and supporting their staff with career development and training, and ensuring staff health and wellbeing and job satisfaction. This post is designed to open up a new and exciting opportunity for a career in childrens and young peoples mental health in schools.
- Please note: Continued employment in this post is conditional on the successful completion of the course. The successful candidates are required to be available to commence training from January 2024. The successful candidates will be expected to attend university in Norwich with the potential for blended remote learning and travel to the University site will be required in the first year to complete their training.
Please note: If you do not hold an Honours degree or hold a degree of Third Class Honours standard or below you will be required to evidence your ability to study at Level 6 (e.g. previous successful study at level 5, or successful part completion of an Honours degree level 6, or a pre-entry essay for the University that achieves a passing standard). If completing a pre-entry essay a 4 week period for this to be completed and marked will be required before an offer of employment can be made.
Be the catalyst to inspire future generations and make a difference - join the HPFT MHSTs today!
The Programmes planned start date is September 2024, with Trust employment and induction starting September/October 2024
Job description
Job responsibilities
The purpose of the team is to
- Provide evidence-based interventions for mild to moderate mental health issues.
- Support the mental health lead in each education setting to introduce or develop their whole school or college approach.
- Give timely advice to school and college staff, and liaising with external specialist services, to help children and young people to get the right support and stay in education. HPFT are committed to progressing and supporting their staff with career development and training, and ensuring staff health and wellbeing and job satisfaction. This post is designed to open up a new and exciting opportunity for a career in childrens and young peoples mental health in schools.
- Please note: Continued employment in this post is conditional on the successful completion of the course. The successful candidates are required to be available to commence training from January 2024. The successful candidates will be expected to attend university in Norwich with the potential for blended remote learning and travel to the University site will be required in the first year to complete their training.
Please note: If you do not hold an Honours degree or hold a degree of Third Class Honours standard or below you will be required to evidence your ability to study at Level 6 (e.g. previous successful study at level 5, or successful part completion of an Honours degree level 6, or a pre-entry essay for the University that achieves a passing standard). If completing a pre-entry essay a 4 week period for this to be completed and marked will be required before an offer of employment can be made.
Be the catalyst to inspire future generations and make a difference - join the HPFT MHSTs today!
The Programmes planned start date is September 2024, with Trust employment and induction starting September/October 2024
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING
Essential
- Ability and commitment to study at degree level . ENtry levels: Graduate route (level 6) o Applicant may not hold an honours degree but must have proven successful study at level 5; or successful part completion of an Honours degree Post graduate route (level 7) o Honours Degree graded at 2.2 or above
- Proven record of previous academic attainment
- Good solid basic literacy and numeracy qualifications at a minimum of level 2
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Previous experience of working with people in a care setting (for example, private / third sector services, NHS, local authority provision)
Desirable
- Experience with working with children and young people
- Experience of working in an education setting
SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITY A/I KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Ability to learn in a variety of settings and using a variety of learning methods
- Computer literate
- Ability to study as a self-motivated learner who can formulate their own progress towards learning objectives and negotiate pathways to achievement with supervisory teams
- Knowledge of the educational system in England
- Knowledge of children and young people gained through academic study in child development, child wellbeing or mental health
- Ability to personally manage a sensitive, traumatic and potentially emotionally distressing caseload
Desirable
- ECDL or equivalent IT qualification
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Able to write clear reports and letters
- Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING
Essential
- Ability and commitment to study at degree level . ENtry levels: Graduate route (level 6) o Applicant may not hold an honours degree but must have proven successful study at level 5; or successful part completion of an Honours degree Post graduate route (level 7) o Honours Degree graded at 2.2 or above
- Proven record of previous academic attainment
- Good solid basic literacy and numeracy qualifications at a minimum of level 2
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Previous experience of working with people in a care setting (for example, private / third sector services, NHS, local authority provision)
Desirable
- Experience with working with children and young people
- Experience of working in an education setting
SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITY A/I KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Ability to learn in a variety of settings and using a variety of learning methods
- Computer literate
- Ability to study as a self-motivated learner who can formulate their own progress towards learning objectives and negotiate pathways to achievement with supervisory teams
- Knowledge of the educational system in England
- Knowledge of children and young people gained through academic study in child development, child wellbeing or mental health
- Ability to personally manage a sensitive, traumatic and potentially emotionally distressing caseload
Desirable
- ECDL or equivalent IT qualification
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Able to write clear reports and letters
- Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.