MHST Specialist - MIAT

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Department for Education guidance Arranging education for children who cannot attend school because of health needs citing that each local authority must have a provision in place to support children who are unable to access education as a result of health needs including mental health.

As part of the local authorities response, the MHST Attendance Specialist, under the leadership of the MHST Management Team, will play a crucial role in supporting schools within Nottingham City by providing intensive support, training, and coaching aimed at improving attendance and reducing persistent and severe absence rates. This role involves assisting school leaders in developing and maintaining a positive attendance culture, identifying early signs of attendance issues, and supporting and challenging pupils and their parents to unlock their academic and social potential. The specialist will oversee bespoke interventions to address environmental barriers affecting attendance, incorporating low-intensity CBT-informed approaches for mental health concerns, and provide clinical and case management supervision to team members. Additionally, the specialist will collaborate with school attendance teams, leaders, and officers to enhance attendance levels, maintain effective communication with stakeholders, and ensure compliance with statutory and Trust frameworks through a solution-focused approach. The role also requires proactive early intervention, engagement with families, and flexibility to travel across various schools and education providers as needed.

The post holder will specialise in the delivery of a collaborative intervention for schools, children and families, focusing on the impact of child and adolescent mental health on school attendance.

The MHST Attendance Specialist will provide and oversee bespoke interventions, delivered by MHST Attendance Practitioners to address environmental barriers affecting school attendance, incorporating low-intensity CBT-informed approaches for mental health concerns. The role also includes, providing clinical and case management supervision to team members using family support and cognitive behavioural-informed interventions.

The MHST Attendance Specialist will collaborate with school Attendance Teams, school leaders, and school attendance officers to swiftly enhance pupil attendance levels and reduce persistent and severe absences that are linked to Mental Health. As well as oversee the adaptable implementation of school Attendance and Punctuality Policies. Multi Agency working is a core component of the role, requiring collaboration with schools Attendance and Safeguarding Teams to implement student and family engagement strategies

The post holder will adopt a solution-focused approach to creatively eliminate attendance barriers and utilise coaching skills to imbed this culture amongst the MHST Attendance team. They will also maintain effective communication with stakeholders, school leaders, local authorities, and the Star Central Attendance Team.

An effective specialist shall provide clear guidance on promoting and achieving high levels of pupil attendance and punctuality in designated schools whilst working proactively to offer early intervention before attendance issues becoming entrenched.

The MHST Specialist shall encourage, empower, and motivate families to engage and overcome barriers to positive attendance patterns, whilst supporting the mission, vision, and values of the MHST Attendance Team.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• -Relevant degree in nursing, social care or psychology or equivalent
• -CBT certification, accredited by BABCP British Association of Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapy
• -Training in provision of CBT Supervision is desirable
• -Training in the supervision of Children and Young Peoples Improving Access to Psychological Therapies is desirable

Experience

Essential

• -Experience of working with families to improve attendance and educational outcomes including vulnerable families in challenging circumstances.
• -Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
• -Up to date knowledge of attendance management, DfE guidance and initiatives surrounding improving attendance.
• -A profound understanding of the elements which comprise effective attendance management.
• -Knowledge and understanding of young people with SEND.
• -Understanding of the barriers to learning and attending school faced by children and young people and how they can be overcome.
• -Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and or clinically sensitive information to families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside Nottingham City Council
• -Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BABCP
• -Knowledge of child related legislation setting or Child Mental Health related field.
• -Experience of providing clinical supervision
• -Ability to undertake risk assessments and work with risk on a daily basis seeking appropriate support and supervision.
• -Knowledge of CYP IAPT

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Nottingham City Council

Address

Nottingham City Council

Southglade Road

Nottingham

NG5 5GU

Employer's website

http://emss.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)