At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide therapeutic support to children and young people in schools, enhancing their mental wellbeing.
- Company: Join Barnardo's, a leading charity dedicated to improving children's mental health.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and training.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that transforms lives and promotes positive mental health in schools.
- Qualifications: Experience in child mental health and evidence-based therapies required.
The predicted salary is between 37338 - 44962 £ per year.
An opportunity has arisen for a senior supervising practitioner to join the Moving Mindsets Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) in South Cumbria. We wish to employ people who enjoy working therapeutically with children and young people in schools, and who want to make a difference to their emotional and mental wellbeing.
We're seeking a practitioner who has direct experience of working with evidence-based therapies in child mental health. The role involves providing therapeutic support to children, young people and their parent-carers and working in partnership with education settings. It also involves providing supervision to a small number of Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) who work in the service.
The practitioner in this role will work in schools across South Lakes and the Furness areas covering Barrow, Millom, and Dalton.
Role Summary
We're seeking an experienced mental health practitioner to work collaboratively with education settings, with children, young people and their families and the care community that support them. The post-holder will undertake direct clinical work under supervision across a range of education settings to deliver high-quality, evidence-based early interventions for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health needs.
Senior Practitioners play a key role as members of the Mental Health Support Teams, supporting safe and effective practice, and enabling a whole school & college approach to promote positive mental health and wellbeing. They work collaboratively with schools, families and partner agencies to ensure that children and young people receive the right support at the right time.
The post holder will provide clinical skills and/or clinical case management supervision for a small number of Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHP's) working in the service. They will be required to attend supervisor training to enable their ability to work as EMHP supervisors (if not already completed). They will need to be either already qualified in a higher-level evidence-based therapy or will be required to attend relevant therapeutic training for the role.
Principal Accountabilities
- Consultation with Education (providing advice, guidance and joint planning to support early intervention)
- Assessment and Formulation with Children and Young People (including risk-informed formulation and intervention planning)
- Evidence Based Therapy (delivering outcome-focused interventions within MHST remit)
- Working with Parents and Carers (supporting engagement, psychoeducation and collaborative care planning)
- Linking with Specialist Services (supporting smooth pathways and escalation where thresholds are met)
- Clinical Skills and Clinical Case Management Supervision (supporting EMHPs with formulation, outcomes review, and appropriate escalation of risk/complexity)
- Whole School Approach (supporting wellbeing planning, staff training/psychoeducation and prevention activity)
Qualifications and Training
Essential Criteria
- Graduate qualification in an evidence-based therapy e.g. senior wellbeing practitioner, cognitive behaviour therapy, education mental health practitioner - or ability to attend identified training once in employment
- Appropriate and valid UK professional registration with BABCP or British Psychological Society (with accreditation where appropriate)
- Clinical supervision training/qualification (e.g. CYP IAPT Supervision Skills) or ability to attend identified training once in employment
- Minimum of 24 months post qualification experience working with children's mental health
Desirable Criteria
- Relevant core professional qualification (minimum Diploma / Degree) e.g. mental health nursing, social work, occupational therapy, psychology (health or education), teaching
- Appropriate and valid UK professional registration e.g. social work, nursing, occupational health, psychology, teaching
- Experience of working in child mental health services and/or education
Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) are a national programme jointly delivered with the Department for Education and NHS England. The programme has three core functions:
- Delivering evidence-based interventions for children and young people with mild to moderate mental health needs
- Supporting the senior mental health lead in each education setting to introduce or develop their whole school/college approach
- Giving 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
MHST's support the promotion of wellbeing and good mental health with particular focus on early intervention.
Senior Practitioner (23068) in Barrow in Furness employer: BARNARDOS
Barnardo's is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in South Cumbria. With opportunities for professional growth through training and supervision, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in their communities while enjoying the benefits of working within a dedicated team in a beautiful location. The organisation values its staff, providing a nurturing environment where practitioners can thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner (23068) in Barrow in Furness
✨Connect Through Professional Networks
Join associations related to therapy and counselling, like the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). They often have job boards, events, and forums where you can meet potential employers and like-minded professionals. Being active in these spaces can give you a significant edge.
✨Show Up at Local Mental Health Events
Look for workshops, seminars, and conferences focused on mental health in your area. Not only can you learn valuable insights, but you can also network with professionals who might be aware of full-time opportunities, like the ones at BARNARDOS. Plus, showing your passion for the field in person can leave a lasting impression.
✨Utilise Online Platforms Tailored to Counselling
Websites like TherapyJobs or Indeed specifically cater to therapy professionals. Make sure to check these regularly for new listings, and consider setting up alerts to stay ahead of the game. Plus, applying directly through these platforms can sometimes give you better visibility.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you’re recently graduated or still in school, don't forget to tap into your university's career resources. They often have exclusive listings for full-time positions and can help you refine your interview skills. Plus, they might connect you with alumni who’re already working at places like BARNARDOS.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner (23068) in Barrow in Furness
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Qualifications:Make sure to showcase any relevant qualifications you've completed, such as a degree in psychology or counselling certifications. This is super important in the therapy and counselling field, so don’t skip over these details in your CV.
Showcase Your Empathy Skills:In your cover letter, it's essential to demonstrate your empathy and communication skills, which are key in therapy. Share specific examples from your previous experiences where you've effectively helped someone through a tough time—this will make your application stand out.
Demonstrate Your Continued Learning:We love seeing candidates who are committed to ongoing professional development. Mention any workshops, seminars, or additional training you’ve attended recently. This not only boosts your CV but shows your passion for the field.
Personalise Your Application for BARNARDOS:Take some time to research BARNARDOS and reflect this understanding in your application. Explain why you’re interested in working with them specifically and how your values align with their approach—this personal touch can make all the difference!
How to prepare for a job interview at BARNARDOS
✨Show Your Empathy and Communication Skills
In therapy and counselling, it's all about how well you connect with others. Be ready to share examples of how you've demonstrated empathy, active listening, and non-verbal communication in past experiences. Your ability to create rapport with clients is key, so let that shine through!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to face some scenario-based questions that assess your practical skills in dealing with clients. Think of various client situations or challenges you've encountered or could encounter. Practice how you would respond, ensuring you highlight your problem-solving abilities and therapeutic techniques.
✨Highlight Your Continuing Education
Being in a full-time role in therapy means you need to stay updated with the latest techniques and theories. Mention any professional development courses you've taken recently, or plans you have for ongoing education. This shows that you’re committed to growth in your field and eager to help your clients with the best approaches.
✨Finesse Your Personal Statement
In therapy, your personal statement is a chance to showcase who you are beyond your qualifications. Tailor it to not just highlight your credentials but also your passion for helping others. Share personal stories or insights that led you to this profession, reinforcing why you'd be a great fit for BARNARDOS's values and approach.
