Senior Mental Health Practitioner Early Intervention Service in Chelmsford, Essex

The successful candidate will have experience supporting children and young people with emotional wellbeing and mental health difficulties, alongside delivering CBT interventions for anxiety, low mood and behavioural difficulties in both individual and group settings. The role involves providing CBT interventions, leading Whole School Approach (WSA) initiatives, supervising Trainee and qualified EMHPs, and contributing to training, group programmes and resource development.

Hold a recognised qualification in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) through the Children and Young People's Psychological Training (CYP-PT) programme. Be a qualified Senior Wellbeing Practitioner (SWP). Have secured a place on a Senior Wellbeing Practitioner (SWP) training programme and be actively undertaking, and committed to completing, the qualification. The appointed candidate will be required to undertake the Supervision: Children and Young Peoples Mental Health and Wellbeing Services PG Certificate if they do not already hold this qualification. HCPC, NMC, BPS or BABCP).

Due to the size of the area we cover, access to a vehicle and the ability to travel efficiently across the county is essential.

Main duties of the job include delivering brief, high-quality CBT interventions to CYP in schools and colleges, including assessments, early interventions, and outcome monitoring to ensure effective, evidence-based practice. They will support WSA activities such as workshops, groups, assemblies, staff training, and consultation, promoting early identification of mental health needs. Working autonomously and in line with professional and Trust standards, the practitioner will plan and deliver care in accordance with NICE guidelines, initiate referrals where required, and provide clear psychoeducation to CYP and families. They will also provide supervision and guidance to both Trainee EMHPs and qualified EMHPs.

Administrative responsibilities include maintaining accurate clinical records, managing caseloads, supporting agile working, and collecting Routine Outcome Measures (ROMs). The practitioner will engage in ongoing professional development, complete mandatory training, participate in appraisals, maintain clinical competencies, support new staff, contribute to training, and assist in implementing new policies and initiatives.

NELFT NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and community services for over 4.9 million people living in the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, and across Essex. We work to ensure our patients, their friends and family, feel confident that their health needs are well met. With an excellent reputation for research and development, our skilled health professionals are at the cutting edge of evidence-based innovation, opening up the possibilities for better ways of working and delivery of care.

All new starters join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and complete a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks, including mandatory and systems training, equipment allocation, and opportunities to meet the executive team and senior managers. Induction takes place at our head office at Goodmayes Hospital. Internal applicants are exempt unless they are already within a probationary period or work as bank staff. As agile workers, the successful applicant will travel to various NELFT sites and educational settings across the MHST area.

We’re CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas. The Trust has award-winning equality and diversity initiatives, along with staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest significantly in your development because when you feel valued and supported, we can deliver the highest quality care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been recognised in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years, and hold a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Through our staff networks and training opportunities, we strive to foster a just and compassionate culture at NELFT.

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.