Whole School Approach Practitioner

Would you like to be part of an exciting and innovative service working with young people with an ethos of prevention and early intervention? We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic Whole School Approach Practitioner for our North Durham Piece of Mind Team. The successful post holder will coordinate whole school approach activities and resources. You must have the Right to Work in the UK in order to be successfully appointed to this role. This role does not meet the required eligibility criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa and therefore the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this particular role.

Main duties of the job:

• The Piece of Mind Team deliver evidence-based early interventions for children and young people, working across both educational settings and healthcare sectors in England.
• The Wellbeing in Mind team has 3 functions:
• Support the development of a whole school (or college) approach (WSA) to wellbeing, including supporting sites to develop and implement mental health and wellbeing policies, development of resources, supporting campaigns and delivering training, assemblies and PHSE curriculum.
• Provide timely advice and consultation to education staff to support teaching staff in building their skills and confidence in supporting the wellbeing needs of their students/pupils.
• Undertake direct assessments and intervention for young people within education, offering a low intensity service model, predominantly using cognitive-behavioural therapy.

Job responsibilities:

• Responsible for the development, monitoring and implementation of the WSA approach in participating schools with limited or indirect supervision, with direction from Leadership team.
• Coordinate resources across the service for the delivery of WSA interventions, including planning of service/staff time required.
• Work across the service, engaging with schools, colleges and other key stakeholders.
• Improve the lives of children and young people with mental ill health by minimising the impact of their condition through the delivery of excellent services to promote recovery and well-being.
• Be compassionate in meeting the needs of children and young people and their carers.
• Promote social inclusion, positive wellbeing cultures, community access and participation through the provision of whole school interventions and collaboration with stakeholders.

Person Specification:

• NVQ3, HNC/NND or equivalent qualification relevant to health, education or business administration.
• Key skills in literacy and numeracy level 2 or O level / GCSE in Maths and English grade C or above.
• Experience of working in an education setting supporting children and young people.
• Evidence of continuous professional development relevant to health or education.

• Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook) and other applications as required.
• Experience of working in partnership with schools, health and other stakeholders, across and between organisations including external partners and service users.
• High quality verbal and written communication skills with ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of people.
• Ability to adapt approach according to audience/stakeholder to achieve effective outcomes.
• Ability to promote positive approaches to diversity providing guidance and challenge as required.
• Be aware of, and work within safeguarding policies.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to motivate and negotiate effectively.
• Understanding of programme / project working, principles and tools.
• Experience of using audit and assessment, creating and delivering action plans.
• Ability to deliver service including making decisions when dealing with constant and conflicting demands on time.

• Knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders in children and young people, and their impact on both the client group and their families/carers.
• Knowledge and understanding of education settings and systems including whole school approach.
• Knowledge of the national Mental Health Support Team programme and associated drivers.

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.