About this role
Job summary
Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) support children, young people and their families who have links to identified school settings. Each designated MHST will work in collaboration with schools and other agencies that cover a population of up to 7,000 children and young people. Trailblazer sites were established in Kent in 2019, with the service aiming to cover 50% of the schools across Kent and Medway by 2026. It is expected that this will increase early access to services and offer greater preventative provision.
We also work with our schools to support their development of a Whole School Approach (WSA) to emotional wellbeing and mental health, as well as their development of curriculum content to ensure pupils are taught about mental health in the classroom.
One trust, one mental health service for Kent and Medway - Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust
We have vacancies in
Dartford/Dartford Outskirts Sevenoaks Kent Emotional Wellbeing Team and Medway Emotional Support Team
Information for school staff, families and professionals to find out more about the services the Kent and Medway Mental Health Support Teams provide.
Kent Emotional Wellbeing Teams and Medway Emotional Support Teams - Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust
Main duties of the job
Assessment and Treatment of Children and Young People under the MHST 3 Core functions (Targeted Intervention, Whole School Approach & Consultation and Liaison) To work as part of a team with a set number of schools to deliver the core components of the service Active participation in local and county-wide meetings and supervision forums (Please see the corresponding Job Description for more details)
We hope successful candidates will bring a passion for participation and service development, as we have a number of research and co-production projects underway. It is also the aspiration that successful candidates will be keen to further develop their skills and consider their exciting career prospects within MHST services.
About us
We are the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway. Our teams support adults with a wide range of mental health needs. Because we cover the whole county and both hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the 1.8 million people of Kent and Medway. Rated 'Good' by the CQC, we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 in the community each year.
Our vision is simple: We are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. And everything we do is guided by our values caring, inclusive, curious and confident.
Join us - if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's doing well together.
The High-Cost Area (HCA) allowance, also referred to as London Weighting is a payment made to employees who work in London and the surrounding areas.
As this post is based in Dartford, Gravesham or Swanley, the successful applicant will receive an additional payment each month.
5% of basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £1,346 per year and a maximum payment of £2,270 per year (the agreed annual amount will be divided into 12 equal amounts and paid monthly) (2026/27 figures)
Job description Job responsibilities
We are looking for Qualified Education Mental Health Practitioners(EMHP) / Children's Wellbeing Practitioners (CWP) to join the team and work with us to further develop the serviceand ensure we meet the core components.
Whole School Approach Targeted Treatment (main evidence base is low intensity CBT individual and group) Consultation and Liaison **(if you are about to qualify from an EMHP / CWP course please apply as posts can be held for successful applicants)
Please note that successful applicants will be required to complete all mandatory tasks associated with applying for professional registration and submit the required information to the relevant regulatory body within the six-month probationary period.
Our senior Clinical Team are passionate about the careers of EMHPs and CWPs, and we have an exciting CPD program in service. We are working closely with Health Education England (HEE) and NHS England to look at the career pathways of this new workforce.
We have good working relationships with the University of Surrey and King's College London, and are looking to develop our staff to progress into senior positions and to consider senior EMHP/CWP training opportunities and supervisor training.
The post holder must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car/vehicle to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
Person Specification
Qualification Essential
Successful completion of Education Mental Health Practitioner / Children's Wellbeing Practitioner course
Desirable
Working towards / received professional registration with either the BABCP or BPS as a low intensity practitioner.
Experience Essential
Experienced in delivering specific therapeutic interventions to children, young people, or their families (e.g. CBT, solution focused brief therapy) Ability to conduct mental health assessments, risk assessments and communicate appropriately with children, young people and parents
Desirable
Experienced in working within educational settings Knowledge of capacity and consent issues including Gillick competence Knowledge of education systems within the United Kingdom.
Travel Essential
Holds a valid driving licence and has access to a vehicle.
Desirable
Ability to travel to work a in a timely manner.
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 Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust
Address Dartford
1 Twistleton Court, Priory Road
Kent
DA1 2EN
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.kentmedwaymentalhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)