NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Senior Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 13 October 2025

Job summary

Do you want to be part of an innovative organisation that is committed to delivering the best care by the best people? We are looking to appoint people who are as passionate about high quality care as we are.

In line with the government's priority to increase access and availability of mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people, the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) are an exciting and new opportunity to deliver evidence-based early interventions for children and young people, working across schools in Havering and Waltham Forest.

We are looking for a practitioner with experience of working in a setting where children and young people's mental health has been the primary focus. These posts are open to professionals with a variety of relevant backgrounds, but post holders must evidence meeting the essential criteria listed in the person specification within the job description.

This role would be suitable for a qualified EMHP or CWP with a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience or any other mental health professional who has 2 years' post qualification experience and/or experience in clinical supervision.

MHST's build on the support already in place from school counsellors, nurses, educational psychologists, and the voluntary sector to treat those with mild to moderate mental health issues in school and will help children and young people with more severe needs to access the right support and provide a link to CAMHS.

Main duties of the job

The responsibilities/expectations of the Senior Mental Health Practitioner are:

  • To effectively manage a caseload of CYP with mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
  • Provide caseload management and clinical supervision to Education Mental Health Practitioner's (EMHPs).
  • To undertake further educational development as part of the role.
  • To support in the delivery of evidence-based CBT.
  • Working in partnership with schools/colleges and other educational settings.
  • Provide support and training opportunities to a variety of team members and other professionals/trainees.
  • To support and develop the interventions that can be delivered as part of the MHST within the education setting.
  • Being able to work as part of a team and autonomously.
  • Ensuring appropriate access to MHST support for CYP.
  • Completion of thorough assessments, risk assessments, care planning and reviews.
  • To ensure that there is accurate documentation, and that Routine Outcome Measures are completed.
  • Appropriately raise safeguarding concerns where identified and to support colleagues with this process.

NELFT MHST's offer opportunities for growth and progression for individuals with a rich array of experience and transferable skills.

About us

Our Values 2025 - 2030

Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co-produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT.

They are:

We are kind.

We are respectful.

We work together with our communities.

These three values help us to strive to provide the best care by the best people.

Starting with NELFT

NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period.

High Cost Area Supplement - Outer London

This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (minimum payment of £4,714 and a maximum payment of £5,941 - per annum, pro rata for part time)

Details

Date posted

30 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year p.a (plus HCAS) pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

395-PP120-25

Job locations

CEME Centre (Various sites across Havering and Waltham Forest)

Marsh Way

Rainham

RM13 8EU


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application.

We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Please apply as soon as possible as some posts close early to limit the number of applications.

Certificates of Sponsorship

Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points-based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement) is not included to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust.

Use of AI

Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI during the recruitment process.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application.

We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Please apply as soon as possible as some posts close early to limit the number of applications.

Certificates of Sponsorship

Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points-based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement) is not included to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust.

Use of AI

Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI during the recruitment process.

Person Specification

Qualification

Essential

  • Successful completion of a graduate training (e.g. nursing, social work, occupational therapy) or equivalent substantial CAMHS/EWMHS clinical experience

Desirable

  • To be eligible for registration as a full member of the appropriate professional body (e.g. HCPC, NMC) where appropriate
  • To have completed formal CBT training (e.g. CYP-IAPT)

Experience

Essential

  • Experience delivering CBT interventions to CYP and their families

Desirable

  • Experience of working with schools to support CYP emotional well-being needs
  • Experience running therapy groups and/or training events

Experience

Essential

  • 2 years post qualification experience
  • EMHP/CWP qualification

assessed

Essential

  • Awareness of MHST remit

Desirable

  • awareness of trust policy
Person Specification

Qualification

Essential

  • Successful completion of a graduate training (e.g. nursing, social work, occupational therapy) or equivalent substantial CAMHS/EWMHS clinical experience

Desirable

  • To be eligible for registration as a full member of the appropriate professional body (e.g. HCPC, NMC) where appropriate
  • To have completed formal CBT training (e.g. CYP-IAPT)

Experience

Essential

  • Experience delivering CBT interventions to CYP and their families

Desirable

  • Experience of working with schools to support CYP emotional well-being needs
  • Experience running therapy groups and/or training events

Experience

Essential

  • 2 years post qualification experience
  • EMHP/CWP qualification

assessed

Essential

  • Awareness of MHST remit

Desirable

  • awareness of trust policy

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

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

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Address

CEME Centre (Various sites across Havering and Waltham Forest)

Marsh Way

Rainham

RM13 8EU


Employer's website

https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Address

CEME Centre (Various sites across Havering and Waltham Forest)

Marsh Way

Rainham

RM13 8EU


Employer's website

https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical & Strategic Lead

Dale Greenwood

Dale.Greenwood@nelft.nhs.uk

03005551201

Details

Date posted

30 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year p.a (plus HCAS) pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

395-PP120-25

Job locations

CEME Centre (Various sites across Havering and Waltham Forest)

Marsh Way

Rainham

RM13 8EU


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)