Southend On Sea City Council

Multi Disciplinary Childrens Mental Health Specialist - Permanent

The closing date is 08 April 2026

Job summary

Southend-on-Sea City Councils new Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) consists of subject-matter experts specialising in domestic abuse, drug and alcohol support, mental health support for adults and children and systemic family therapy. MDT workers bring specialist knowledge and therapeutic insight. Their expertise is instrumental in engaging families in direct intervention and supporting sustainable change.

The MDT team is situated within frontline social work teams. The interventions from MDT are delivered within the community and/ or in the families homes.

This is an exciting time for Childrens Social Work, and we are seeking experienced, motivated and passionate individuals to join the new dynamic Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT).

Led by the Team Manager, you will help create the conditions for sustainable change, working alongside a diverse team of subject-matter experts.

Main duties of the job

The team are looking to appoint a full-time, permanent, experienced Childrens Mental Health Specialist.

In this role, you will provide creative, flexible and evidenceinformed mental health support to children and young people experiencing emotional and psychological difficulties. You will deliver a range of therapeutic interventions tailored to the holistic needs of the child and family, drawing on trauma informed principles to ensure safety, empowerment, and meaningful engagement.

You will work closely with colleagues, frontline professionals, and community partners to improve outcomes and ensure a coordinated response.

About us

Southend on Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend.

Working for Southend on Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovate environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work life balance. As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.

Details

Date posted

20 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

F0033-26-0009

Job locations

Southend-on-sea City Council

Victoria Avenue

Southend-on-sea

SS1 9SB


Job description

Job responsibilities

Other key responsibilities

Delivering timelimited interventions, supporting engagement, producing highquality assessments and reports, and contributing to multiagency meetings.

Deliver targeted, traumainformed mental health interventions with children and young people.

Provide specialist consultation, advice, and reflective input to colleagues and partners.

Participate in multiagency meetings and contribute to shared safeguarding decision-making.

Maintain accurate, timely case records and produce high quality written reports.

Support innovative approaches to engagement with families facing complex challenges.

Champion mental health awareness and contribute to a culture of learning.

Whilst this position is predominately on site at Southend City Council, working from home options are available, but will depend on the needs of the team.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Other key responsibilities

Delivering timelimited interventions, supporting engagement, producing highquality assessments and reports, and contributing to multiagency meetings.

Deliver targeted, traumainformed mental health interventions with children and young people.

Provide specialist consultation, advice, and reflective input to colleagues and partners.

Participate in multiagency meetings and contribute to shared safeguarding decision-making.

Maintain accurate, timely case records and produce high quality written reports.

Support innovative approaches to engagement with families facing complex challenges.

Champion mental health awareness and contribute to a culture of learning.

Whilst this position is predominately on site at Southend City Council, working from home options are available, but will depend on the needs of the team.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Be able to demonstrate significant experience in delivering therapeutic or mental health focused interventions.
  • Have proven experience of supporting families subject to Child Protection or Child in Need Plans.
  • Strong skills in assessment, recording, and planning skills, have the ability to work effectively within multi agency environments.
  • Have excellent communication skills with a reflective, collaborative approach.

Qualifications

Essential

  • To be shortlisted for this position, it is essential that you are degree educated within a relevant field, i.e. social work, psychology, counselling, mental health nursing, or a diploma level qualification in mental health.
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Be able to demonstrate significant experience in delivering therapeutic or mental health focused interventions.
  • Have proven experience of supporting families subject to Child Protection or Child in Need Plans.
  • Strong skills in assessment, recording, and planning skills, have the ability to work effectively within multi agency environments.
  • Have excellent communication skills with a reflective, collaborative approach.

Qualifications

Essential

  • To be shortlisted for this position, it is essential that you are degree educated within a relevant field, i.e. social work, psychology, counselling, mental health nursing, or a diploma level qualification in mental health.

Employer details

Employer name

Southend On Sea City Council

Address

Southend-on-sea City Council

Victoria Avenue

Southend-on-sea

SS1 9SB


Employer's website

https://www.southend.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Southend On Sea City Council

Address

Southend-on-sea City Council

Victoria Avenue

Southend-on-sea

SS1 9SB


Employer's website

https://www.southend.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Business Manager

Nathalie Storozynski

nathalie.s@hays.com

+441702352452

Details

Date posted

20 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

F0033-26-0009

Job locations

Southend-on-sea City Council

Victoria Avenue

Southend-on-sea

SS1 9SB


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