School Mental Health Practitioner

Harris Federation is a top performing multi-academy trust of 55 schools in London and Essex with a track record of having a transformational impact on students' life chances. The Department for Education and the educational charity the Sutton Trust have recognised the excellent progress made by our students and especially those who are disadvantaged.

At Harris we strive to improve the outcomes and experiences of all our students and particularly those facing mental health challenges. This is why we are committed to creating and developing a new and dynamic central team of four School Mental Health Practitioners (SMHPs) who will be led by a central School Mental Health Team Leader (SMHTL). The SMHTL will also provide regular supervision and training opportunities.

Each full-time SMHP will work with two Harris secondary schools to ensure we maintain a high-quality service and provide continuity of support for our students. Part-time SMHPs will work predominantly in one school. Our secondary schools are predominantly in the South/South East and South West of London and successful applicants will need to be willing and able to travel to one or more of these.

Time will be allocated for SMHPs to meet as a team with the SMHTL to share practice, develop the service and undertake training.

Harris Federation is a dynamic and rapidly expanding organisation with many career opportunities for new and existing staff. We are excited to build, develop and innovate through this new School Mental Health Team to help ensure all our students can reach their full potential.

We can be flexible on full or part-time hours. This role is term-time only, with the salary calculated pro rata based on 41 weeks per year.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The aim of the School Mental Health Practitioner's (SMHP's) role is to:

• offer evidence-based clinical assessments and specialist mental health interventions to young people who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues in two secondary schools (students aged 11-18);
• provide a range of mental health prevention and wellbeing advice to students to address a range of common adolescent emotional, behavioural and relationship difficulties within the two secondary schools;
• expedite access to external services for troubled students as appropriate, including supporting those with more severe needs in accessing the correct support;
• work as part of each school's wider multi-disciplinary team (e.g. with the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), safeguarding team, wellbeing team, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) team and teachers, as appropriate). This will be under the overarching guidance of the school's principal and will be with the support, guidance and line management of the central Harris Federation School Mental Health Team Leader (SMHTL);

For a full list of responsibilities, please download the Job Pack.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We would like to hear form you if you have:

• A degree in a field relevant to the post
• A recognised training qualification in youth counselling and/or evidence-based psychological therapy for children, young people and families
• Post qualification training and supervised experience in a clinical role with children, young people and families who experience mental health difficulties
• An understanding of the full range of emotional and mental health needs of young people and associated risk and protective factors
• Skill and theoretical understanding of a range of evidence-based psychological therapeutic models relevant to troubled young people and their families
• Experience of and skills in undertaking clinical assessment, formulation and treatment planning
• The ability to plan and deliver evidence-based therapeutic interventions to address the full range of mental health disorders
• Knowledge of school environments and an understanding of the process of engaging young people
• Skills in supporting parents
• The ability to provide staff consultation and advice in a timely manner
• The ability to work in partnership with specialist mental health providers and third sector agencies
• The ability to complete assessment and formulation of the full range of child and adolescent mental health disorders and related neurodevelopmental conditions and associated risk and protective factors
• The ability to undertake mental health risk assessments with children and young people
• A clear understanding of the needs of service users from diverse social and cultural backgrounds
• The desire and ability to act and develop as a Subject Matter Expert (e.g. self-harm, Emotionally Based School Avoidance, bereavement etc) within the team and wider Federation

For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Harris has a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

You will also have access to a variety of benefits, support programmes and initiatives including:

• Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression
• Annual performance and loyalty bonus
• Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution
• 26 days' annual leave (inclusive of our Christmas Eve closure day) plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service, or equivalent for staff on term time contracts
• Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare
• Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice
• Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
• Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts
• 20% off at Tapi Carpets, exclusive to Harris employees
• Interest-free ICT and season ticket loans

For most non-teaching staff based at our Head Office in East Croydon, we also offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with two days from home and three days on site.

APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION

If you would like to discuss the opportunity further, or if you have any questions, please contact us via email to arrange a conversation.

Screening calls will take place on 8th November, and in-person interviews on 15th November.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.