School Mental Health Practitioner

We are looking for a School Mental Health Practitioner (SMHP) to contribute to the development of mental health in our secondary academies, sharing best practice and innovations in Young People's mental health.

You will offer evidence-based clinical assessments and specialist mental health interventions to young people aged 11 to 18 who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues in two secondary schools.

This is a term-time plus role, with the full-time equivalent salary calculated based on 41 weeks per year, 37.5 hours per week. You will be required to work throughout the school term plus two weeks, with the remaining school holidays off.

WORKING WITH US

The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.

We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.

Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.

To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the Why Work For Us page.

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:

• Holds a degree in field relevant to the post
• Holds 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
• Can demonstrate an understanding of the full range of emotional and mental health needs of young people and associated risk and protective factors
• Demonstrates 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 alongside parents, carers and school staff based on child's needs
• Demonstrates knowledge of school environments and an understanding of the process of engaging young people who require or would benefit from emotional and therapeutic support within educational settings
• Skills in supporting parents and providing evidence-based parenting advice and interventions

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
• 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.

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.