Senior Mental Health Practitioner -Hillingdon CAMHS MHST

Job summaryThis is a role within the Green Paper for Transforming children and young people's mental health programme. The post holder will work within a Mental Health Support Team providing short-term evidence-based interventions to children and young people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression and/or behavioural difficulties and their parent(s)/carer(s).The post holder will work with children, young people and parents with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities.Main duties of the jobThe MHST works with Young people with mild to moderate mental health presentations attending school/education setting in the Hillingdon area.The purpose of the team is toProvide evidence-based interventions for mild to moderate mental health issues.Support the senior mental health lead in each education setting to introduce or develop their whole school or college approach.Give timely advice to school and college staff, and liaising with external specialist services, to help children and young people to get the right support and stay in education.Young people have access to the MHST through their education setting. School staff and other potential referrers are able to contact a team of clinical staff to discuss potential referrals.The MHST will manage referrals, deal with queries, undertake clinical telephone triage and face to face assessment, give advice and signpost young people where appropriate.About usCentral and North West London NHS Trust expects all staff to act in a way which shows you understand our core values and are willing to put them into practice with young people, their friends family and carers and also other staff members.We expect you to showCOMPASSION, contribute to a caring and kind environment and recognise that what you do and say helps can make the lives of others betterWe expect you toRESPECTeveryone and acknowledge and welcome people's differences rather than ignore them or see them as problematic.We expect you toEMPOWERothers and continually try to provide information, resources and support to help others make their own decisions and meet their own needs.We expect you to work inPARTNERSHIPand behave in a way that shows that you recognise the importance of working collaboratively with all who come into contact with this service.To find out more about working in CAMHS CLICK HERE for our video.DetailsDate posted17 September 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 6Salary
45,953 to 54,254 a year
Per annum incl. HCAS
ContractPermanentWorking pattern

Full-time

Reference number333-G-CA-1761Job locationsHillingdon CAMHS MHSTAvondale DriveHillingdonUB3 3NRUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesThe key roles and responsibilities of the Senior Mental Health Practitioner will include:Forming strong working relations with a variety of stakeholdersWorking in partnership with schools/colleges and other educational settings.Provide training to team members and other professionals/traineesSupervising junior staff in the team.Providing consultations to education colleagues and support education settings to embed a whole school approach to wellbeingDeveloping and delivering evidence-based individual and group time limited interventions to young people within education settings in accordance with Children and Young People's IAPT principlesHolding a caseload of CYP with mild-moderate mental health difficultiesCompletion of thorough assessments, risk assessments, care planning and reviews.Ensuring that there is accurate and timely documentation to a high standard, and that Routine Outcome Measures are completed.Evidencing the outcomes of the MHST service and feeding back this data to key stakeholdersProviding clinical supervision to Education Mental Health Practitioners and day to day clinical and supervisory support for the Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioners.Contributing to group supervision spaces within the team.Working as part of a senior team, supporting the Senior Clinical Supervisors and Service Development Leads to expand the service within the Harrow area and improve the quality of the service.Supporting and developing the interventions that can be delivered as part of the MHST within the education setting, including SEN settings.Appropriately raise and report safeguarding concerns where identified and to support colleagues with this process.Patient SafetySafeguarding people by recognising and responding when an adult or child might be at risk from abuse but also recognising their own limits and asking for help and escalate concerns when necessaryEscalating safety concerns and by doing so acting as effective advocates for those who use our servicesBeing open and transparent about your own practiceIdentifying areas where improvements in safety or quality can be made. Report to the Team Manager any areas of concern, which may affect the safe delivery of care and/or the safe working of other members of the team.Working closely with others to improve servicesMaintaining accurate, legible, comprehensive recordsMaintaining compliance with your mandatory and core training requirementsBe aware of and understand ones responsibilities in relation to the Policies and Procedures regarding: FireLone WorkingHealth & SafetyAbsence managementReport any accidents / incidents as per the reporting procedures of the service.Central and North West London NHS Trust is committed to providing safe, effective services and providing young people and families with a positive experience. Person Specification Education and Qualifications Essential Relevant professional qualification in either: a.) Degree level Mental Health Nursing; Social Work; Occupational Therapy; Art Therapy; Drama Therapy; Music Therapy; LD Nursing. Or b.) Substantial consolidated experience qualified as EMHP or CWP.Additional qualifications or training in child and adolescent mental health gained through studyRegistered with a relevant professional body Desirable Formal CBT training or Post Graduate accredited training in CBTAccredited courses / workshops in CYP-IAPT principles Previous Experience and knowledge Essential Substantial consolidated experience working in child and adolescent mental health.Experience either working as a member of a multidisciplinary team or multi-agency working.Good understanding of the range of child and adolescent mental health services and conditionsKnowledge of legislation in relation to children and adolescents and safeguarding procedures and policies Desirable Knowledge and experience in mental health promotion workExperience of working with schools to support CYP emotional wellbeing needsExperience running therapy groups and/or training events Other Essential Able to travel to meet the requirements of the postTeam playerExcellent time management and organisational skills Desirable Access to car or other motor vehicle for use for work purposes. Clinical Skills Essential Ability to carry out 1:1 therapeutic mental health interventions with children and young peopleAbility to conduct mental health assessments of children and young peopleAbility to work within educational settings to increase mental health awareness within the staff group Desirable Experience delivering trainings and psycho-educational workshops about mental health issuesExperience of providing mental health consultation and signposting to education staff and other professionals. Knowledge Essential Understanding how the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards impacts on their work and the people they are working withUnderstanding the concept of quality and their role in improving safety, clinical outcomes and the patient experience
Job description
Job responsibilitiesThe key roles and responsibilities of the Senior Mental Health Practitioner will include:Forming strong working relations with a variety of stakeholdersWorking in partnership with schools/colleges and other educational settings.Provide training to team members and other professionals/traineesSupervising junior staff in the team.Providing consultations to education colleagues and support education settings to embed a whole school approach to wellbeingDeveloping and delivering evidence-based individual and group time limited interventions to young people within education settings in accordance with Children and Young People's IAPT principlesHolding a caseload of CYP with mild-moderate mental health difficultiesCompletion of thorough assessments, risk assessments, care planning and reviews.Ensuring that there is accurate and timely documentation to a high standard, and that Routine Outcome Measures are completed.Evidencing the outcomes of the MHST service and feeding back this data to key stakeholdersProviding clinical supervision to Education Mental Health Practitioners and day to day clinical and supervisory support for the Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioners.Contributing to group supervision spaces within the team.Working as part of a senior team, supporting the Senior Clinical Supervisors and Service Development Leads to expand the service within the Harrow area and improve the quality of the service.Supporting and developing the interventions that can be delivered as part of the MHST within the education setting, including SEN settings.Appropriately raise and report safeguarding concerns where identified and to support colleagues with this process.Patient SafetySafeguarding people by recognising and responding when an adult or child might be at risk from abuse but also recognising their own limits and asking for help and escalate concerns when necessaryEscalating safety concerns and by doing so acting as effective advocates for those who use our servicesBeing open and transparent about your own practiceIdentifying areas where improvements in safety or quality can be made. Report to the Team Manager any areas of concern, which may affect the safe delivery of care and/or the safe working of other members of the team.Working closely with others to improve servicesMaintaining accurate, legible, comprehensive recordsMaintaining compliance with your mandatory and core training requirementsBe aware of and understand ones responsibilities in relation to the Policies and Procedures regarding: FireLone WorkingHealth & SafetyAbsence managementReport any accidents / incidents as per the reporting procedures of the service.Central and North West London NHS Trust is committed to providing safe, effective services and providing young people and families with a positive experience. Person Specification Education and Qualifications Essential Relevant professional qualification in either: a.) Degree level Mental Health Nursing; Social Work; Occupational Therapy; Art Therapy; Drama Therapy; Music Therapy; LD Nursing. Or b.) Substantial consolidated experience qualified as EMHP or CWP.Additional qualifications or training in child and adolescent mental health gained through studyRegistered with a relevant professional body Desirable Formal CBT training or Post Graduate accredited training in CBTAccredited courses / workshops in CYP-IAPT principles Previous Experience and knowledge Essential Substantial consolidated experience working in child and adolescent mental health.Experience either working as a member of a multidisciplinary team or multi-agency working.Good understanding of the range of child and adolescent mental health services and conditionsKnowledge of legislation in relation to children and adolescents and safeguarding procedures and policies Desirable Knowledge and experience in mental health promotion workExperience of working with schools to support CYP emotional wellbeing needsExperience running therapy groups and/or training events Other Essential Able to travel to meet the requirements of the postTeam playerExcellent time management and organisational skills Desirable Access to car or other motor vehicle for use for work purposes. Clinical Skills Essential Ability to carry out 1:1 therapeutic mental health interventions with children and young peopleAbility to conduct mental health assessments of children and young peopleAbility to work within educational settings to increase mental health awareness within the staff group Desirable Experience delivering trainings and psycho-educational workshops about mental health issuesExperience of providing mental health consultation and signposting to education staff and other professionals. Knowledge Essential Understanding how the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards impacts on their work and the people they are working withUnderstanding the concept of quality and their role in improving safety, clinical outcomes and the patient experiencePerson Specification
Qualifications
EssentialRelevant professional qualification in either: a. Degree level Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy or equivalent substantialHEE Postgraduate Diploma in Education Mental Health Practice or Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Wellbeing Practice for children and young peopleExtensive post qualified as a CWP or EMHDesirableRegistered with a relevant professional bodyAdditional qualifications or training in child and adolescent mental health gained through accredited courses workshops, study and in house training programmes. CBT training (e.g. CYP-IAPT)
Experience/ Knowledge
EssentialSubstantial consolidated experience working in child and adolescent mental health.Extensive experience of delivering evidenced-based CBT interventions for mild to moderate mental health issues such as anxiety, low mood and behavioural problems to CYP both individually and in groupsExperience either working as a member of a multidisciplinary team or multi-agency workingGood understanding of the range of child and adolescent mental health servicesKnowledge of legislation in relation to children and adolescents and safeguarding procedures and policies.DesirableKnowledge and experience in mental health promotion work.
Technical Job Related Skills
EssentialGood communication, assessment, planning and recording skillsAbility to deliver interventions which address the assessed needsAbility to work co-operatively with other disciplines.Knowledge of risk management and ability to monitor and assess risk and act accordingly to ensure safetyDesirableAbility to evaluate interventions and practice for service improvement.
Personal Job Related Skills
EssentialAbility to relate to young people and familiesBroad understanding of equal opportunities and an ability to work in an anti-discriminating wayEnthusiasm, flexibility and willingness to cope with the demands of what can be a stressful job.Ability to relate to professional staff from different agencies often at senior levels
Other Requirements
EssentialTo work as part of a team and to be self-motivatedTo work under pressure and to achieve deadlinesUnderstanding of issues of confidentiality and information sharingTo be able to travel efficiently throughout the areaDesirableTo have a wider knowledge about the Health Act and changes to NHS Commissioning
Person Specification

Qualifications
EssentialRelevant professional qualification in either: a. Degree level Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy or equivalent substantialHEE Postgraduate Diploma in Education Mental Health Practice or Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Wellbeing Practice for children and young peopleExtensive post qualified as a CWP or EMHDesirableRegistered with a relevant professional bodyAdditional qualifications or training in child and adolescent mental health gained through accredited courses workshops, study and in house training programmes. CBT training (e.g. CYP-IAPT)
Experience/ Knowledge
EssentialSubstantial consolidated experience working in child and adolescent mental health.Extensive experience of delivering evidenced-based CBT interventions for mild to moderate mental health issues such as anxiety, low mood and behavioural problems to CYP both individually and in groupsExperience either working as a member of a multidisciplinary team or multi-agency workingGood understanding of the range of child and adolescent mental health servicesKnowledge of legislation in relation to children and adolescents and safeguarding procedures and policies.DesirableKnowledge and experience in mental health promotion work.
Technical Job Related Skills
EssentialGood communication, assessment, planning and recording skillsAbility to deliver interventions which address the assessed needsAbility to work co-operatively with other disciplines.Knowledge of risk management and ability to monitor and assess risk and act accordingly to ensure safetyDesirableAbility to evaluate interventions and practice for service improvement.
Personal Job Related Skills
EssentialAbility to relate to young people and familiesBroad understanding of equal opportunities and an ability to work in an anti-discriminating wayEnthusiasm, flexibility and willingness to cope with the demands of what can be a stressful job.Ability to relate to professional staff from different agencies often at senior levels
Other Requirements
EssentialTo work as part of a team and to be self-motivatedTo work under pressure and to achieve deadlinesUnderstanding of issues of confidentiality and information sharingTo be able to travel efficiently throughout the areaDesirableTo have a wider knowledge about the Health Act and changes to NHS CommissioningDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 detailsEmployer nameCentral and North West London NHS Foundation TrustAddressHillingdon CAMHS MHSTAvondale DriveHillingdonUB3 3NRUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameCentral and North West London NHS Foundation TrustAddressHillingdon CAMHS MHSTAvondale DriveHillingdonUB3 3NRUnited KingdomEmployer's website