Mental Health Practitioner

• Job Purpose

• The post holder will work closely and in collaboration with housing, education, substance misuse services and other services supporting young people.
• You will respond to requests for consultation and when referred, you will assess and provide goal based interventions to young people presenting with mental health difficulties and/or behavioural /neurodevelopmental needs.
• Work in accordance with SABP policies and procedures to safeguard and promote the welfare of young people and to protect the public.
• Follow lone work according to SABP policy and safety procedures.
• Participate fully in the Trusts performance review and personal development planning process on an annual basis.
• To undertake any other duties at the request of the line manager which are commensurate with the role including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.
• Being comfortable lone working with children and young people.
• Ability to engage and build relationships with vulnerable children and young people, who will often have complex backgrounds.
• Persistence and tenacity in building rapport and relationships with children and young people, who struggle to communicate and trust.
• Being able to think creatively about how to engage with vulnerable children and young people.
• Good understanding of broad age range, life stage, and ability to adapt approach to suit needs.
• Being a consistent and reliable advocate/voice for a young person.
• Understanding a young persons needs/challenges and signposting to appropriate services to support that young person.
• Understanding of the school / college system and linking in with the schools and wider support networks to create an action to plan to re-engage children in school / college.
• Understanding of the criminal justice system and linking in with SCC Teams and wider support networks to create an action to plan to prevent children/young people from re-offending.
• To liaise with colleagues and other professionals or agencies as required, including attending case conferences, planning meetings etc.
• Being able to work with families in a way which is helpful to that young person.
• Being willing to do outreach work and travel across the county to see young people within their environments such as home, park, cafes.
• Must hold a current driving license and have access to a car for work purposes.
• IT skills including ability to use a computer.
• Ability to accurately and concisely document notes and risks onto system after sessions.
• Ability to conduct risk assessments, identify changes to clinical risk and implement actions to ensure a persons safety.
• Knowledge of responsibilities in relation to the Childrens Act.
• Knowledge and awareness of Safeguarding procedures and the experience of developing a plan of care to safeguard an adult or child.

Essential

• Degree or diploma level qualification in Nursing, Social Work or Occupational Therapy

Essential

• 2-year post qualification experience of working in the community with young people with mental health difficulties and their families.
• Experience of and ability to undertake Mental Health Assessments, Risk Assessment and implementation of risk management plans, use of outcome measures to evidence good practice