Mental Health Practitioner - Manchester Thrive in Education

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you'll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the 'Documents to download' heading.
Explore 'Inside MFT - Your Candidate Place'
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT - Your Candidate Place. This welcoming one stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. You'll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
To access 'Inside MFT - Your Candidate Place', simply click on the relevant PDF document under the 'Documents to download' heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.
Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we're proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.
What is a DBS Check?
A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:
Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that's considered relevant to the role.
Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the children's and/or adults' barred lists.
Who Needs a DBS Check
Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.
The Costs for a DBS
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.
For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december
DBS Update Service
Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person specification

Registration/ Accreditation

Essential criteria

• You must be registered/accredited (or, if EMHP/CWP, in the process of becoming accredited) with a professional body: e.g. NMC, SW England, UKCP, HCPC, BABCP, BPS

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• You must have a recognised qualification: Recognised qualifications are: EMHP/CYWP/SWP, Registered Nursing: RMN/RSCN/RNMH, Social Work (CQSW/DipSW), Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy, or Other relevant accreditable qualification

Desirable criteria

• Qualifications in Psychological Therapies e.g. CBT / SFT/ IPT

Experience

Essential criteria

• Proven experience of working effectively with people with mental health difficulties.
• Experience of assessing and managing risk: including safeguarding.
• Experience of developing and providing evidenced based assessments, formulations, and care plans.
• Experience of liaison and working with a range of other relevant agencies and professionals.
• Experience of autonomously managing a caseload within a service.
• Experience of mentoring and supervision of others.
• Understanding of the principles of Clinical Governance and a willingness to follow Trust Policy and Procedures

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
• Experience of providing interventions for children and young people with mental health problems and their families
• Community mental health experience.

Knowedge skills & ability

Essential criteria

• Up to date knowledge of child mental health and relevant legislation.
• Understanding of evidence-based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences clinical practice.
• The ability to assess, formulate and manage care appropriately, ensuring discharge is timely.
• The ability to use assessment tools and outcome measures / ROMs effectively and in collaboration with the child, young person, and family.
• To be able to function as a part of a multi-disciplinary team and to liaise effectively with other agencies i.e., education, GP's, maintaining positive working relationships.
• The ability to reflect on and critically appraise own practice
• To have the ability to manage own caseload.
• Ability to manage and organise own time and diary.
• The ability to follow policy and make proposals for change.
• The ability to work independently with the support of clinical and management supervision.
• The ability to maintain clinical records both written and electronic.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of delivering training
• Demonstrable therapeutic skills
• IT competent
• Knowledge and understanding of the research process

Personal Attributes

Essential criteria

• A commitment to undertake further relevant training and self-directed study.
• Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required.
• Ability to travel across the MFT footprint

Employer certification / accreditation badges