NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
MHST Senior Mental Health Practitioner (Mid Essex)
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Job Overview
Join our friendly and supportive team, making a real difference to the lives of children and young people.
NELFT is one of the largest providers of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in England, delivering evidence-based individual and group interventions within educational settings for children and young people aged 5-18 experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties. Our teams place a strong emphasis on Whole School Approaches (WSA) to enhance mental health outcomes across education communities.
The Mid Essex MHST covers a wide geographical area, including Braintree, Chelmsford, and Maldon. We are an early intervention and prevention-focused service, known for our collaborative, multidisciplinary approach. Our team is welcoming, compassionate, and committed to supporting one another while delivering high-quality care. We value work-life balance, offer flexible working in line with Trust policies, and actively support ongoing professional development and career progression.
The successful candidate will have experience supporting children and young people with emotional wellbeing and mental health difficulties, alongside delivering CBT interventions for anxiety, low mood and behavioural difficulties in both individual and group settings. The role involves providing CBT interventions, leading Whole School Approach (WSA) initiatives, supervising Trainee and qualified EMHPs, and contributing to training, group programmes and resource development.
We welcome applications from candidates who meet one of the following criteria:
- Hold a recognised qualification in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) through the Children and Young People's Psychological Training (CYP-PT) programme.
- Be a qualified Senior Wellbeing Practitioner (SWP).
- Have secured a place on a Senior Wellbeing Practitioner (SWP) training programme and be actively undertaking, and committed to completing, the qualification.
The appointed candidate will be required to undertake the Supervision: Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Services PG Certificate if they do not already hold this qualification. This programme includes attendance at face-to-face university teaching sessions.
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Applicants must hold a Professional registration where applicable (e.g. HCPC, NMC, BPS or BABCP).
Due to the size of the area we cover, access to a vehicle and the ability to travel efficiently across the county is essential.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will deliver brief, high-quality CBT interventions to CYP in schools and colleges, including assessments, early interventions, and outcome monitoring to ensure effective, evidence-based practice. They will support WSA activities such as workshops, groups, assemblies, staff training, and consultation, promoting early identification of mental health needs.
Working autonomously and in line with professional and Trust standards, the practitioner will plan and deliver care in accordance with NICE guidelines, initiate referrals where required, and provide clear psychoeducation to CYP and families. They will also provide supervision and guidance to both Trainee EMHPs and qualified EMHPs.
The role includes contributing to MHST leadership, supporting team culture, multidisciplinary working, audits, governance, and sharing clinical expertise.
Administrative responsibilities include maintaining accurate clinical records, managing caseloads, supporting agile working, and collecting Routine Outcome Measures (ROMs). Strong communication skills are essential to build relationships with schools, teams, partner agencies, and families.
The practitioner will engage in ongoing professional development, complete mandatory training, participate in appraisals, maintain clinical competencies, support new staff, contribute to training, and assist in implementing new policies and initiatives.
Starting with NELFT
All new starters join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and complete a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks, including mandatory and systems training, equipment allocation, and opportunities to meet the executive team and senior managers. Induction takes place at our head office at Goodmayes Hospital.
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Probationary Period
This post is subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt unless they are already within a probationary period or work as bank staff.
Base
The Mid Essex MHST is nominally based at Stapleford House, Chelmsford. As agile workers, the successful applicant will travel to various NELFT sites and educational settings across the MHST area.
Certificates of Sponsorship
Although NELFT is a registered sponsor, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all roles. Applicants should check their eligibility under the UKVI points-based system.
Use of AI
Applications must be written by the applicant. Submissions generated by AI may be rejected, except where appropriate support is required for a declared disability.
Working for Us
Joining #TeamNELFT means you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We’re CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London and Essex. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas.
The Trust has award-winning equality and diversity initiatives, along with staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest significantly in your development because when you feel valued and supported, we can deliver the highest quality care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been recognised in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years, and hold a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Through our staff networks and training opportunities, we strive to foster a just and compassionate culture at NELFT.
Interviews are scheduled to take place face-to-face on 11 September 2026. Candidates should be aware that, due to operational requirements, alternative interview dates are not available on this occasion.
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