Mental Health Practitioner CAMHS/ CYP Primary Care

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Mental Health Practitioner with CAMHS/ CYP experience to lead and develop a project working alongside the ARRS Mental Health Team in Primary Care.

The aim of the project is to strengthen the liaison relationship between North Staffordshire Combined CYP and Young Adults Mental Health Services and Primary Care.  Your role will be to support clinical decisions and discussions for CYP who are not known to NSCHT services or those who are open to NSCHT mental health care to support GPs who need advice.

You will lead in the approach to review CYP referred from primary care and assess where their needs can be best met.  Your role will involve providing expert guidance, advice and interventions to children, Young People, and their families and the professionals working around them in the areas of  Mental Health in primary care who have been discharged or not engaged with NSCHT services, ensuring the needs of the CYP are navigated to the right place at the right time alongside the GP.

You will work closely with the GP practices, senior mental health practitioners and STR workers, to identify children and young people who require early help and support with their mental health but may find it difficult to access the range of services currently available due to social circumstances or significant vulnerabilities.

Main duties of the job

The role will provide an opportunity to support primary care and increase access for clinically evidence-based interventions for mild to moderate MH needs of CYP.  The initiative aims to:

• Support children,  young people/adults and parents/carers through person-centred care when they present to general practice with identified or suspected mental health issues e.g. anxiety, depression, recognising risk of an eating problems, or responding to crisis presentations and supporting those with complex needs
• Understand where to get children and young people’s mental health advice and additional support
• Agree local shared care protocols (e.g. medical monitoring) and support timely access to mental health advice and guidance

We are focusing the resource in two of NSCHC integrated GP practices within Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle Under Lyme. This work will strengthen support to CYP facing added disadvantages as a result of their specific status (e.g. looked after, living with a disability, member of minority groups). We aim to implement a model which is aligned to the following principles – common language, needs led, shared decision making, partnership working, reducing stigma and accessibility.

Feedback from PCN’s has been specifically around focusing on family dynamics, early years preventative work, teenage girls and lower-level family stress.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post will include a variety of interventions including screening new referrals, contributing in referral meetings, consultation to professionals, assessing the needs of the Young Person/Young Adult, providing brief therapeutic interventions and delivering training, with a specific emphasis on early intervention and prevention.

• To perform all aspects of the role in accordance with Trust policies and other national bodies.
• To Support and strengthening provision in relation to early identification and intervention for Young Persons/Young Adults with Mental health and family Support needs
• To complete direct work with Young Person/Young Adults to improve their Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing.
• To complete an assessment of care needs and the development implementation and evaluation of individual care plans, intervention plans.
• To provide specialist advice and training in mental health and youth culture to professionals and parents.
• In conjunction with the Service Line Manager Clinical Team lead, and MDT to take responsibility for setting, maintaining and evaluating standards of care throughout.
• To liaise with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and outside agencies in the implementation of Young Person/Young Adult care.
• To ensure that care activities are research based and in keeping with changes in the field of activity.
• To contribute to the development of ideas and innovative practice.
• To undertake and participate in audit as requested by the Clinical Team Lead, or Quality Improvement Lead Nurse (QILN).