Job summary
A friendly, supportive team making a difference to the lives of children and young people. NELFT is the largest providers of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in England. Ourservices cover 144 schools. The MHSTs deliver evidence-based individual and group interventions in educational settings for children experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties aged 5 to 18 years old. The teams also have a strong focus on whole school approaches to improve mental health outcomes for children and young people. Wecovera large geographical area incorporating the districts of Southend, Castlepoint, Rochford and Canvey Island. An early intervention and prevention evidence-based service,as a team we are supportive and passionate in what we deliver. We are a friendly team of professionals who come from multidisciplinary backgrounds. We recognise the need for a work life balance, andwill consider flexible working applications in line with the trust policies and process. We encourage Continual Professional Development (CPD) and are keen to support our staff to progress. Wework incredibly hard to support one another to improve the mental health of our community. Our localities cover large areas so you will need access to a vehicle and have the ability to travel efficiently across the county. We are looking for an experienced Mental Health Practitioner with a UK Professional Registration to join our MHST.
Main duties of the job
The Locality Clinical Lead should: Have a current and in date professional registration with a regulatory body (e.g. ACP, UKCP, HCPC, BABCP) Have substantial experience (more than 2 years, post qualification) working therapeutically with children and families with mental health needs. In depth knowledge and experience of evidence-based practice with children and families (including CBT). Experience of providing and receiving supervision (including CBT-informed practice). Clinical experience and in-depth understanding of effective use of routine outcome measures. Enthusiasm for and knowledge of early intervention and prevention including low intensity support for emotional wellbeing and mental health difficulties in an education context. Knowledge of evidence-based interventions for low mood, selfharm, anxiety and common behaviour difficulties in young children in education settings. Knowledge and understanding of whole school approaches to emotional wellbeing and mental health. Experience of providing consultation in education settings. Experience of service development and multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working. Hold evidence of ongoing continuing professional development in a relevant subject.
About us
NELFT NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and community services for over 4.9 million people living in the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, and across Essex. We work to ensure our patients, their friends and family, feel confident that their health needs are well met. With an excellent reputation for research and development, our skilled health professionals are at the cutting edge of evidence-based innovation, opening up the possibilities for better ways of working and delivery of care.
Details
- Date posted: 03 August 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 7
- Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: 3EL-001689
- Job locations: Skyline Plaza, Southend on Sea, Essex, SS2 6BB, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
Starting with NELFT NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Goodmayes, Essex.
Probationary Period This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).
Certificates of Sponsorship
Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points based system.
Use of AI
Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any 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.
Person specification
Other
Essential
- To be able to travel efficiently throughout the area
- To be aware and demonstrate the Trust Values
- Interest and ability to contribute to the MHST service development
- Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of multi-media materials suitable for presentations with clients and /or professionals
- Confident speaking with a range of audiences in different settings including education settings
- Motivated and innovative
Skills
Essential
- Ability to form good working relationships and work flexibly with others in multi-disciplinary and multi-agency settings
- Ability to apply psychological theory to understand complex interpersonal/organizational situations and to guide actions.
- Basic awareness of IT and IT skills
Knowledge
Essential
- An awareness of NHS priorities
- Skills in the assessment of mental health for children young people and their parents
- Ability to work autonomously
- High level skills in working with professional networks and the ability to advocate for and advance the mental health needs of parents and their children
- Ability to chair team meetings, undertake delegated management tasks and support the Clinical & Strategic Lead and Operational Manager in general team tasks/development as required
- Ability to form excellent working relationships with colleagues and work flexibly with others in multidisciplinary and multi-agency settings
- Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice
- Knowledge and skills in effective communication, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS (e.g. schools)
- Effectively manage a clinical caseload, complete outcomes measures routinely, update clinical records in line with team, service and Trust requirements
- Knowledge of the relevant clinical research literature and ability to apply it to field of parent/child mental health for each service area
- Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health, education and the Children Act and Child Protection
Experience
Essential
- Minimum two years post-qualification experience
- Experience of supervising CYPMHS clinicians and trainees
- Experience of working with evidence-based approaches to low mood, anxiety and behaviour problems
- Experience of using Routine Outcome Measures
- Experience of working with children, young people and parents presenting with a range of mental health difficulties and challenging behaviour
- Assessment, formulation and treatment of children and young people with mental health difficulties
- Experience of undertaking delegated leadership tasks and managing trainee staff effectively
- Experience of multidisciplinary and multiagency working and co-working assessments and treatment
- Ability to develop, manage and lead on outcomes data and data reporting for the service
- Experience of providing a culturally competent service
- Contributing to multidisciplinary team meetings and co-working assessments and treatment within clinic-based and education-based settings
- Experience in responding to safeguarding concerns
- High level knowledge of the theory and practice of evidence-based psychological interventions including CBT
- Skills in the assessment of mental health factors for young children and their parents
- Experience of delivering support and consultation to other professional groups (e.g. teachers)
Desirable
- Experience of working with other agencies outside of the NHS e.g. schools
- Experience of working with Health Visitors, Family Support Workers, SENCo, Teachers and Social Workers.
- Experience of whole school approaches to emotional wellbeing and mental health
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 2 or equivalent standard of literacy and numeracy
- Hold a current and in date core professional registration in Clinical / Educational / Counselling Psychologist, CBT Therapist or Family Therapist
- Professional training in an evidence-based therapeutic approach applicable to working with children, young people and families.
Demonstration of Trust Values
Essential
- Putting people first
- Prioritising quality
- Being progressive, innovative, and continually improve
- Being professional and honest
- Promoting what is possible – independence, opportunity, and choice
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for MHST Band 8a Locality Clinical Lead with North East London NHS Foundation Trust in Rainham, London, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £49387.00 to £56515.00. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 17 Aug 2026.
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