Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a year-long secondment into a clinical lead role across Hampshire MHSTs (as part of the wider HIOWH MHST provision). This is a fantastic opportunity to support the development of MHST as we expand across increasing school numbers over the coming year.

You will have the opportunity to work as part of the MHST leadership group and share your voice in regard to local geographical needs. We are looking for someone who is passionate about early intervention, working with school communities and advocating on behalf of our MHST teams, partnership agencies, young people, schools and families. Knowledge of MHSTs is essential as supervision and governance support will be key areas of the role.

In partnership with operational colleagues, this role also brings an opportunity to oversee the implementation of the Whole School Approach (WSA) offer in Hampshire. This is well embedded with clear governance systems in place. Alongside other clinical leads there will be opportunity to support the development of the workforce including psychological practitioners and practitioner psychologists (where relevant).

The post is advertised as full-time but we will consider part-time and flexible working requests. The position will be based in the Hampshire locality for administrative and day-to-day purposes, although work on the WSA and wider leadership responsibilities require flexibility to travel county-wide, including to Southampton and Portsmouth.

Main duties of the job

HIOWH NHS Foundation Trust currently has over 20 MHST teams working with children, young people, schools and multi-agency partners across our geography including on the Isle of Wight, and in Southampton, Portsmouth and Hampshire. This service is set to expand significantly over the coming three years.

The development of these services is in line with commitments set out in the NHS 10 Year Health Plan for England.

MHSTs work with school and college age children up to 18 years of age, and are a school and college-based service. Therefore, the majority of work and interventions will be completed within an education setting, face to face with young people.

Trust sites are also available to use, particularly during school holidays.

MHSTs work in close alignment with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and with other partners including school nursing, public health, educational psychology, and inclusion and learning support teams to name a few.

The post holder, under supervision and with support, would offer sound knowledge and practice skills in delivering evidence-based interventions for children and young people in education settings with mild to moderate mental health problems. The post holder would also be supporting and facilitating staff in education settings to identify and where appropriate manage issues related to mental health and wellbeing through consultation and advice.

About us

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides joined-up mental and physical healthcare for around two million people across our communities. With over 13,000 staff working in the community and local hospitals, we deliver care at every stage of life, helping people live their best and healthiest lives.

Our mental health services include community-based support and early intervention in psychosis (EIP) for both adults and young people, alongside a network of specialist inpatient wards covering forensic, learning disability, eating disorder and older person's care.

We deliver extensive physical health services too, from urgent community response teams helping frail and older patients remain safely at home, to hospitals at home teams providing acute-level care in familiar surroundings. Our neurological services offer rehabilitation and treatment for conditions including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Motor Neurone Disease, Head Injury, Cerebral Palsy and Stroke. Across Hampshire, our community hospitals provide inpatient rehabilitation as a step down from acute care, and our dedicated teams also staff Treetops Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Portsmouth, offering expert, compassionate support.

Everything we do is underpinned by our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect and excellence