Mental Health Co-ordinator

Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting the development and wellbeing of children, young people and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners delivering a range of early help, family support and effective social work interventions which build resilience, remove barriers and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.

The role

The Mental Health Coordinator will ensure an easy access and direct mental health service for children and young people, who are suffering emotional and mental health difficulties and for their families and carers. This position involves advising qualified, experienced social workers and social work managers on children and families’ mental and emotional health issues.

The successful candidate will have an accredited professional qualification (see Skills, Knowledge and Experience) and evidence of excellent clinical practice, participation in casework, recording and assessment. Strong partnership working is essential for this role as it will operate in a multi-agency environment.

Service/Functional Accountabilities

· Provide a specialist mental health assessment and treatment service for children, young people, their families and carers, using a range of therapeutic options. This post will also be involved in the assessment of fostering placement needs for both children and foster carers.

· Assess children’s and young people’s suitability for mental health and emotional wellbeing services and take part in their planning and review processes.

· Work collaboratively with Children & Families colleagues to offer advice, support, consultation and training around their work with children and carers within the quadrant.

· Initiate and support new and innovative ways of working, projects and groups to engage carers, children, young people and their families in partnership with Children & Families colleagues, other frontline professionals and third sector partners.

· Raise knowledge and awareness of children and young people’s mental health issues and preventative strategies across Children & Families colleagues.

· Responsible for maintaining up-to-date records of activity on case files, produce reports, attend court and give verbal presentations as required. Actively participate in case discussions, professionals’ meetings, team around the child / placement meetings, strategy meetings and statutory reviews (as applicable).

· Build strong working relationships across the Council and with members of other statutory organisations and voluntary agencies.

· Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

· Possesses an accredited degree or diploma level professional qualification in at least one of the following: psychotherapy / mental health youth and community work or social work.

· Evidence of significant continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area, delivering assurance around practice and participation in casework, recording and supervision with current membership of relevant professional order / association.

· Significant experience of working in a recognised model of therapeutic intervention with children, adults and families.

· Evidence of direct engagement with young people and adults, with successful delivery of 1-1, group and indirect interventions.

· Significant experience of building strong partnerships, which are collaborative and influential in their nature and engender delivery.

· Deep knowledge and understanding of vulnerability and safeguarding protocols.

· Experience of developing and delivering bespoke training and consultancy.

· Evidence of being a catalyst for change, early in young people’s lives.

To read more about our business area, please visit: Children & Families

Please take a look at our ‘No Magic’ Children & Families video

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex . With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. As part of our team, we kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, not only during the recruitment process but also throughout your time with us. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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