Job Purpose

Children and Families service is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting 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 Mental Health Coordinator will have an accredited professional qualification and evidence of excellent 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

* Work collaboratively with C&F colleagues to offer advice, support and consultation, in their work with children within the quadrant.
* Deliver advice, support and consultation in respect of mental and emotional wellbeing issues, perspectives and frameworks, to other professionals.
* Initiate and support new and innovative ways of working, projects and groups to engage children, young people in partnership with C&F 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 C&F colleagues.
* Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

* 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 their professional body of reference.
* Significant experience of working in a recognised model of therapeutic intervention with children and families.
* Evidence of direct engagement with young people, with successful delivery of 1-1 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 mental health, vulnerability and safeguarding protocols.
* Experience of developing and delivering bespoke training and consultancy.
* Evidence of being a catalyst for change, early in young peoples' lives.

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.