Please note that interviews for this post will take place W/C the 2nd November 2020.

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 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.

With 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

* Provide a specialist social work mental health assessment and treatment service for children, young people, their families and carers, using a range of therapeutic options.
* Assess children's and young people's suitability for services and take part in their planning and review processes.
* 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 social work issues, perspectives and frameworks, to other professionals.
* Initiate and support new and innovative ways of working, projects and groups to engage children, young people and their families in partnership with C&F colleagues, other front line 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.
* 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, Strategy Meetings, Legal Case Discussions, Child Protection conferences and Statutory Reviews (as applicable).
* Build strong working relationships across the Council, members of other statutory and organisations and voluntary agencies.
* Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

* Possesses an accredited degree or diploma level, professional qualification in at least one of the following; youth and community, social work, mental health nursing, occupational therapy, special educational needs and teaching, or probation.
* 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 Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) if appropriate.
* 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 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.