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 (MHC) 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. The Mental Health Coordinator will also offer consultation and support to social workers and key professionals around aspects of developmental trauma and exploring ways to support the child.

With an accredited professional qualification, a minimum of 2 years post qualifying experience 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.

MHCs come from a range of professional disciplines and provide mental health expertise, advice and consultations to their teams of reference and to service users. Their role also encompasses liaison with mental health services providers, as well as assessment and therapeutic interventions for children, young people, carers and families. This role requires the post holder to have experience in providing services in a similar setting.

Ways in which MHCs are currently working are:

• MHCs meet together within a quadrant on a set day/time each week and discuss referrals received and how they will be taken forward
• MHCs hold consultations with social workers and supervising social workers on cases
• MHCs provide support to teams through group supervision/reflection sessions
• MHCs will be involved in liaising with mental health services and appropriate agencies according to service area and the issues within particular cases
• MHC's Plan and deliver appropriate therapeutic interventions for CIC or Care Leavers that do not meet the EWHMS/FCAMHS/EPUT threshold
• MHC's have consultations with social workers on cases that present with emerging emotional and mental health problems including when the social worker is considering a referral to EWHMS/EPUT to determine whether such a referral is appropriate
• In conjunction with the social worker, liaise with school and other agencies either to source appropriate therapeutic support or to advise on strategies for managing behaviour
• In conjunction with the social worker/personal advisor liaise with EPUT or mental health hospital staff where appropriate
• Provide support to the four weekly drop-ins or other youth events if appropriate and agreed by the team manager/service manager

Service/Functional Accountabilities

• Provide a specialist social work mental health assessment, formulation 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.

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 and experience of providing mental health support.
• 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) / Social Work England 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, trauma 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.