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Job Overview Drawing on advanced clinical expertise, the Specialist Practitioner will play a service-wide role within the Mental Health Support Teams in Schools (MHST), offering specialist knowledge and guidance to MHST colleagues, educational staff, and other stakeholders. In addition, it is essential that this role interplays with key system partners/services who support Children and Young People (CYP) with neurodevelopmental and ADHD behaviours. Their focus will be on enhancing understanding and effective responses to the needs of children and young people who present with neurodevelopmental challenges and/or behavioural communication.
The post holder will support with the implementation of evidence-based practices for children and young people with neurodiverse needs. They will work in collaboration with specialist services to ensure that children and young people receive high-quality support from the right service, at the right time.
A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle during work hours are essential requirements for this role.
Standard working hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. Requests for flexible working will be considered in line with organisational policy.
Contact Details Jessica Walford, Clinical Lead for Mental Health Support Teams in Schools, jessica.walford@nhs.net
Job Description Summary (Main Duties And Responsibilities)
The post holder will provide clinical leadership within the Mental Health Support Teams, using advanced assessment skills to inform care planning, referrals, and interventions. They will play a key role in developing and delivering a system-wide neurodevelopmental inclusion offer across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, supporting children and young people with or without formal diagnoses.
They will design and implement an integrated, evidence-based pathway covering prevention, early intervention, assessment, and access to specialist services, working closely with partner agencies and community services. The post includes delivering training, supervision, and consultation to MHST staff and education professionals, alongside supporting complex cases through joint appointments.
The post holder will contribute to service development, ensure high-quality standards through audits and KPIs, and support effective referrals to specialist services. They will also work directly with children and families, deliver school-based workshops, and oversee care provision within the SEND offer. Operational responsibilities include staff support, supervision, and leadership duties, promoting safe and effective service delivery. A strong focus on evidence-based practice, safeguarding, and inter-agency collaboration underpins this role.
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more details.
We may close the advert early, if we receive a sufficient number of applicants, so please apply as soon as possible.
About Us
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) provides a range of community health, mental health and learning disability services for people of all ages. Delivered through over 100 settings from inpatient wards to out in the community, our 6,500 staff serve over 1 million people living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
We aim to develop a workforce that reflects our community. We actively implement equal opportunities in employment and service delivery and seek people who share our commitment. We strongly encourage applications from all sections of the community, particularly from underrepresented groups.
Details of our benefits, leadership behaviours and other important information including AI in our recruitment process can be found in the Information for Applicants document attached.
We will consider requests to work alternative hours or varied working patterns in line with our flexible working policy.
For all substantive roles, new staff (excluding medical staff) are appointed subject to a 6-month probationary period (see Probation Policy).
All jobs will require permission to work in the UK.
For all jobs the cost of any DBS disclosure required will be met by the individual. This will be deducted from salary once started.
Applicants at risk within the local NHS who meet essential criteria will have preference for interview.