MHST Specialist - MIAT

We invite you to consider being involved in this exciting opportunity as a Mental Health Support Team Specialist within the MHST Improving Attendance Team (MIAT). Section 19 of the Education Act 1996 places a duty on Local Authorities to make suitable alternative education for children of compulsory school age who cannot attend school because of illness, exclusion or for any other reason and therefore the team's key aims are to support Children and Young People and the families whereby a child/ young person cannot attend school because of health needs, including mental health.

As part of the local authority's response, the MHST Improving Attendance Specialist team, under the leadership of the MHST Management Team, will play a crucial role in supporting schools within Nottingham City by providing intensive support, training, and coaching aimed at improving attendance and reducing persistent and severe absence rates. This role involves assisting school leaders in developing and maintaining a positive attendance culture, identifying early signs of attendance issues, and supporting and challenging pupils and their parents to unlock their academic and social potential. The specialist will oversee bespoke interventions to address environmental barriers affecting attendance, incorporating low-intensity CBT-informed approaches for mental health concerns, and provide clinical and case management supervision to team members. Additionally, the specialist will collaborate with school attendance teams, leaders, and officers to enhance attendance levels, maintain
effective communication with stakeholders, and ensure compliance with statutory frameworks using a solution-focused approach. The role also requires proactive early intervention, engagement with families, and flexibility to travel across various schools and education providers as needed.

As a Specialist, you will also lead and be responsible for clinical/practice supervision of Mental Health Practitioners and Family Support Workers within the team; providing consultation, advice, and training to other professionals; as well as delivering interventions directly to CYP and their families. We are looking for measured, inspiring, motivated, dynamic, experienced, forward-thinking practitioners who are flexible and able to work effectively with partners in education, multiagency partners, children, young people, and their families.

• Extensive experience of working with CYP and their families offering assessment and support for mental health difficulties.


• Relevant qualification in nursing, social care, psychology or equivalent such as CYPIAPT trained.


• Completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Low Intensity Supervision training or Accredited CBT Supervision qualification.


• Experience of working with families to improve attendance and educational outcomes including vulnerable families in challenging circumstances.


The post holder will be have skills enabling them to offer mental health assessments of young people, deliver therapeutic interventions, identify and manage mental health and safeguarding risks, coordinate appropriate support available and ensure up to date written care plans are in place.

Provide clinical and case management supervision to team members in both groups and one to one.

Liaise with and provide consultancy and support to the MHST and CAMHS Citywide teams and other agencies including education providers for the Trailblazer in managing the needs of clients with enduring mental health needs.

A DBS enhanced check for a regulated activity is required for this post.

We've got an exciting opportunity available for talented individuals to join our workforce - perhaps this is the opportunity you've been looking for? Read on to find out more…

Working for Nottingham City Council has great benefits. As well as competitive pay, great leave entitlement and access to a generous pension scheme, we strive to create an innovative, inclusive and progressive work culture where everyone is supported to do and be their very best.

In return, we are looking for people like you - people who are innovative, driven and committed to serving and improving Nottingham. So, if you are passionate about making a difference to the lives of those who live and work in our city, we want to hear from you.


• You can read more about the different benefits offered to colleagues working for Nottingham City Council here.