Job Description

Have you got experience of providing mental health support for children and young people and want to move into a rewarding career in East Sussex County Council (ESCC)? ESCC are recruiting a Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join Me & My Mind, Mental Health Support Team (MHST) in Eastbourne.
The MHST teams deliver evidence-based interventions based on the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach in schools. We work directly with children and young people aged 7-17 with mild to moderate mental health issues, and their parents and carers. We also work with schools to develop or enhance their whole-school approach to emotional health and wellbeing. As a Senior Mental Health Practitioner (SMHP), you will be working as part of a dynamic integrated mental health team. This approach requires creativity, flexibility, adaptability and above all, a passion for working with children and young people in educational settings. You will receive clinical supervision to support your interventions and have the opportunity to develop your practice.


The Senior Mental Health Practitioner will focus on providing day to day clinical and supervisory support for the Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs), maintain a caseload and deliver group interventions. The post-holder will also provide training and support to school staff, helping to embed whole-school approaches to mental health.


The role will be working alongside community partners and developing relationships between the MHST and educational settings and the post-holder will be responsible for supporting the development of the MHSTs and embedding their services within educational settings.


We are looking for candidates who have:


A core professional qualification relevant to mental health e.g. nursing with a specialism in mental health, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Educational Psychology, PWP, CWP, CBT or Low Intensity Psychological Practitioner. A qualification in leadership or supervision, or a willingness to commence if successful. Registration with a relevant professional body. Have a full driving licence or the ability to demonstrate how to meet the travel requirements of the role.
This is a hybrid role with some home working, one day at St Mary's in Eastbourne and travel to schools.


To apply for this role please click the 'apply now' button and upload a CV and covering letter outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as set out in the attached job description and person specification. You may wish to draw on any relevant work/life experience, education or personal interests.


For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page.


Please download the and Person Specification for more information.


Interviews will be held at County Hall, Lewes on Thursday 18th November 2025.


If you are unavailable on this day, let us know and we may be able to schedule an alternative date to interview you.


Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details.


The MHST team is always committed to the development of our staff, and we offer a range of CPD opportunities.


We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page .


Please contact mhst.info@eastsussex.gov.uk for any questions about the post or if you wish to arrange an informal discussion.



Additional Information



This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record . Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.



Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.



If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role. For further information please go to https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas



If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.