21st July 2023
The Department of Education and NEPS have advertised the new position of Education Wellbeing/ Mental Health Practitioner as part of Strand 2 of the Department’s Pilot Programme of Counselling and Wellbeing/Mental Health supports in primary schools. The Cork ETB is now recruiting for these temporary positions on behalf of the Department of Education.
The Education Wellbeing/Mental Health Practitioners will work as part of a Wellbeing and Mental Health Support Team in 4 cluster areas in; Cork, Dublin 16, Dublin 7 & Carlow.
The pilot programme, which was announced by the Minister in response to an INTO campaign on childrens’ mental health comprises two strands:
Strand 1 – This strand will provide for one-to-one counselling to support small numbers of children experiencing mild to moderate levels of emotional distress. All primary schools in counties Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan and Tipperary will be included in this first strand.
Applications are currently open for registered counsellors to apply for inclusion on county panels. The application can be accessed here.
Strand 2 – This strand will see the establishment of a new type of support from Education Wellbeing/Mental Health Teams for clusters of primary schools. This strand will also see the introduction of Education Wellbeing/Mental Health Practitioners, who will work under the direction and supervision of NEPS. The focus of the support to be provided under Strand 2 is on strengthening whole-school preventative approaches.
The Education Wellbeing/Mental Health Practitioner is an exciting new role, specifically created for this pilot. It is modelled on a similar type of support which has been introduced in the UK. Successful applicants will work in schools to support children with low-level mental health difficulties, providing evidence based low intensity interventions based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
The practitioners will ideally be graduates from courses in psychology, education or social science. It is hoped that they may have additional experience working with children or young people in schools or other settings. They will require additional training which will be provided by NEPS psychologists and their ongoing work in schools will be under the supervision and direction of NEPS.
They will also support schools on initiatives aimed at promoting wellbeing and preventing mental health problems at a whole school level. They may also work directly with pupils, parents and teachers.
How to apply: Cork ETB operates an on-line recruitment system. Application forms and full details of the vacancies may be found on www.corketb.ie and follow the link to the Recruitment website, click on the Search/Register Here link, and then to the role of Education Wellbeing/Mental Health Practitioner.
Completed application forms must be submitted online on the Cork ETB recruitment portal no later than 12 noon on Friday the 4th of August 2023.