Mental Health Lead

About the School

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is a co-educational independent day and boarding school in Hertfordshire for pupils aged 2 to 18. Established in 1749, the school has a strong pastoral ethos and a family feel. Further information can be found on the school website: stmargarets-school.org.uk.

The Role

Reporting to: Director of Safeguarding
Hours: Full time (8.00–5.00) Term time only + 2 weeks (including evening and weekend work)
Start Date: September 2026

We are seeking a professional with substantial experience in mental health or safeguarding to provide strategic leadership in mental health and wellbeing across the school. The successful candidate will have strong experience in mental health practice, ideally within education or child and adolescent settings, and a solid understanding of trauma-informed approaches.

Job Description

• Lead the design and implementation of student support provision across the school.
• Manage the Wellbeing Team, including Deputy Mental Health Lead, welfare officer, counsellors, and therapeutic provisions.
• Develop and oversee the wellbeing strategy for the whole school.
• Conduct clinical assessments and one-to-one therapeutic work with students.
• Provide clinical supervision to therapeutic staff.
• Develop staff awareness and training on mental health and wellbeing.
• Liaise with parents, external agencies (GPs, CAMHS, psychiatrists), and school staff.
• Monitor impact through data analysis and reporting.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• Training in a mental health field at graduate/post-graduate/doctoral level or related field (e.g., social care/youth work).
• Registration with HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist, or registered with BACP or similar.

Essential Experience

• Minimum 6 years’ experience as a qualified Clinical Psychologist/psychotherapist or equivalent in a related field.
• Extensive experience providing clinical/therapeutic intervention with children, young people, and families.
• Experience of training, consultation, and supervision.
• Experience in an education setting.

Skills & Attributes

• Skills in complex psychological assessment and intervention.
• Ability to communicate complex information effectively.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• Personable and approachable for students.
• Able to manage sensitive information with discretion.

How to Apply

The closing date for applications is Friday 1 May at 17:00. Interview date: Monday 11 May. Suitable candidates may be interviewed before the closing date. To apply, please submit an application form along with a covering letter. The application form is available online at stmargarets-school.org.uk/work-with-us. Please include current salary details and the names and addresses of two referees. We are unable to accept CVs. For an initial discussion, please contact [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]. [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.