Nikki, Primary Mental Health Worker
Mindworks, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust
What is your role within the Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System?
I work for Mindworks as part of the integrated safe, effective and efficient School-Based Needs service to support children and young people with their emotional health and wellbeing.
I work in all mainstream schools within Waverley.
I chair the Waverley School Based Needs Cluster meeting. We meet every two weeks to make sure the needs of young people are met in the best way. Meeting regularly helps us to understand themes and issues that are affecting schools regarding emotional wellbeing and mental health.
I work with young people and parents on a 1:1 basis to support emerging to moderate mental health needs covering topics such as anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety related routines, emerging self-harm and tics.
I offer training to staff about OCD and tic presentation in young people. This training gives staff the opportunity to learn more about what these difficulties are and how to work with children who experience them.
How did you start out in your role?
After working Intensive Care for numerous years, I had a change in family circumstances and decided to look for a role that would allow me to support my family more. I got a grant through Virgin Care to complete a degree as a Specialist Community Nurse.
After a few years as a community school nurse, I transferred to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health service (CAMHS), now known as Mindworks as an Emotional Wellbeing School Nurse. I then progressed into a primary mental health role.
What entry-level jobs should someone pursue if they are looking to follow a similar career trajectory?
Mental health workers come from a wide range of backgrounds including nurses, social workers, Cognitive Behavioural Therapists and family therapists.
You are expected to have at least three years post qualifying experience working with children and their families who have mental health needs. It is also helpful to have experience of working with other agencies such as education and children’s services.
Experience in teaching or working with schools is welcome.
What skills are most important in your job?
A willingness to learn, develop and maintain your own caseload is essential. You'll also need to co-ordinate and work alongside other professionals to identify and meet the needs of the people you support.
You must be a safe practitioner and be able to identify and acknowledge your limitations, seeking advice and support when required.
What are the biggest challenges you face in your role?
The lack of community services for those young people and their families with neurodiversity and the related behaviours.
What are the biggest rewards in your role?
Seeing the positive outcomes from working 1:1 with young people.
Top tips for others thinking about working as a Primary Mental Health worker?
Gain some experience working with young people and mental health and learn about safeguarding and the trends seen in your community.
Be able to understand the needs of a young person who may have traits of Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) or Attention-deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the interventions that can support that young person.
Your next step on your career pathway?
In the next few years, I wish to work more with young people and safeguarding, looking at risks and interventions to support the young people.