Education Mental Health Practitioner

Compass Changing Lives; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days holiday + bank holidays

Life assurance at 2 x basic salary

Contributory pension scheme

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme &OH

Enhanced sick pay

Learning & development opportunities

Annual salary review

Job summary

Compass is recruiting Education Mental Health Practitioners to work directly with children and young people in schools, helping them understand emotions, build resilience and feel more in control of their lives.

You will deliver evidence-based support for mild to moderate mental health needs, advise teachers and families, and help embed a whole‑school approach to emotional health. Training and supervision are provided.

Qualifications

• Recognised qualification as an Education Mental Health Practitioner.
• Experience delivering CBT or solution‑focused work.
• Knowledge of safeguarding & capacity frameworks, incl. Gillick competence.
• Experience with children/young people, ideally in education or health.
• Confidence in managing risk and maintaining clear records.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support to children and young people in schools to understand emotions, build resilience and feel in control.
• Deliver evidence‑based mental health support for mild to moderate needs.
• Advise teachers and support whole‑school wellbeing initiatives.
• Build relationships with families and professionals to embed a whole‑school approach.
• Share knowledge, provide supervision and contribute to a compassionate, values‑driven team.

Skills

CBT techniques

Communication

Safeguarding knowledge

Travel between sites

Relationship building

Education

Education Mental Health Practitioner qualification

Job description

About The Role

Want to be a part of a team that is on the frontline of Children`s & Young People's mental health? If you do then this is an exciting & rewarding role where no two days feel the same. As an Education Mental Health Practitioner, you will work directly with children & young people in schools, helping them to understand their emotions, build resilience & feel more in control of their lives. You will deliver evidence based support for pupils with mild to moderate mental health needs, using your skills to make a real & lasting impact. Whether you are supporting someone through anxiety, low mood or life’s everyday pressures, your work will help them feel safer, stronger & more connected. But this role is about more than one to one work. You will also be a key part of each school’s wider wellbeing culture. That means advising teachers, supporting families & helping embed a whole school approach to emotional health. You will share your knowledge, build relationships & play a vital role in making mental health support more visible & more effective. You will be part of a committed, friendly & values driven team. You will receive high quality supervision, ongoing training & space to grow your practice. If you are looking for a role that is hands on, meaningful & full of purpose, this is it. Join us & become part of a team that champions compassion, resilience, & innovation. Together, we’ll create a brighter, healthier future for our young people.

About You

You care about helping young people feel heard, understood & supported. You are calm under pressure, clear in your communication & confident working in busy school environments. Above all, you are someone who brings compassion, curiosity & consistency to the work you do.

You will need:

• A recognised qualification as an Education Mental Health Practitioner
• Experience delivering therapeutic interventions such as CBT or solution focused work
• Knowledge of safeguarding & capacity frameworks, including Gillick competence
• Experience working with children or young people, ideally in an education or health setting
• Confidence managing risk & maintaining clear records
• Strong communication skills, especially when working with families, schools & professionals
• The ability to travel between school sites, with access to a vehicle or suitable alternative

You might also bring experience working with vulnerable groups, such as children in care or those facing emotional & behavioural challenges. You may have delivered group interventions or supported staff learning in schools. But what matters most is your values, your mindset & your commitment to doing the right thing.

We are hiring for several positions to cover the following areas:

Landau Forte College DE1 2LF

Kingmead DE1 3TQ

About Us

Compass is committed to safeguarding children, young people & vulnerable adults. Established for over 30 years, Compass is a national charity which works in communities across the UK providing services spanning substance misuse treatment & rehabilitation, early interventions for vulnerable young people, school aged health programmes & associated prevention as well as treatment & health promotion initiatives.

All Compass posts are subject to appropriate level DBS checks.

We positively encourage applications from all members of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age, or sexual orientation, & encourage applications from people who have experiences in life which enrich skills & empathy. This is part of our commitment to equality & developing a truly inclusive & representative workforce.

We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, on commencement, or once in post.

Benefits

We offer a range of benefits including:

• 27 days holiday + bank holidays, rising to 32 days over time (pro rata)
• Life assurance at 2 x basic salary
• Competitive contributory pension scheme
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme & OH service
• Enhanced sick pay
• Excellent learning & development opportunities & career progression
• Annual salary review

Closing Date

15.09.26

Interview Date

24.09.26 at our Derby Office

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