Emotional Health Worker

YMCA DOWNSLINK GROUP; Worthing; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A youth support organization in Worthing is looking for an Emotional Mental Health Worker to provide essential support for young people aged 11-25. The role involves delivering evidence-based interventions and facilitating well-being sessions. Candidates should have experience in safeguarding and a solid understanding of the challenges faced by socially excluded youth. This position is part-time at 15 hours per week and requires relevant training or qualifications in youth work. Join a team committed to nurturing the mental health of our community’s youth.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of issues facing young people, especially those socially excluded.
• Experience in safeguarding children and young people.
• Ability to support appropriate mental health pathways.

Responsibilities

• Offer 7 sessions of support to each young person.
• Lead facilitation of emotional well-being groups.
• Support young people transitioning from specialist services.

Skills

Knowledge of issues facing young people

Experience in safeguarding children

Ability to support mental health pathways

Training in emotional wellbeing interventions

Understanding of short-term support models

Job description

15 hours per week / £26,765 per annum pro rata / fixed term until 31 March 2027 / working two days a week, Tuesday 10‑6pm & Friday 10‑6pm

Our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, increasing life skills and self‑confidence, and improving emotional wellbeing and mental health.

We are recruiting for an Emotional Mental Health Worker to support young people aged 11‑25 living in Worthing and surrounding areas.

Mind The Gap Emotional Health Support offers young people an alternative way of accessing mental health support. The service offers support to young people who are struggling to find or engage with the right services. This support offer is youth-work based non‑clinical support. Working primarily from Worthing Library, you will deliver face‑to‑face sessions using evidence‑based interventions to engage, educate and empower young people around issues affecting their emotional wellbeing.

Key responsibilities:

• Offer 7 sessions of support to each young person, including initial needs assessment and weekly sessions
• Lead on facilitation of emotional well‑being and psycho‑educational groups
• Support young people transitioning from specialist CAMHS/AMHS services
• Work systemically with parents/carers, educators, and health professionals
• Develop links with agencies and make appropriate referrals
• Promote service user participation and voice
• Comply with safeguarding, health & safety, data protection and EDI policies

Qualifications, knowledge, and experience

• Knowledge of issues facing young people, especially those socially excluded
• Experience in safeguarding children and young people
• Ability to support appropriate mental health pathways
• Training in emotional wellbeing interventions or qualification in youth work
• Understanding of short‑term support models

For further information or an informal discussion about this post, please contact [e-mail]. If you require any assistance with our application process, email us at [e-mail].

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 28 December 2025 at midnight.

We are not able to support a work permit or offer a visa sponsorship for this role. Candidates must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace

We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment.

Accessibility

If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (including the Children’s and Adults’ barred lists) check, along with a reference and background check carried out by a third‑party service provider.