Manchester Thrive Pathfinder

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is recruiting for M Thrive Hub Pathfinder roles to enable access to emotional wellbeing services for children, young people and carers in Manchester. The post involves mapping services, building partnerships and supporting communities to Thrive locally.

You will engage with families, conduct high‑level conversations, and help navigate complex pathways to community wellbeing offers, while upholding safeguarding standards and DBS requirements.

Qualifications

• NVQ level 4 or equivalent in youth work, psychology, or social sciences.
• Qualifications in Psychological Therapies (e.g. CBT / SFT/ IPT)

Responsibilities

• Help M Thrive team navigate young people, parents and carers seeking wellbeing support.
• Hold complex high‑level conversations with young people and families to promote engagement.
• Engage with referrals at the correct access point and manage expectations in sensitive conversations.

Skills

Thrive Framework understanding

Team collaboration

IT competency

Participatory approaches

Education

NVQ level 4 or equivalent in youth work/psychology/social sciences

Qualifications in Psychological Therapies (e.g. CBT/SFT/IPT)

Job description

Go back Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Manchester Thrive Pathfinder

The closing date is 21 September 2026

The Manchester (M) Thrive Hub is a single point of entry, a front door, to Manchester's Emotional Wellbeing Services. The M Thrive Hub Practitioners will work within one of the three Manchester locality M Thrive Hubs (North, Central, South).

The M Thrive Hub Pathfinder roles will include acting as enablers and systems supporters; providing advice, information and signposting to wellbeing services. The key aim of the M-Thrive strategy is to ensure that children, young people and carers are able to Thrive in their local communities.

M Thrive Hub Pathfinders will work to map and develop close working relationships with the whole range of local services in their area. This is to enable an integrated community response to meet the wellbeing needs of children, young people, families and carers . This will involve working along side all stake holders ,including children, young people and carers.

Main duties of the job

To help M Thrive team navigate young people, parent and carers who have not been accepted by your local emotional health and wellbeing services, but who need some wellbeing or support services.

To be able to hold complex and high level conversations with young people and families and have the ability to have a positive behaviour change with them in order for them to be able to access a community neighbourhood offer.

To have challenging conversations with young people and families that may arise from the referral being at the 'wrong front door', having to manage their expectations in a sensitive and hold potential contentious conversations, to engage them in a positive manner when the message needs to be understood and accepted to promote engagement.

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe - a great place to shape your career.With a workforce of over 30,000 colleagues, we work together to deliver exceptional care to more than 1 million people every year.Behind every patient cared for are people like you - keeping services running smoothly, supporting clinical teams, and helping create safe, welcoming environments for patients and our people alike.At MFT, we believe in the power of teamwork, respect, and inclusion. Our People Plan reflects our commitment to making MFT a place where everyone feels they belong, where your ideas are heard, and your contribution is truly valued. Join us and work smarter with our digital technology and thrive in a collaborative culture that empowers you to deliver your best to ensure that your work behind the scenes creates seamless, high-quality care and exceptional patient outcomes.Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, we offer clear pathways for development and a culture that supports your wellbeing, ambition, and success. Everything you do makes a real difference to the lives of others.At MFT, your role matters, your impact is real, and you're part of something bigger from day one.

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.

Diversity MattersMFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ level 4 or equivalent experience or qualification in youth work, psychology, or social sciences
• Qualifications in Psychological Therapies e.g. CBT / SFT/ IPT

Experience

• Experience of working with young people with mental health problems
• Experience of liaison with a range of agencies.
• Experience of delivering services in a community setting.
• Understanding of the principles of Clinical Governance and a willingness to follow Trust Policy and Procedures
• Experience of working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
• Experience in being part of developing new services / projects.
• Community mental health experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Ability

• Understanding of Thrive Framework
• Ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
• Understanding of working within a multi-cultural inner-city area
• Skills and knowledge in using participatory young person ways of working.
• Experience of delivering training
• Demonstrable therapeutic skills
• IT competent
• Knowledge and understanding of the research process

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

£28,392 to £31,157 a yearper annum, pro rata