Mental Health Practitioner

Compass; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days holiday

Life assurance 2x salary

Pension

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced sick pay

Learning & development

Annual salary review

Job summary

Compass is seeking a compassionate Mental Health Practitioner to support children and young people across Central and West Lancashire, working within educational settings.

You will collaborate with schools, families and multi-agency partners, delivering 1-to-1 and group interventions with a focus on safeguarding and risk assessment. Relevant EMHP/CYP IAPT/RMN qualifications are preferred, and DBS clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Hold EMHP, CYP IAPT, Registered Social Worker or Registered Mental Health Nurse qualifications.
• Experience delivering 1-to-1 therapeutic interventions with children, families and groups, including parenting programmes.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, education settings and risk assessment, including Gillick competence.

Responsibilities

• Deliver 1-to-1 and group mental health interventions with children and young people.
• Assess mental health, evaluate risk and take appropriate action.
• Collaborate with schools, families and multi-agency partners.
• Contribute to safeguarding and early support in educational settings.

Skills

EMHP

CYP IAPT

Registered Social Worker

Registered Mental Health Nurse

1-to-1 therapeutic interventions

Safeguarding & risk assessment

Education settings collaboration

Education

EMHP qualification

CYP IAPT training

RMN registration

Job description

Empowering young minds and changing futures.
You bring a blend of clinical expertise, compassion, and creativity, ready to meet children and young people where they are and help them move forward with confidence
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing service in Central and West Lancashire, where your impact will help shape and develop support for children and young people
You will need to be a qualified Mental Health Practitioner, confident in using therapeutic interventions like CBT or solution-focused techniques, and experienced in working with children, young people and families, especially those facing emotional or behavioural challenges
Natural collaborator, able to build trusted relationships with schools, families and multi-agency partners, and you understand the power of early support in educational settings. Safeguarding, risk management and communication come naturally to you, not as tick boxes, but as vital tools for building trust and safety
You are reflective, adaptable and committed to learning, with the drive to grow professionally and the values to guide others through difficult moments with hope and respect.
If you are excited by the chance to work in an amazing supportive, forward-thinking team and to use your skills to help children and young people thrive, we would love to hear from you.

About you
We are looking for a compassionate, motivated and skilled professional to join us as a Mental Health Practitioner. You will be passionate about improving mental health outcomes for children and young people, thrive in collaborative environments and be ready to make a real difference in educational settings.

Essential Criteria

• Hold a relevant qualification such as EMHP, CYP IAPT, Registered Social Work er or Registered Mental Health Nurse
• Experience delivering 1 to 1 therapeutic interventions with children, families and groups, including parenting programmes
• Ability to assess mental health, evaluate risk and take appropriate action
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, education settings and capacity and consent, including Gillick competence
• Experience supporting children with social, emotional or behavioural needs, including anxiety and mood disorders
• Excellent communication and organisational skills with a proactive and team focused approach

Additional qualifications such as a teaching degree or Youth Mental Health First Aid are helpful but not essential. Experience in education or healthcare settings, working with vulnerable groups and delivering group interventions would strengthen your application.
If you are an Education Mental Health Practitioner, we would also love to see an application and welcome you to be part of a growing service where you can make a lasting difference.

Benefits

Compass is committed to safeguarding children, young people and 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 and rehabilitation, early interventions for vulnerable young people, school-aged health programmes and associated prevention as well as treatment and 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, and encourage applications from people who have experiences in life which enrich skills and empathy. This is part of our commitment to equality and developing a truly inclusive and representative workforce.
We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, on commencement, or once in post.

Benefits

• 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 and OH service
• Enhanced sick pay
• Excellent learning and development opportunities and career progression
• Annual salary review

Help us to make a positive change to the lives of children and young people!

Closing Date: 15.11.2026