Mental Health Practitioner

Compass; Remote; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A national charity is seeking a Mental Health Practitioner to improve mental health outcomes for children and young people. The role involves delivering therapeutic interventions and conducting assessments remotely, with some travel. Ideal candidates will possess relevant qualifications and a desire to make a difference in children's lives. The position offers flexibility and requires strong collaboration skills with schools and families, alongside expertise in safeguarding and risk management.

Benefits

27 days holiday + bank holidays

Life assurance at 2 x basic salary

Competitive contributory pension scheme

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Qualified Mental Health Practitioner with expertise in therapeutic interventions.
• Experience in working with children and families facing emotional challenges.
• Strong knowledge in safeguarding and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Deliver 1:1 therapeutic interventions with children and families.
• Conduct mental health assessments and evaluate risks.
• Collaborate with schools and multi-agency partners.

Skills

Clinical expertise

Compassion

Therapeutic interventions

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

EMHP, CYP IAPT, Registered Social Worker, or Registered Mental Health Nurse

Job description

Empowering young minds and changing futures.

You're someone who cares deeply about making a difference not just for today, but for a young person’s entire future.

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.

You’ll 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.

But it’s not just about what you know, it’s how you connect. You’re a 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’re 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’re 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’d love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a compassionate, motivated, and skilled professional to join us as a Mental Health Practitioner. You’ll 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. This role is remote with occasional travel. All interventions with children, young people & families will be delivered remotely.

• Hold a relevant qualification such as EMHP, CYP IAPT, Registered Social Worker, or Registered Mental Health Nurse.
• Proven ability to deliver 1:1 therapeutic interventions with children, families, and groups, including parenting programs.
• Experience conducting mental health assessments, evaluating risks, and taking appropriate action.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, educational environments, and capacity and consent issues, including Gillick competence.
• Experience supporting children with social, emotional, or behavioural difficulties, anxiety, and mood disorders.
• Exceptional communication and organisational skills, with a self‑motivated, team‑focused approach.

Additional qualifications such as a teaching degree, Youth Mental Health First Aid training, or an advanced degree are welcomed but not essential. Experience in healthcare or education settings, working with vulnerable groups, and monitoring outcomes would further enhance your application.

About us

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.

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 and OH service
• Excellent learning & development opportunities and career progression
• Annual performance/salary review

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

Job responsibilities

• Hold a relevant qualification such as EMHP, CYP IAPT, Registered Social Worker, or Registered Mental Health Nurse.
• Proven ability to deliver 1:1 therapeutic interventions with children, families, and groups, including parenting programs.
• Experience conducting mental health assessments, evaluating risks, and taking appropriate action.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, educational environments, and capacity and consent issues, including Gillick competence.
• Experience supporting children with social, emotional, or behavioural difficulties, anxiety, and mood disorders.
• Exceptional communication and organisational skills, with a self‑motivated, team‑focused approach.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Core professional &/or clinical qualification (e.g. EMHP, CWP, PMHW) with associated professional registration as appropriate.
• Experience of working with CYPF facing mental & emotional health challenges
• Youth Mental Health First Aid trained.

Experience

• Experience of working therapeutically with CYP with mild to moderate mental health needs.
• Experience of delivery of evidenced based psychological intervention for anxiety and low mood in children and young people.
• Experience supporting CYPF to improve skills, knowledge & confidence in the self‑management of mild mental health & emotional wellbeing issues.
• Knowledge of safeguarding issues
• Knowledge of capacity and consent issues including Gillick competence
• Experience of working with children and young people, their families and others
• Experience of working and liaising with a wide variety of agencies and stakeholders
• Experience of monitoring and recording outcome measures for childrens emotional wellbeing
• Experience of working in education, communities and/or social systems and environments, who may have conflicting priorities or agendas
• Experience of working with looked after children
• Experience of working with other vulnerable groups

Additional Criteria

• Ability to carry out 1:1 therapeutic emotional wellbeing interventions with children
• Ability to carry out 1:1 therapeutic emotional wellbeing advice and support with familiesAbility to take appropriate action to mitigate or manage risk
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Able to work all year round and flexibly as part of a team to best meet business need.
• Ongoing commitment to maintain professional registration requirements.

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.