Mental Health Practitioner (Schools/Community, Maternity Cover)

Manchester Mind; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Manchester Mind in Manchester is seeking a Mental Health Practitioner to develop a youth-focused service across secondary schools and community settings, including home-based work as required. You will build relationships with staff, pupils, families and partners to improve mental health outcomes for young people.

This maternity-cover, part-time role (24 hours per week, 12-month contract) reports to the Services Manager CYP and Counselling and aims to embed accessible support within schools and

Qualifications

• Graduate-level qualification in Social Work, Counselling or Youth & Community Work.
• At least two years’ experience with young people aged 11–18.
• Experience providing individual support to stressed young people.
• Awareness of the impact of mental health on young people.
• Desirable: psycho-social support with learning disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop a youth-focused service for schools and community.
• Build relationships with schools, community partners and staff.
• Deliver individual support to young people in need.

Skills

Youth work experience

Mental health awareness

Psycho-social support

Team collaboration

Education

Social Work / Counselling / Youth & Community Work (graduate level)

Job description

Mental Health Practitioner (Schools/Community, Maternity Cover)

Manchester Mind believe in the power of listening and being heard, that everyone deserves to be supported in their mental health needs and that we have a part to play in that.

We are working with partners and schools to increase access to support to young people around their mental health. As part of this role, you will be responsible for developing a service for young people predominately across a selection of secondary schools and in the community. You’ll be part of a team that is developing relationships with young people and staff within schools, the community and across the partnership with the aim of improving the mental health of young people.

Position: Mental Health Practitioner (Schools/Community, Maternity Cover)

Hours: 24 hours per week (3 days)

up to 12-month contract starting Jan 2027

(covering maternity leave)

Base: Manchester Mind CYP Service / predominately working across schools/community and home-based as required

Reporting to: Manchester Mind, Services Manager CYP and Counselling

The skills and knowledge that are important to us are:

• A relevant professional qualification in Social Work, Counselling, or Youth & Community Work (at graduate level).


• At least two years’ experience of working with young people aged 11-18.


• Experience in providing effective individual support to young people who are under stress/have mental health difficulties.


• Awareness of the impact of mental health on the lives of young people.


• Experience of delivering psycho-social support to young people with learning disabilities. (DESIRABLE)

The closing date for applications will be 9am on Monday 23 rd November 2026and interviews will take place on Tuesday 1 st December 2026 at Victoria House.

Manchester Mind is striving to be an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Manchester Mind sees it as a positive advantage if you have experience of mental health issues and/or have used mental health services, or had experience of volunteering.

Registered Charity in England 1102058 | Registered Company in England & Wales 4738057