Senior Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner

Strategic Advocacy; Swindon; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A community mental health organization in Swindon seeks a candidate to support the mental well-being of children and young people (CYP). This role involves providing urgent mental health services, developing care plans, and collaborating with various community partners. The ideal applicant will possess strong intervention skills and a compassionate approach to care, ensuring high-quality support for CYP in need.

Qualifications

• Experience in providing direct urgent mental health support.
• Strong understanding of youth mental health challenges.
• Commitment to high-quality, compassionate care.

Responsibilities

• Provide urgent emotional support for CYP in crisis.
• Develop and implement individualized care plans.
• Collaborate with schools and community organizations.

Skills

Urgent intervention skills

De-escalation skills

Risk assessment skills

Compassionate care

Excellent communication skills

Leadership & management skills

Job description

The successful candidate will play a critical role in supporting the mental and emotional well‑being of CYP within our community. This position involves providing direct urgent mental health services, collaborating with families, emergency services, CAMHS, schools, and community organisations, and contributing to a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment for young people. The ideal candidate will have experience in providing direct urgent need mental health support, a strong understanding of the challenges faced by young people, and a commitment to delivering high‑quality, compassionate care.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Haven (Evening service) – In this part of the role you will be the lead support and responsible for providing direct urgent emotional support for CYP presenting significant critical safety needs and behaviours that challenge. After initial contact with one of our identified urgent / emergency service referral partners, the Haven service provides immediate intervention. This service supports CYP through highly targeted interventions with immediate care needs within the iTHRIVE model. Independently conduct rapid assessment of referred CYP against service inclusion / exclusion criteria in liaison with Police, Ambulance, ED and CAMHS, collaborate with these services to agree and coordinate ongoing safety on acceptance to service. Implement immediate mood regulation interventions and emotional support for CYP experiencing urgent mental health issues. Conduct rapid risk assessments and agree necessary collaborative interventions with referral partners to identify the severity of mental health need mitigate identified risks and develop appropriate, effective urgent high need safety plans. Deescalate and compassionately manage presenting CYPs potential behaviours that challenge. Report any identified safeguarding concerns of CYP and coordinate necessary actions to mitigate any immediate risks to self / others. Liaise with Caregivers and referral partners to ensure ongoing immediate safety of CYP post intervention and coordinate a safe return to home residence or work with partners to identify safe emergency accommodation. Develop and implement follow‑up care plans, including referrals to appropriate mental health services. Offer guidance and support to families and caregivers, helping them understand and effectively respond to the mental health needs of their children. Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date records, ensuring all interventions and plans are thoroughly documented.

Hubs (Day services) – This part of the role delivers emotional support to CYP in community settings including education settings, community centres and therapeutic spaces. This service supports CYP presenting with care needs within the iTHRIVE model. Develop individualised care plans based on assessments, considering the unique needs and circumstances of each child. Provide evidence‑based therapeutic interventions, including individual and group therapeutic interventions to CYP. Engage with children in various settings, including schools and community centres. Work closely with families as appropriate to offer guidance, education, and support in managing their child's mental health challenges. Provide training and resources to parents and caregivers to help them understand and address their child's mental health needs effectively. Collaborate with schools, healthcare providers, social services, and other community organisations to coordinate care and ensure a holistic approach to each child's well‑being. Advocate for the mental health needs of children and adolescents within the community, promoting awareness and reducing stigma. Respond to identified safeguarding concerns, providing immediate support and intervention to children and families in need. Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date records of assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and other relevant documentation.

Skills & Competencies required

Strong urgent intervention, de‑escalation and risk assessment skills. Understanding of emergency and urgent services and effective collaboration to mitigate identified risks. Resilience to highly demanding care environments. Compassionate when responding to significant behaviours that challenge. Excellent understanding of CYP mental health challenges and effective interventions. Adept coordinating emergency continuation plans such as facilitating safe return to home residence / emergency housing and hostels. Proficiency in maintaining detailed and accurate documentation. Familiarity with local mental health resources and services. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with children, families, and professionals. Leadership & management skills – Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Cultural competency and sensitivity to the diverse needs of the community.

Information Governance & Data Protection

Employees of ABL Health must comply with the provisions of GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. The post holder must not disclose any information relating to service users or employees, or of the lawful business practices of the organisation. The post holder will be required, when and where appropriate to the role, to comply with the processing of requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The post holder must comply with ABL’s policies that protect the information assets of the organisation from unauthorised disclosure, modification, destruction, inappropriate access or use. The post holder will be responsible for maintaining the clinical and corporate records that fall within the remit of this role to the standards in ABL’s records management policies, and data quality processes and standards. Health & Safety compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and proactive risk assessment of all situations. Safeguarding is Everyone’s Business – ABL has a responsibility to ensure that all children / young people and adults are adequately safeguarded and protected. All ABL employees, temporary staff and volunteers are required to adhere to ABL’s safeguarding policies / procedures in addition to local and national safeguarding policies and to act upon any concerns in accordance with them.

Equality, Diversity & Human Rights

ABL is an equal opportunities employer and aims to challenge discrimination, promote equality and respect human rights. It is the responsibility of every person to act in ways to support equality and diversity and to respect human rights, working within the spirit and detail of legislation including the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998.