Children & Young Person's Practitioner
We are seeking a compassionate practitioner to join our Children and Young Persons Service as maternity cover. In this role, you will provide evidence-based solution focused interventions to young people, helping them navigate challenges and improve their well-being.
Purpose of Post
CYP Practitioners are responsible for providing early intervention and guided self-help support to children and young people (CYP) aged 5-18, and up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs (SEN), experiencing mild to moderate mental health and emotional wellbeing difficulties. Practitioners will work across various settings, including schools, community venues and using digital platforms (e.g. Microsoft Teams) to deliver individual and group sessions focused on building resilience, improving wellbeing and increasing understanding of mental health.
The elements which overall comprise North Kent Mind's CYP Service are:
1. Psychoeducational presentations
2. Group support sessions
3. Individual support sessions
4. Project development and research
5. Networking and partnership working
6. Project management
7. Service monitoring and evaluation
*CYP Practitioners are deployed in elements 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 above.
CYP Practitioners may bring particular skills in group facilitation, individual wellbeing support, life coaching, therapeutic interventions (including creative approaches to wellbeing) or experience of working with children and young people in a variety of settings. The role contributes to the development, planning and delivery of North Kent Mind's CYP service provision and supports our mission to promote positive mental health.
Structure of the Post
CYP Practitioners report to the CYP Service Manager and receive regular supervision and training. They will be provided with structured resources and materials for session delivery, including evidence-based tools aligned with national guidance (e.g. i-THRIVE, NICE).
This is an all-year-round role, primarily aligned with school term times, as most delivery takes place in educational settings. CYP Practitioners will typically be assigned to fixed school(s) or projects to support consistency and relationship-building, but may also contribute to other areas of delivery based on service need. During school holidays or quieter periods, practitioners may support wider service activities such as resource development, triage, digital delivery, or project-based work.
Delivery occurs across Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley, and Medway, with the main office base being an open plan environment located in Chatham, Medway. All staff must be able and willing to travel as part of their role. Travel costs incurred as a result of the workload beyond the usual distance to the office are reclaimable as expenses in line with policies and procedures.
CYP Practitioner delivery hours fall between 8:30am and 4:30pm. Specific working days and times will be agreed based on school need and candidate availability following interview. Delivery will be primarily face-to-face/in person across schools, community venues or in our offices, with occasional online delivery where appropriate and agreed.
A: DUTIES OF THE POSTS: GENERAL
These duties apply to all North Kent Mind Staff:
1. To work within a framework which:
Abides by all the policies of North Kent Mind, including Equity and Equal Opportunities, Confidentiality, Health and Safety, Information Governance, GDPR.
· Promotes Social Inclusion, Empowerment, Well-being and the Recovery Model
· Respects, encourages and builds on individual clients' coping strategies, skills and autonomy.
· Maintains good liaison with any other outside agencies as is necessary
· Promotes good joint working, links and cross-referral with all North Kent Mind colleagues.
1. To participate in supervision and appraisal.
2. To attend staff meeting and service team meetings.
3. To attend training/meetings and some annual events as required.
4. To undertake any other duties which the CEO or Board of Trustees may, from time to time, reasonably delegate or assign.
B. DUTIES OF THE POSTS: SPECIFIC
North Kent Mind CYP Practitioners will:
Group Work / Presentations
* Deliver psychoeducational group sessions (typically 45–60 minutes), using approved templates from the shared resource folder or developing bespoke materials tailored to presenting needs.
* Use standardised outcome measures, e.g. Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), Child Outcome Rating Scale (CORS), to monitor impact.
* Prepare, set up and tidy session environments.
* Facilitate groups on themes such as anxiety, low mood, self-esteem and wellbeing.
* Record attendance and session delivery on the digital case management system (Lamplight).
* Provide signposting and follow-up support as required.
* Manage any emotional distress or safeguarding concerns during sessions in line with internal policy.
* Tailor sessions appropriately to the age and needs of participants.
* Gather participant feedback using internal feedback forms and uploading this to Lamplight for impact monitoring and evaluation
Individual Work
· Work with young people to identify personal goals and develop wellbeing strategies.
· Use a coaching-style, solution-focused approach to support CYP on a one-to-one basis.
· Provide guided self-help for issues such as anxiety, low mood, stress, low level self-harm or emotional regulation.
· Use standardised outcome measures, e.g. Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), Child Outcome Rating Scale (CORS), to monitor impact.
· Maintain accurate notes and case records on Lamplight.
· Respond appropriately to any risk, safeguarding, or escalation needs.
· Offer information, resources, and signposting to additional support services.
· Gather participant feedback using internal feedback forms and uploading this to Lamplight for impact monitoring and evaluation.
Note: Individual support is not therapy but guided self-help, using evidence-informed tools and techniques.
Development and Research
North Kent Mind CYP Practitioners will:
1. Support engagement with local schools, services, and community partners.
2. Maintain awareness of CYP legislation, safeguarding practice and best practice guidance.
3. Support with identifying gaps in provision or emerging needs
4. Contribute to the development of age-appropriate materials and resources.
5. Promote the service and projects within it at events and/or with local partners where appropriate.
Networking
North Kent Mind CYP Practitioners will be required to network with external agencies and represent North Kent Mind. This may involve:
1. Liaise with school staff, youth services and other professionals.
2. Promote partnership working using a 'joined-up care' approach
3. Participating in meetings, workshops, and forums where appropriate
4. Help to raise awareness for CYP mental health and promote the service
Additional flexibility
As a charity, North Kent Mind delivers a range of projects funded through time-limited and evolving funding streams. As such, funding arrangements may change during the course of employment. In response to these changes, CYP Practitioners may be redeployed to contribute to pilot programmes or other service areas that align with their skills and experience within the CYP department.
Examples of this may include supporting triage calls, helping to develop new resources, or assisting with other service-related tasks. Wherever additional responsibilities are identified, workloads will be balanced appropriately to ensure staff are supported and not overextended. Any changes or redeployment will be discussed in advance and managed collaboratively with the line manager to maintain staff wellbeing and service quality.
C. DUTIES OF THE POSTS – OPTIONAL
Where a CYP Practitioner has specialist skills (e.g. art-based interventions, lived experience, peer support), they may lead bespoke sessions or support the development of themed projects. These duties will be agreed in discussion with the CYP Manager.
Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 8 months
Pay: £12.87 per hour
Expected hours: 26.5 per week
Benefits:
* Bereavement leave
* Company pension
* Health & wellbeing programme
* Sick pay
Work Location: In person