At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide meaningful support and guidance to children and families in mental health.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on improving mental health services in Swindon.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people and their families.
- Qualifications: Experience in phone-based assessments and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Overview
The SPA Practitioner will play a pivotal role in delivering responsive, person-centred care to children, young people and families across Swindon. Working within a Single Point of Access model, this role will provide meaningful telephone consultations to all appropriate referrals, ensuring each contact receives timely, relevant guidance or signposting to local mental health and wellbeing services. This role requires individuals who can assess presenting needs, hold supportive conversations, and direct children, young people and families to the most appropriate pathways within BEU or services across the local landscape.
Working closely with other professionals in education, health and community services, the SPA Practitioner will ensure a smooth and informed journey for families navigating emotional wellbeing support. This role will require excellent risk assessment and management skills in relation to positive risk taking and decision making to enable safe and effective responses to CYP and their families. We are seeking applicants who thrive in a busy environment, who stay calm under pressure, and excel at coordination and adapting to change.
The successful candidate will work closely with families to provide guidance, education, and support in managing children and young people’s (CYP) mental health needs. The role involves triaging and screening referrals, making informed clinical and pathway decisions, and carrying out assessments and safety calls with CYP and their families. You will hold a small active caseload, offering tailored support and providing practical resources to parents and caregivers. Working collaboratively with schools, healthcare professionals, social services, and community organisations, you will help ensure a coordinated and holistic approach to care.
Responsibilities also include monitoring access and outcomes, particularly for marginalised or vulnerable groups, responding to safeguarding concerns with appropriate interventions, and contributing to service improvement. You will stay up to date with developments in child and adolescent mental health through ongoing training, participate in supervision and peer support, and engage with local communities to raise awareness of available services. The role also requires participation in an on-call rota, including evenings and weekends, and a flexible approach to support the evolving needs and priorities of the service.
Responsibilities:
- Experience in delivering phone-based assessments or support within a health, education or social care context.
- Strong understanding of the local support landscape or willingness to rapidly develop this knowledge.
- Ability to listen actively and communicate effectively, showing empathy and cultural sensitivity.
- Ability to assess levels of need, manage risk, and provide appropriate signposting or escalation.
- Proficiency with digital systems, including client management systems and Microsoft Office.
- Cultural competency and sensitivity to the diverse needs of the community.
- Confidence to work independently while contributing to a wider multidisciplinary team.
Mental Health Practitioner (Single Point of Access) in London employer: ABL Health
Contact Detail:
ABL Health Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Mental Health Practitioner (Single Point of Access) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the local mental health landscape! Familiarise yourself with the services available in Swindon. This will help you confidently signpost families to the right support when you get that call.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your active listening skills. When you're on the phone, it’s all about making the other person feel heard and understood. Show empathy and be ready to adapt your approach based on their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay calm under pressure! The role can get hectic, so practice techniques to manage stress. Remember, a clear mind helps you make better decisions for the children and families you’re supporting.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Mental Health Practitioner (Single Point of Access) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Mental Health Practitioner role. Highlight your experience in phone-based assessments and your understanding of the local support landscape. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Empathy: In your application, emphasise your ability to listen actively and communicate effectively. Share examples that demonstrate your empathy and cultural sensitivity, as these are key traits we value at StudySmarter when working with children, young people, and families.
Highlight Your Digital Skills: Since proficiency with digital systems is important for this role, make sure to mention any relevant experience you have with client management systems or Microsoft Office. We love seeing candidates who are tech-savvy and can adapt to our digital tools!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you're keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at ABL Health
✨Know Your Local Support Landscape
Before the interview, take some time to research the local mental health services available in Swindon. Understanding the resources and pathways will not only show your commitment but also help you answer questions about signposting effectively.
✨Demonstrate Empathy and Communication Skills
Prepare examples that showcase your ability to listen actively and communicate with empathy. Think of situations where you’ve had to support someone in distress, and be ready to discuss how you handled those conversations.
✨Showcase Your Risk Assessment Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience with risk assessment and management. Prepare to explain how you would approach assessing needs and making decisions in high-pressure situations, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Teamwork
This role requires adaptability and collaboration. Share experiences where you successfully worked within a team or adapted to changing circumstances, especially in busy environments. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive under pressure.