Mental Health Practitioner (Single Point of Access)

Overview

TheSPAPractitionerwillplayapivotalroleindeliveringresponsive,person-centredcaretochildren,youngpeopleandfamiliesacrossSwindon.WorkingwithinaSinglePointofAccessmodel,thisrolewillprovidemeaningfultelephoneconsultationstoallappropriatereferrals,ensuringeachcontactreceivestimely,relevantguidanceorsignpostingtolocalmentalhealthandwellbeingservices.

Thisrolerequiresindividualswhocanassesspresentingneeds,holdsupportiveconversations,anddirect

children,youngpeopleandfamiliestothemostappropriatepathwayswithinBEUorservicesacrossthelocallandscape.Workingcloselywithotherprofessionalsineducation,healthandcommunityservices,theSPAPractitionerwillensureasmoothandinformedjourneyforfamiliesnavigatingemotionalwellbeingsupport.

ThisrolewillrequireexcellentriskassessmentandmanagementskillsinrelationtopositiverisktakinganddecisionmakingtoenablesafeandeffectiveresponsestoCYPandtheirfamilies.Weareseekingapplicantswhothriveinabusyenvironment,whostaycalmunderpressure,andexcelatcoordinationandadaptingtochange.

Thesuccessfulcandidatewillworkcloselywithfamiliestoprovideguidance,education,andsupportinmanagingchildrenandyoungpeople’s(CYP)mentalhealthneeds.Theroleinvolvestriagingandscreeningreferrals,makinginformedclinicalandpathwaydecisions,andcarryingoutassessmentsandsafetycallswithCYPandtheirfamilies.Youwillholdasmallactivecaseload,offeringtailoredsupportandprovidingpracticalresourcestoparentsandcaregivers.Workingcollaborativelywithschools,healthcareprofessionals,socialservices,andcommunityorganisations,youwillhelpensureacoordinatedandholisticapproachtocare.Responsibilitiesalsoincludemonitoringaccessandoutcomes,particularlyformarginalisedorvulnerablegroups,respondingtosafeguardingconcernswithappropriateinterventions,andcontributingtoserviceimprovement.Youwillstayuptodatewithdevelopmentsinchildandadolescentmentalhealththroughongoingtraining,participateinsupervisionandpeersupport,andengagewithlocalcommunitiestoraiseawarenessofavailableservices.Therolealsorequiresparticipationinanon-callrota,includingeveningsandweekends,andaflexibleapproachtosupporttheevolvingneedsandprioritiesoftheservice.

Responsibilities

•Experienceindeliveringphone-basedassessmentsorsupportwithinahealth,educationorsocialcarecontext.

•Strongunderstandingofthelocalsupportlandscapeorwillingnesstorapidlydevelopthisknowledge.

•Abilitytolistenactivelyandcommunicateeffectively,showingempathyandculturalsensitivity.

•Abilitytoassesslevelsofneed,managerisk,andprovideappropriatesignpostingorescalation.

•Proficiencywithdigitalsystems,includingclientmanagementsystemsandMicrosoftOffice.

•Culturalcompetencyandsensitivitytothediverseneedsofthecommunity.

•Confidencetoworkindependentlywhilecontributingtoawidermulti-disciplinaryteam.

Qualifications

• 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.