At a Glance
- Tasks: Oversee mental health support for children and young people, ensuring timely care and effective decision-making.
- Company: Join Compass, a national charity dedicated to improving mental health services.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, life assurance, competitive pension, and excellent career progression.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to safeguarding and supporting vulnerable individuals.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in mental health or related fields, with strong decision-making and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Take the next step in your career and help shape a responsive, high quality mental health support service for children and young people. As a Duty Coordinator, you will play a central role in the day to day running of the duty system within our Mental Health Support Teams and Early Intervention and Targeted Support Service. You will provide oversight of incoming referrals, support clinical and safeguarding decision making, and ensure timely progression through care pathways. Working closely with the Operations Manager and wider clinical team, you will guide practitioners in risk assessment, safety planning and effective decision making. You will help manage demand, monitor performance against key targets, and ensure that children, young people and families receive the right support at the right time. This is a varied and impactful role where you will collaborate with education settings, partner agencies and internal teams. You will also contribute to service development, quality improvement and innovative ways of working, ensuring the service continues to evolve and meet local needs.
Responsibilities
- Oversee incoming referrals, support clinical and safeguarding decision making, and ensure timely progression through care pathways.
- Guide practitioners in risk assessment, safety planning and effective decision making.
- Manage demand and monitor performance against key targets.
- Ensure children, young people and families receive the right support at the right time.
- Collaborate with education settings, partner agencies and internal teams.
- Contribute to service development, quality improvement and innovative ways of working.
About You / Qualifications
You will be a confident and experienced practitioner with a strong understanding of mental health support for children and young people, including safeguarding and risk management. We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience in mental health, early intervention or a related field (e.g. EMHP, CWP, nursing, social work, occupational therapy).
- Demonstrates sound clinical judgement and decision making.
- Is confident supporting and guiding others in practice.
- Has experience working with risk assessment and safety planning.
- Can manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Communicates clearly and builds effective relationships with partners.
- Understands referral pathways and thresholds for support.
It would be helpful but not essential if you have experience in service development, performance monitoring or working within a duty or triage system.
Benefits
- 27 days holiday + bank holidays, rising to 32 days over time (pro rata)
- Life assurance at 2 x basic salary
- Competitive contributory pension scheme
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and OH service
- Enhanced sick pay
- Excellent learning & development opportunities & career progression
- Annual salary review
Compass is committed to safeguarding children, young people & vulnerable adults. Established for over 30 years, Compass is a national charity which works in communities across the UK providing services spanning substance misuse treatment & rehabilitation, early interventions for vulnerable young people, school-aged health programmes & associated prevention as well as treatment & health promotion initiatives. All Compass posts are subject to appropriate level DBS checks. We positively encourage applications from all members of the community and are committed to equality & developing an inclusive & representative workforce. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, on commencement, or once in post.
Closing & Interview Dates
Closing Date: 11.05.26
Interview Date: Interviews taking place between 26-28 May 2026
Duty Coordinator employer: Compass Changing Lives
At Compass Changing Lives, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact in the community. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development in the field of children's mental health. Located in a vibrant area, we offer a range of employee benefits that enhance work-life balance, ensuring our team feels valued and motivated to make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Duty Coordinator
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the mental health field and let them know you're on the lookout for a Duty Coordinator role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your clinical judgement and decision-making skills. Think of real-life scenarios where you've guided others in risk assessment or safety planning, as these will definitely come up during your chat with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your collaborative spirit! Be ready to discuss how you've worked with education settings or partner agencies in the past. Highlighting your ability to build effective relationships will make you stand out as a candidate who can thrive in a team environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications from passionate individuals like you who are eager to make a difference in mental health support for children and young people. Plus, it’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
We think you need these skills to ace Duty Coordinator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in mental health support for children and young people. We want to see how your skills align with the responsibilities of a Duty Coordinator, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Decision-Making Skills:In your application, emphasise your sound clinical judgement and decision-making abilities. We’re looking for someone who can guide others effectively, so share examples that demonstrate your confidence in this area.
Highlight Collaboration Experience:Since this role involves working closely with various teams and agencies, make sure to mention any past experiences where you’ve successfully collaborated with others. We love seeing how you build effective relationships!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Changing Lives
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of mental health support for children and young people. Familiarise yourself with the latest practices in safeguarding, risk assessment, and decision-making processes. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in mental health or related fields. Think of specific examples where you've successfully guided others, managed competing priorities, or contributed to service development. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the team dynamics, the challenges they face, or how they measure success in their roles. This shows that you're not just interested in the job, but also in how you can contribute to the team's goals.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
As a Duty Coordinator, clear communication is key. During the interview, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Pay attention to your body language and ensure you’re engaging with your interviewers. This will help convey your ability to build effective relationships with partners and colleagues.
