At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire young people’s mental health through therapeutic interventions and team support.
- Company: Compass is a national charity dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable young people across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, life assurance, a pension scheme, and excellent learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young people's wellbeing while working in a supportive, values-driven team.
- Qualifications: You need a recognised mental health qualification and at least two years' experience in therapeutic interventions.
- Other info: Join us in creating an inclusive workforce that values diverse experiences and perspectives.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Ready to use your expertise to guide a team in their work to build brighter futures?
This is more than a clinical role, it\’s a chance to lead, mentor and shape the future of early intervention support for children and young people.
As a Supervising Practitioner, you’ll be part of our vibrant Mental Health Support Team working in schools to deliver evidence-based interventions, promote whole school approaches to mental wellbeing, and ensure that EMHPs and trainees feel supported, skilled and safe in their practice.
You’ll hold a small caseload and work directly with young people with mild to moderate needs, while also offering clinical supervision, reflective spaces and day-to-day guidance to your team. You’ll be a go‑to clinical lead, helping embed good practice, spot risks early and build the kind of culture where practitioners can thrive.
You’ll work hand‑in‑hand with schools, Team Leaders and the wider Compass team to drive quality, consistency and innovation. Whether you’re shaping group interventions, training staff or liaising with senior mental health leads, your influence will be felt far beyond your own caseload.
If you want an exciting and rewarding role where you can grow others, lead with care and create system‑wide impact, this is where your next step should be.
You care deeply about young people’s mental health, and you’re ready to bring your experience, empathy and leadership into a role where you can really make a difference. You’re someone who people turn to for support, direction and reassurance and you know how to hold that space with care and confidence.
You’ll bring:
- A Qualified Education Mental Health Practitioner qualification with at least 2 years experience.
- Experience supervising others or supporting colleagues in a leadership or mentorship role.
- Strong knowledge of CBT‑based approaches, especially in early intervention or school settings.
- Clear, confident communication and the ability to work with a wide range of people – young people, families, schools, and professionals.
- A solid grasp of safeguarding and risk management, and a calm, measured way of responding when things feel uncertain.
- A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
You might also bring a Postgraduate Certificate in Supervision, training in low‑intensity CBT, or experience working in a skill‑mixed team but we’re more interested in the way you think, lead and show up for others than in ticking every box.
If you’re someone who believes in doing the right thing, even when it’s hard and you’re excited to support others to do their best work then this could be exactly the role you’ve been looking for.
Compass is committed to safeguarding children, young people and 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 and rehabilitation, early interventions for vulnerable young people, school‑aged health programmes and associated prevention as well as treatment and health promotion initiatives.
All Compass posts are subject to appropriate level DBS checks.
We positively encourage applications from all members of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age, or sexual orientation, and encourage applications from people who have experiences in life which enrich skills and empathy. This is part of our commitment to equality and developing a truly inclusive and representative workforce.
We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, on commencement, or once in post.
We offer a range of benefits including:
- 27 days holiday + bank holidays, rising to 32 days over time (pro rata)
- Life assurance at 2×basic salary
- Competitive contributory pension scheme
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and OH service
- Enhanced sick pay
- Excellent learning & development opportunities and career progression
- Annual salary review
Person Specification
- Essential: Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) Qualification
- Essential: Post Graduate Certificate in Supervision (EMHP supervisor course) or two years post qualification experience of working therapeutically with children and young people and willingness to undertake a PG Certificate in Supervision.
- Desirable: Evidence of continued professional development
- Desirable: Management / supervision training
- Desirable: Therapeutic post graduate qualification or equivalent experience ideally in low intensity CBT.
- Desirable: Post Graduate qualification in a relevant discipline
- Desirable: Mentorship qualification
Experience
- Essential: 2 years post qualification experience as an EMHP
- Essential: Experience of line management and/or delivery of clinical supervision
- Essential: Experience of delivering CBT informed supervision, ideally of practice related to education settings
- Essential: Experience of working in a community and/or educational settings
- Essential: Experience of effective engagement with CYPF
- Essential: Risk assessment and management in the delivery of clinical services (including safeguarding)
- Desirable: Experience of leadership within Children and Young People clinical service areas
- Desirable: Experience of providing mentorship
- Desirable: Experience of organising team duties
- Desirable: Experience of inducting staff members
- Desirable: Experience of working in a skill mix team
Additional Criteria
- Essential: Leadership and the ability to delegate and supervise staff
- Essential: Ability to analyse, evaluate and rationalise data and enable progressive models of delivery and intervention
- Essential: Recognition and escalation of risk, contributing to control measures
- Essential: Planning workload, time management
- Essential: Work under pressure and able to manage changing priorities
- Essential: Understand need for evidence and statistical data collection, and achieving targets
- Essential: IT skills
- Essential: Team player and a dynamic personality
- Essential: Multi‑agency/disciplinary working
- Essential: Excellent communication skills and ability to form positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
- Essential: Innovative practice and ability to influence others
- Essential: Positive attitude; flexible and adaptable; solution focused; and tenacious.
- Essential: Has a strong degree of personal integrity
- Essential: Ability to work all year round
- Essential: Travel to individual schools required; driving licence and vehicle access (options for those who cannot drive)
- Essential: Ongoing commitment to maintain registration in core profession
- Desirable: Ability to analyse, evaluate and rationalise data and enable progressive models of delivery and intervention
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Compass
Unit 8, Balfour Court
Off Hough Lane
Leyland
Lancashire
PR25 2TF
Employer\’s website
https://www.compass-uk.org/ (Opens in a new tab)
Closing date: 19.04.2026
Interview date: 14.05.2026
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Supervising Practitioner employer: Compass
Contact Detail:
Compass Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Compass Bloom Service and its approach to mental health. Understanding their values and methods will help you align your experience and passion with their mission during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of mental health, especially those who have experience in educational settings. Engaging with current practitioners can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals or recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully guided teams in the past. Highlight specific examples where your guidance led to improved outcomes for young people, as this will resonate well with the role's requirements.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest trends and research in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other therapeutic interventions. Being knowledgeable about current practices will demonstrate your commitment to professional development and effective service delivery.
We think you need these skills to ace Supervising Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in mental health, particularly with children and young people. Emphasise your qualifications, such as your CBT expertise and any leadership roles you've held.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for improving young people's mental health. Discuss specific examples of how you've led teams or implemented therapeutic interventions in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list your qualifications, including any nationally recognised certifications and your eligibility to practise under a governing body. Mention your postgraduate certificate in supervision or management if applicable.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Demonstrate your leadership abilities by providing examples of how you've mentored others or contributed to team success. Highlight your communication and organisational skills, as these are crucial for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass
✨Show Your Passion for Mental Health
Make sure to express your genuine passion for improving the mental health of young people. Share personal experiences or insights that highlight your commitment to this cause, as it will resonate with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Discuss your approach to mentoring and supporting others, especially in a clinical supervision context, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Highlight Your CBT Expertise
Be ready to discuss your knowledge and experience with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Provide specific examples of how you've applied CBT-informed approaches in your work with children and young people.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions related to risk assessment, safeguarding, and working across agencies. Think through potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would address them effectively.