Children and Families Pathways Worker in Bradford

Salary scale: £14.46 per hour

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week

Base: Kenburgh House, 28 Manor Row, Bradford, BD1 4QU

Probationary Period: Six months

Closing Date: Thursday 26th August 10am 2026

Interview Date: 1st and 2nd September 2026

Questions: In the first instance any enquiries to be emailed to [email protected]. For an informal chat about the role before applying please contact Service Manager, Helen Dartford at [email protected].

About Us

Bradford District and Craven Mind is a thriving, independent mental health charity with a clear purpose to promote positive mental wellbeing and empower and help people experiencing issues with their mental health to manage and work towards recovery and fulfilment. We do this through:

• Building community and individual resilience for better mental wellbeing
• Providing early intervention advice and support
• Supporting people in crisis
• Empowering and helping people to recover and sustain improved wellbeing

Join us and you’ll receive:

• 25 days annual leave per year, rising to 28 days with length of service plus bank holidays
• Up to two additional leave days to use each year to support your wellbeing.
• Simply Health Cash Plan to claim back on personal health costs including dental, optical, prescriptions, physiotherapy and more.
• Employee Assistance Service including 24/7 confidential mental health support and access to structured therapy sessions.
• Generous pension scheme and employer contribution to help you plan for a secure future.
• Discount schemes including Company Shop and Blue Light Card.
• Excellent personal development opportunities including access to Clinical Supervision.
• Enhanced sick pay after your six-month probation.
• Accredited employer with Mindful Employer, Disability Confident and Real Living Wage.
• Generous death in service/life assurance benefit.

Role Background

We’re excited to be recruiting a Children and Families (CYPF) Pathways Worker to join our growing CYPF services and play a key role in launching and delivering Youth in Mind Open Door. This role sits within Youth in Mind (YiM)—a vibrant partnership of organisations passionate about supporting the mental health and wellbeing of CYPF across Bradford District and Craven. Led by BDC Mind, YiM brings together Barnardo’s, Bradford Youth Service, Brathay Trust, Inspired Neighbourhoods, Invictus Wellbeing and SELFA. Together, we offer engaging, evidence-based support through one-to-one sessions, group work, counselling and creative interventions in schools, community spaces and homes.

YiM Open Door is an exciting new single point of access designed to make getting help simpler, faster and more compassionate. It will provide a warm, non-judgmental space where every referral is welcomed, assessed and matched to the right service based on need, waiting times and choice. Open Door will also manage a centralised waiting list, ensuring CYPF are supported while they wait through proactive “waiting well” interventions. This is all about clarity, connection and care—helping CYPF feel heard and supported from the very start.

Role Purpose

As a Pathways Worker, you’ll be at the heart of this change. Reporting to the YiM Service Manager and supported by a Service Coordinator, you’ll start by tackling existing waiting lists—providing timely support, reopening referral pathways and making sure families feel supported while they wait.

As YiM Open Door launches, you’ll help bring it to life—driving mobilisation, core delivery and ongoing development. You’ll receive referrals, carry out assessments of need and risk, and connect CYPF to the most suitable support, whether that’s within YiM or through wider system partners. You’ll strengthen referral systems and improve the experience for CYPF through clear processes and proactive engagement. You’ll work closely with partners across the THRIVE framework to make navigation smoother and access fairer. This is a hands-on role where you’ll combine direct support for CYPF with collaborative work alongside multi-agency partners—embedding a clear, compassionate approach to early intervention that really makes a difference.

Role Outcomes

• Receive and triage referrals, carry out assessment of needs and risk, and connect CYPF to the most suitable support—within YiM or through wider system partners.
• Manage risk and safeguarding. Identify risk early and act promptly on safeguarding concerns, following policy and ensuring CYPF voice, safety and wellbeing.
• Communicate effectively so CYPF and partners receive clear, timely information about next steps, reducing uncertainty and improving engagement.
• Systematically review and reduce waiting lists—leading to reopened pathways and improved flow.
• Deliver “waiting well” support to CYPF waiting for services, ensuring proactive check-ins, resources and reassurance to maintain wellbeing until their support starts.
• Strengthen referral systems, implementing processes that are consistent, streamlined and transparent, reducing duplication and improving navigation across the THRIVE framework.
• Work closely with partners to ensure seamless interfaces between YiM Open Door and other key front doors in the system, including CAMHS, MHSTs, the Integrated Front Door and School Nursing, to enable smooth transitions and joined-up decision-making.
• Analyse and share insights, capturing referral trends and waiting list data to inform service planning and prevent future backlogs.
• Collaborate across the system, building strong relationships with YiM and multi-agency partners, enabling joined-up decision-making and better use of capacity.
• Drive continuous improvement using feedback from CYPF and partners to refine processes and shape the ongoing development of YiM Open Door.
• Maintain accurate records and data, ensuring timely updates to case management systems and compliance with information governance standards.
• Contribute to service development, participating in team meetings, training and co-production activities to embed best practice and CYPF voice.
• Champion equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in all aspects of engagement and service delivery.
• Uphold the values and objectives of YiM and BDC Mind, as lead provider, ensuring your work reflects our commitment to caring, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Information Governance, and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required.

Person Specification

BDC Mind is committed to promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and improving the quality of life for people with mental health challenges. We value diversity, inclusion and lived experiences when recruiting our staff and volunteers.

Qualifications & Knowledge

• Essential: Qualification in youth work, community work, mental health, social care, or equivalent experience.
• Understanding of confidentiality, information governance and data protection.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and risk management.
• Familiarity with local services, referral pathways and early intervention approaches in mental health.
• Understanding of the THRIVE framework and system navigation principles.

Experience

• Essential: Experience working with children, young people and families in mental health, wellbeing, or youth/community settings.
• Experience conducting triage, initial assessment and risk assessments.
• Experience managing risk and responding to safeguarding concerns.
• Experience of collaborative, multi-agency working and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience maintaining accurate records and using data to inform decisions.

Skills and Abilities

• Essential: Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and online referral/case management systems.
• Ability to analyse data and use insights for service improvement.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and remain calm and solution-focused in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to travel across Bradford District & Craven.

Personal attributes

• Essential: Inclusive, welcoming, and positive approach, with a can-do attitude.
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic, with a commitment to providing effective, person-centred support.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusivity.
• Willingness to work flexibly and adapt to changing needs.
• Proactive in seeking feedback and driving continuous improvement.

How to Apply

Please click the 'Apply for this job' button and follow the steps to fill out the application form. Upload your CV and a cover letter showing how your experience and skills match the Job Description and Person Specification under. We’re unable to provide feedback to applicants who are not shortlisted. We are committed to safeguarding vulnerable children and adults. All successful candidates will need to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and a right to work in the UK check.