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- Tasks: Support children and young people with mental health challenges through therapeutic interventions.
- Company: Brighter Futures for Children is a not-for-profit dedicated to enhancing children's lives in Reading.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 26 days holiday, pension scheme, and discounts on childcare.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a supportive and innovative team.
- Qualifications: Must have a recognised therapeutic qualification and at least three years of relevant experience.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds to foster an inclusive workplace.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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About Us
Brighter Futures for Children is a not-for-profit company, owned by, but independent of, Reading Borough Council. Although we are independent, we are very much part of the Reading Family. Our people enjoy all of benefits as other Council employees including membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme and continuous service.
Job Description
Brighter Futures for Children
About Us
Brighter Futures for Children is a not-for-profit company, owned by, but independent of, Reading Borough Council. Although we are independent, we are very much part of the Reading Family. Our people enjoy all of benefits as other Council employees including membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme and continuous service.
We work closely with partners in the local community and key organisations including Reading Borough Council, policy, public health and voluntary groups. We are responsible for the delivery of childrens social care, early help & prevention, education services (including SEND). This also includes fostering and adoption, the Youth Offending Service and traded services with schools.
Our main aim is to protect and enhance the lives of the children of Reading. We help families find long-term solutions to ensure children lead happy, healthy and successful lives.
About The Team/role
We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our well established team as a Primary Mental Health Worker. Our Primary Mental Health Team (PMHT) in Reading was set up in 2008 to offer early intervention for children and young people who are at risk of developing serious mental health problems. Since then, we have further evolved and are now essential in filling a gap between early intervention Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) and more specialist Getting More Help (CAMHS) services.
We are a diverse and experienced team of practitioners with a range of evidence informed therapeutic backgrounds. Our team is integrated with the strong, established, and stable Educational Psychology Service (EPS), led by the Acting Principal Educational Psychologist.
We provide psychological therapies in schools and colleges and include systemic ways of working with children aged 5-18. We work within the Thrive model and have close relationships with the wider mental health teams as well as the social work, family, and youth work teams within Brighter Futures for Children. We ensure that children receive support at the Getting Help level, therefore preventing escalation to higher services, and we are proud to make a difference in childrens lives. We offer therapeutic interventions that are impactful and that lead to significant changes.
Our Primary Mental Health Team is also an integral part of the School Links Project which provides regular mental health surgeries within schools.
Our team also offers a range of relevant mental health training to parents and professionals to increase mental health awareness and preventative strategies.
This is an exciting time to join our team as we are involved in new developments within the wider service. We are co-developing a specialist therapeutic fostering service to ensure our cared for (CLA) Reading children stay closer to home, with foster carers who are individually supported to provide for their needs and life experiences. We are also working on a new emotional health triage system, which will have Primary Mental health at its heart. This will ensure that Readings children and families receive a coordinated partnership emotional health offer, to support children to access the right help at the right time. If you want to be part of a service working in real partnership with others, transforming the system to improve outcomes for children and applying regional and national best practice, wed love to hear from you.
Our team is a very stable team, we work in a supportive environment and value our team members. We are looking for a qualified person to join our team as one of us is leaving for early retirement.
Essential Qualification/Experience
A recognised therapeutic qualification and a minimum of three years experience post qualifying.
We would additionally prefer candidates who have a core qualification, are registered with a professional body, and/or have many years of relevant therapeutic experience.
Candidates with applied knowledge of CBT, and therapeutic fostering would have an advantage.
For more information and a confidential discussion, please contact
Our Offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to be creative and focus on collaborative interventions that make a difference in childrens lives. We are innovative, child focussed, supportive, friendly, collaborative, and values driven.
We have high expectations for our children and young people and work in a relationship-based, child-centred manner to achieve the greatest impact in childrens lives.
A Competitive Salary, Alongside a Range Of Benefits Including
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Relocation Scheme
- 26 days holiday plus public holidays (rising to 33 after 10 years service)
- Discounted Childcare (on site nursery)
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Season ticket loans.
- A range of local discounts
- Free parking
- Salary sacrifice car lease scheme
Inclusion and Diversity
We want Brighter Futures for Children to be a great place to work and to ensure that our children, young people and families are represented in leadership roles and positions of power. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking.
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and those of Other Ethnicities, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our children, young people and families so that equalities and justice remains at the heart of everything we do.
Asking for Adjustments
Brighter Futures for Children is committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and as accessible as possible for everyone. This includes making adjustments or changes for disabled people, neurodiverse people or people with long-term health conditions.
If you would like us to do anything differently during the application, interview or assessment process, including providing information in an alternative format, please let us know.
Closing date: Sunday 31st September 2025
Interview date: Tuesday 23rd September 2025
Interview type : Face to face at The Civic Office, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU
We look forward to hearing from you!
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Seniority level
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Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
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Employment type
Full-time
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Job function
Health Care Provider
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Industries
Mental Health Care
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Primary Mental Health Worker employer: Reading Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Reading Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Primary Mental Health Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Thrive model and how it applies to mental health support for children. Understanding this framework will help you demonstrate your alignment with the team's approach during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the mental health field, especially those who have experience working with children and young people. Engaging with others can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with evidence-informed therapeutic practices. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully implemented these strategies in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Brighter Futures for Children and their recent initiatives, such as the emotional health triage system. Showing that you're informed about their current projects will highlight your genuine interest in the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Primary Mental Health Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Primary Mental Health Worker role. Understand the key responsibilities and required qualifications, as this will help you tailor your application.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your therapeutic qualifications and any relevant experience you have in mental health care. Be specific about your roles and how they relate to the position at Brighter Futures for Children.
Showcase Your Skills: Mention any specific skills that align with the job requirements, such as knowledge of CBT or experience in therapeutic fostering. Use examples from your past work to demonstrate how these skills have made a positive impact.
Personalise Your Application: Make your application stand out by personalising it. Address the hiring manager by name if possible, and express your genuine interest in working with Brighter Futures for Children. Share why you are passionate about improving children's mental health.
How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Borough Council
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Primary Mental Health Worker. Familiarise yourself with the Thrive model and how it applies to early intervention in mental health for children and young people.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your therapeutic qualifications and relevant experience. Highlight any specific cases where you've successfully implemented CBT or worked in therapeutic fostering, as these are particularly valued.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to share examples of how you've collaborated with other professionals in the past. Emphasise your ability to work in a supportive and integrated environment.
✨Express Your Passion for Child Welfare
Convey your commitment to improving the lives of children and families. Share your motivations for wanting to join Brighter Futures for Children and how you align with their values of inclusivity and diversity.