Mental Health Officer

The Mental Health Officer will play a key role in delivering Spurs In The Community's Together Against Suicide (TAS) programme, providing a visible, accessible and compassionate mental health support service to supporters before, during and after home matchdays.

Working as part of the Health & Wellbeing and club Safeguarding teams, the postholder will provide immediate emotional support and crisis intervention to individuals experiencing poor mental health, emotional distress or suicidal thoughts.

The role will undertake appropriate risk assessments, contribute to safeguarding decision-making, and ensure individuals are safely supported through effective signposting and referrals into specialist mental health and community services.

The postholder will work collaboratively with the Spurs in the Community's Safeguarding Team, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, Samaritans and other key partners to deliver a coordinated, trauma-informed approach that prioritises the safety and wellbeing of supporters.

They will also contribute to developing robust referral pathways, maintaining accurate case records, monitoring outcomes and supporting the continuous improvement of the service.

In addition to direct supporter support, the role will help build organisational confidence and capability by providing guidance, training and advice to Foundation and Club staff, increasing awareness of mental health, suicide prevention and safeguarding responsibilities.

Through education, engagement and partnership working, the role will contribute to reducing the stigma surrounding suicide, encouraging earlier help‑seeking behaviours, and embedding positive mental health support within the matchday environment and wider community.

This role will be instrumental in ensuring the Together Against Suicide programme delivers a high-quality, person‑centred service that improves supporter wellbeing, strengthens safeguarding practices and reinforces Spurs In The Community's commitment to creating a safer, more supportive and inclusive matchday experience for everyone.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide a visible and accessible mental health support service during Tottenham Hotspur Premier League home matchdays and Foundation events.
• Respond to supporters experiencing emotional distress, poor mental health or suicidal thoughts, offering immediate emotional support and appropriate intervention.
• Work closely with the Club's Safeguarding & Welfare Officers, Matchday Safety Team and Foundation staff to ensure a coordinated response to incidents and concerns.
• Carry out mental health risk assessments and make safeguarding referrals where appropriate, following Foundation and Club procedures.
• Signpost and refer supporters to relevant statutory, NHS and voluntary sector services to ensure ongoing support beyond the matchday environment.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records of interventions, referrals and safeguarding concerns in line with GDPR and organisational policies.
• Support the development of effective referral pathways with partner organisations, including Samaritans and local mental health services.
• Deliver mental health awareness sessions and provide advice and guidance to Foundation staff and volunteers to improve confidence in recognising and responding to mental health concerns.
• Contribute to the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the Together Against Suicide programme, including collecting outcome data and case studies.
• Promote positive mental health, encourage early intervention and help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide through engagement with supporters and the wider community.
• Attend team meetings, supervision, mandatory training and continuous professional development to maintain high standards of practice.
• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role that support the successful delivery of the Foundation's Health & Wellbeing programmes.

Skills & Experience

• Experience of supporting vulnerable adults or individuals experiencing poor mental health, emotional distress or crisis, using a person‑centred and compassionate approach.
• Excellent knowledge of safeguarding legislation and procedures, including experience of recognising, assessing and responding to safeguarding concerns involving adults at risk.
• Knowledge and understanding of suicide prevention, mental health risk assessment, crisis intervention and appropriate referral pathways.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust, remain calm under pressure and communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals and partner organisations.
• Experience of maintaining accurate, confidential records and case notes, with an understanding of GDPR and information‑sharing protocols.
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively as part of a multi‑disciplinary team in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain high professional standards.
• Professional Experience of supporting vulnerable adults and/or individuals experiencing poor mental health, emotional distress, crisis or suicidal thoughts.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures relating to adults at risk, including recognising concerns, responding appropriately and following escalation pathways.
• Understanding of suicide prevention, crisis intervention and mental health risk assessment, including the ability to identify warning signs and respond safely and appropriately.
• Experience of working in a person‑centred, trauma‑informed and non‑judgemental manner.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and communicate effectively with supporters, colleagues and partner organisations.
• Ability to remain calm, professional and empathetic when responding to sensitive or high‑pressure situations.
• Experience of maintaining accurate, confidential records and case notes in line with GDPR and information‑sharing requirements.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Strong organisational and time‑management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet reporting requirements.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends and matchdays as required by the programme.
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, and the values of Spurs in the Community.
• Enhanced DBS certificate (or willingness to obtain one).
• A recognised qualification in Mental Health First Aid, Suicide Prevention (ASIST, Safe TALK or equivalent), Counselling or a related field.
• Experience of working within a mental health, community, healthcare, safeguarding or voluntary sector setting.
• Experience of supporting individuals in crisis or delivering brief interventions.
• Knowledge of local mental health services and referral pathways across North Central London.
• Experience of working collaboratively with statutory, NHS and voluntary sector partners.
• Experience of delivering mental health awareness or wellbeing workshops to staff, volunteers or community groups.
• Experience of working within a sporting, event or stadium environment.
• Understanding of monitoring and evaluation processes, including maintaining case records and reporting on outcomes.

Safeguarding is fundamental to the success in all that we do.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our participants and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Successful candidates are subject to enhanced DBS checks including the child’s and adult’s barred list checks, satisfactory references and a UK Right to Work check as part of safer recruitment procedures.

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