At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support emotional health services for young people, delivering impactful interventions.
- Company: Join The Children’s Society, a trusted organisation supporting youth for over 140 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, enhanced leave, pension matching, and free counselling services.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional growth and to empower young voices in mental health.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing teams and a relevant qualification in health or social care.
The predicted salary is between 30600 - 32839 ÂŁ per year.
Salary: ÂŁ30,600-ÂŁ32,839.52
Location: Gateshead
Length of employment: Permanent with funding until March 2027
Hours: 35 hours per week
Benefits include but are not limited to:
- 28 days holiday, increasing with length of service
- Enhanced maternity/paternity leave
- We match up to 8% pension
- Free counselling service
- Opportunities to develop and widen your skills
- 2 days of paid volunteering time per annum to support another part of the organisation
About us
The Children’s Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 140 years. We deliver essential local services that provide safe, trusted support to children and young people during times of significant need. Our Youth Impact domain creates impact for children and young people. With highly skilled and experienced staff working across England and Wales, we provide direct support to children, young people, parents and carers, as well as conduct research and influence Government to make changes. We also provide training for professionals. Our value driven team change the lives of children in this country for the better - and with your help and expertise, tomorrow we can support even more.
About the role
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Lead Practitioner to support Children, Young People and Young Adults within our Emotional Health & Wellbeing (EHWB) services. The post holder will deliver low‑intensity, brief interventions, holding a small caseload of 1:1 and group work, while also providing clinical and operational leadership across the service. You will play a vital role in risk identification, safeguarding oversight, triage and decision‑making, ensuring safe, high‑quality and consistent practice. You will line manage and support practitioners and volunteers, offering supervision, mentoring, coaching and performance management, alongside leading on quality assurance, outcome monitoring and continuous improvement. Acting as shift lead when required, you will oversee day‑to‑day service delivery and deputise for the Service Manager where appropriate. The role requires strong skills in relationship‑building, creative engagement, inclusive practice and partnership working, alongside a sound understanding of low‑level mental health needs and interventions. A commitment to reflective practice, professional development, innovation and empowering young people’s voices is essential. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled practitioner ready to combine direct work, leadership and service development within a dynamic, multi‑disciplinary wellbeing service.
Skills & abilities
- Experience of managing and supervising staff and volunteers, supporting safe and effective practice through training, supervision and risk management.
- Strong communication and IT skills.
- Ability to build positive relationships in a non‑judgemental and anti‑discriminatory way.
- Confidence in undertaking risk assessments, evaluating the impact of training, managing service risk, and using data to inform, challenge and improve practice.
- Experience with digital platforms, audit or research work.
- Holding a relevant qualification (health, social care, youth work, counselling or equivalent).
Knowledge
- Solid understanding of anxiety and depression presentations in primary care and evidence‑based interventions.
- Understanding of the impact of socio‑economic factors on mental health.
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy and procedures for children and young people aged 11–25.
- Understanding of barriers young people face when accessing mental health services.
- Desirable knowledge of therapeutic approaches such as CBT and solution‑focused work, NICE guidance, and youth work principles.
Experience
- Experience working with young people aged 11–25 experiencing emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties, delivering 1:1 and group interventions using a person‑centred approach.
- Experience of assessments, outcomes measurement, and working with external stakeholders to improve outcomes.
- Experience of drop‑in models and developing partnerships across statutory, voluntary and community settings.
Closing date: Midnight on 15th May
Interviews: Week commencing June 1st
Safeguarding & Diversity Policy
The Children’s Society is committed to safeguarding and protection of the children and young people we work with. As such, our safer recruitment process includes a Basic or Enhanced DBS check, 5 years of references, and additional vetting checks relevant to the role. We have a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to promote safeguarding and safer working practices across all areas of our organisation. In support of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, shortlisting is carried out on an anonymised basis. Personal details are hidden from the shortlisting panel, and candidates are referenced by a candidate number only. As part of this process, we ask that your CV is anonymised before submission - this means removing personal information such as your name, contact details, age, and any other identifying details. AI tools can support your application but only when used appropriately. You’re welcome to use them to improve clarity, structure, and research. However, overuse or misuse (e.g. inventing experience or using AI during assessments) may lead to rejection at any stage. We want to hear the real you - authenticity matters.
Lead Emotional Health and Wellbeing Practitioner in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: The Children's Society
Contact Detail:
The Children's Society Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Emotional Health and Wellbeing Practitioner in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research The Children’s Society and understand their mission and values. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your application process. It’s all about building those relationships!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to emotional health and wellbeing. Think about your past experiences and how they align with the role. We want to hear your stories, so make them count!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making an impact in the lives of young people.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Emotional Health and Wellbeing Practitioner in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: We want to hear the real you! Make sure your application reflects your genuine experiences and personality. Avoid overusing AI tools to create content that doesn't sound like you.
Tailor Your CV: When applying, ensure your CV is tailored to the role of Lead Emotional Health and Wellbeing Practitioner. Highlight relevant experience with young people and any leadership roles you've held.
Anonymise Your Application: Remember to anonymise your CV before submission. Remove personal details like your name and contact info to ensure a fair shortlisting process.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and keep track of it!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Children's Society
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of emotional health and wellbeing, especially regarding anxiety and depression. Brush up on evidence-based interventions and be ready to discuss how socio-economic factors impact mental health.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Practitioner, you'll need to demonstrate your experience in managing and supervising staff. Prepare examples of how you've supported safe practices through training and mentoring, and be ready to discuss your approach to quality assurance and continuous improvement.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your ability to build positive, non-judgemental relationships with young people. Think of specific instances where you've successfully engaged with them, and be prepared to discuss your approach to inclusive practice and partnership working.
✨Reflect on Your Experience
Be ready to talk about your direct work with young people aged 11-25, particularly in delivering 1:1 and group interventions. Reflect on your assessments and outcomes measurement experiences, and think about how you've collaborated with external stakeholders to improve results.