Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner at YMCA DownsLink Group

Our service provides primary care mental health support for children and young people aged 2–25 who are experiencing mild to moderate difficulties. We offer a range of short‑term, evidence‑based interventions tailored to each person’s needs and developmental stage. These include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling, low‑intensity psychological interventions, group programmes, creative therapies, and social prescribing.

As a Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP) you will deliver evidence based psychosocial interventions within the scope of the service’s threshold to a caseload of children and young people. You will provide early intervention to children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties. This includes delivering individual sessions (online and face to face) and co-facilitating groups, using low intensity interventions using CBT tools and techniques.

Key responsibilities:

- Delivering Child Wellbeing Practice according to indicated, evidence based national guidelines
- Liaising with children and young people, their parents, families and carers where appropriate
- Assess mental health difficulties and triaging referrals
- Working with additional supporting professionals to ensure effective and practical support for children and their families/carers
- Engage calmly and with sensitivity and empathy to support children, young people and families in highly distressing or emotional circumstances
- Be responsive to children and young people’s needs and choices; and uphold their right to be treated with dignity and respect
- Seek consultation from line manager/clinical supervisor on the clinical delivery of the service, including safeguarding/child protection issues and decision making regarding the client group

Qualifications, knowledge, and experience

- Required: Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner Graduate/Postgraduate Certificate e.g., Child Wellbeing Practice Graduate/Postgraduate Diploma or Child and Young Persons Psychological Wellbeing Practice Postgraduate Diploma. Postgraduate Certificate in Evidence-based Psychological Treatment – Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Practitioner
- Desirable: Two+ years' experience delivering LIPI or CWP in a Child & Young People's Wellbeing service. BABCP accreditation
- You will have proven experience in safeguarding children and young people, responding to, managing, and referring safeguarding issues
- You will also have a sound understanding of child protection, policies, and procedures