Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner

**We are seeking to appoint a Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner to work with children and young people in an outreach capacity. Our team deliver a wide variety of highly bespoke social and emotional wellbeing, positive behaviour support and alternative education provisions.**

Supporting young people on a 1:1 basis with the aim of enhancing their mental health and social, emotional wellbeing. Sessions are designed around the child or young persons interests which may include sports, arts and crafts, independent living skills. There may also be an element of providing support to young people to pass a 'Functional Skills' assessment, so some tutoring experience would be ideal but not essential (training/support can be provided).

**BASINGSTOKE AND SURROUNDING AREAS - A field based position working in the community, where a flexible and friendly approach is required, as well as a full clean driving license, some travel expenses will be reimbursed.**

**Main duties and responsibilities**
- To plan and deliver one to one intervention work with children and / or young people
- To ensure the safeguarding of and promote the welfare of children that are participating in the programme
- To manage the induction process of new students into the programme
- To liaise with staff on new referrals
- To assess the need of the child to then develop a bespoke delivery plan
- To work closely with parents/carers in the delivery of direct services
- To effectively communicate with partnering organisations
- To ensure high quality delivery of services through regular reviews with all parties
- To manage service evaluation ensuring the achievement of the agreed outcomes

**Safeguarding**
- To ensure that policies and procedures are complied with and to contribute to any updating as required
- To participate in and complete safeguarding training as required
- To follow reporting procedures to ensure the childs welfare is always paramount

**Management and Development**
- To ensure compliance with regulatory and Dare2Dream’s policies and procedures with particular regard to Child Protection, Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety
- To ensure the appropriate behaviour and conduct of any volunteers / support staff, their provision of quality care and their development
- To contribute to staff and volunteer recruitment and training activities when required

**Service management**
- To attend regular meetings with Dare2Dream management and provide regular reports to line manager, Head Teachers and local authority on the activity of provision
- To maintain records in keeping with Dare2Dream’s Quality Assurance Policy
- To ensure that all records are kept confidentially
- To manage and keep accurate records of Dare2Dream’s delivery and resources at the central venue

**General**
- To promote equal opportunities and an open approach in all areas of work bearing in mind the need to maintain appropriate confidentiality at all times
- To undertake an annual, formal review of the service delivery model
- The job description is a general outline of the job duties and responsibilities and may be amended as The Dare2Dream Foundation grows and the role develops. This post will consist of other duties that may well be reasonably required from time to time

**Person Specification**
- Experience of working in SEBD settings
- Qualifications in relevant field - eg counselling, youth work, education
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to confidently build and maintain relationships with external bodies
- The ability to manage referrals and maintain an accurate and confidential system of records
- Demonstrate suitability to work with children and an understanding of working with children in need, including children in need of emotional and therapeutic support

**Required Education, Skills and Qualifications**

Education: Degree qualified

Desired Work Experience:
a) Over 2 years experience working with children and young people who are considered vulnerable and have complex needs

b) Excellent communication skills

Other:
A full clean driving license

A strong desire to support vulnerable young people

**Benefits**

Induction and ongoing training will be offered, integral to our commitment to continued professional development.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £22,000.00-£26,000.00 per year

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday
- No weekends

Application question(s):

- Describe your interest and experience relevant to this role

**Education**:

- Certificate of Higher Education (preferred)

**Experience**:

- working with children / young people: 2 years (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

- Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: In person