CYP Mental Health Practitioner SPA (Single Point of Access)

CYP Mental Health Practitioner SPA (Single Point of Access)

Salary: £38,682 per year

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Location: Swindon

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 1st of April 2026

Please quote job reference: ABL 806d

Role Purpose

The SPA Practitioner will play a pivotal role in delivering responsive, person-centred care to children, young people and families across Swindon. Working within a Single Point of Access model, this role will provide meaningful telephone consultations to all appropriate referrals, ensuring each contact receives timely, relevant guidance or signposting to local mental health and wellbeing services.

This role requires individuals who can assess presenting needs, hold supportive conversations, and direct children, young people and families to the most appropriate pathways within BE U or services across the local landscape. Working closely with other professionals in education, health and community services, the SPA Practitioner will ensure a smooth and informed journey for families navigating emotional wellbeing support.

This role will require excellent risk assessment and management skills in relation to positive risk taking and decision making to enable safe and effective responses to CYP and their families. We are seeking applicants who thrive in a busy environment, who stay calm under pressure, and excel at coordination and adapting to change.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will work closely with families to provide guidance, education, and support in managing children and young people's (CYP) mental health needs. The role involves triaging and screening referrals, making informed clinical and pathway decisions, and carrying out assessments and safety calls with CYP and their families. You will hold a small active caseload, offering tailored support and providing practical resources to parents and caregivers. Working collaboratively with schools, healthcare professionals, social services, and community organisations, you will help ensure a coordinated and holistic approach to care. Responsibilities also include monitoring access and outcomes, particularly for marginalised or vulnerable groups, responding to safeguarding concerns with appropriate interventions, and contributing to service improvement. You will stay up to date with developments in child and adolescent mental health through ongoing training, participate in supervision and peer support, and engage with local communities to raise awareness of available services. The role also requires participation in an on-call rota, including evenings and weekends, and a flexible approach to support the evolving needs and priorities of the service.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience in delivering phone-based assessments or support within a health, education or social care context.
• Experience of managing own case load delivering evidence based/CBT informed interventions.
• Knowledge of emotional wellbeing needs in children and young people.
• Strong understanding of the local support landscape or willingness to rapidly develop this knowledge.
• Ability to listen actively and communicate effectively, showing empathy and cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to assess levels of need, manage risk, and provide appropriate signposting or escalation.
• Strong documentation and record-keeping skills, ensuring accurate, evidence-based case notes.
• Proficiency with digital systems, including client management systems and Microsoft Office.
• Cultural competency and sensitivity to the diverse needs of the community.
• Confidence to work independently while contributing to a wider multi-disciplinary team.

Employee Benefits

• Birthday Day off
• Flexible Annual Leave scheme
• 37.5 hours working week
• Flu jabs
• Blue Light Card
• Cycle to work scheme
• Leadership and staff away days
• Training and Development

Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role