Job requirements
Requirements from the employer’s person specification. These describe the role, not your personal match.
Essential
30 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Experience
Experience of working with children and young people, their families and others.
- Experience
Experience of working and liaising with a wide variety of agencies and stakeholders.
- Experience
Experience of working with children and young people experiencing social, emotional, behavioural and emotional wellbeing difficulties, including the delivery of emotional health or pastoral wellbeing support.
- Qualifications
Relevant qualification in emotional wellbeing, youth work, psychology, counselling or equivalent Level 4 qualification in Children, Young People, Families or Social Care
- Additional Criteria
Knowledge of emotional health and wellbeing needs for children and young people.
- Additional Criteria
Knowledge of safeguarding issues.
- Additional Criteria
Knowledge of local services and community resources to support children and families and how to navigate and access these.
- Additional Criteria
Knowledge of capacity and consent issues including Gillick competence.
- Additional Criteria
Understanding of the development, emotional, social and educational needs of children and young people.
- Additional Criteria
Knowledge of local and national mental health provision.
- Additional Criteria
Knowledge of the Childrens Act and legislation pertinent to children.
- Additional Criteria
Ability to carry out one to one emotional health and wellbeing interventions with children and young people.
- Additional Criteria
Ability to deliver group wellbeing programmes.
- Additional Criteria
Ability to work within community settings to increase mental health awareness within staff groups.
- Additional Criteria
Ability to complete, record and communicate risk assessments appropriately.
- Additional Criteria
Ability to take appropriate action to mitigate or manage risk.
- Additional Criteria
Ability to review plans regularly and respond appropriately to changes in need, including escalation of safeguarding concerns where required.
- Additional Criteria
Ability to work independently.
- Additional Criteria
Ability to manage a caseload.
- Additional Criteria
Excellent oral, written and listening communication skills.
- Additional Criteria
Ability to build rapport and trust with young people.
- Additional Criteria
Ability to model appropriate behaviours to colleagues, children, young people and families.
- Additional Criteria
Ability to set and maintain clear and appropriate boundaries.
- Additional Criteria
Willingness to undertake further learning and development where required.
- Additional Criteria
Self-motivated, enthusiastic and resilient approach.
- Additional Criteria
Patient, tolerant and sensitive approach.
- Additional Criteria
Ability to travel independently in line with the requirements of the role.
- Additional Criteria
Excellent time management and organisational skills.
- Additional Criteria
Ability to fulfil the requirements of the role with reasonable adjustments where appropriate.
- Additional Criteria
Ability to work flexibly to meet business need.
Desirable
14 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Experience
Experience of working with children and their families in a healthcare setting.
- Experience
Experience of working with children and their families in an education setting.
- Experience
Experience of monitoring and recording outcome measures for childrens emotional wellbeing.
- Experience
Experience of navigating complex social systems and environments.
- Experience
Experience of working with looked after children.
- Experience
Experience of working with other vulnerable groups.
- Experience
Coaching and mentoring experience.
- Qualifications
Further relevant degree qualification
- Qualifications
Teaching qualification.
- Qualifications
Formal training in Trauma, Mental Health Awareness or Youth Mental Health First Aid.
- Additional Criteria
Knowledge of the operation of specialist Children and Young Peoples Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing services.
- Additional Criteria
Ability to teach others about mental health issues.
- Additional Criteria
Ability to deliver therapeutic group interventions with children and families.
- Additional Criteria
Commitment to continuous professional development.
Job summary
Some young people just need someone who gets it. Someone who listens properly, stays calm when things feel messy, and helps them find a way forward before things reach crisis point.
As an Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner within our amazing Barnsley Service, youll work directly with children and young people experiencing mild to moderate emotional health and wellbeing difficulties, helping them build confidence, resilience and healthier ways to cope with lifes challenges.
No two days look the same. One day you might be supporting a young person one to one in a school, the next delivering a group session in the community, speaking with parents, or helping professionals better understand the emotional wellbeing needs of the young people they support.
Youll hold a varied caseload and deliver evidence based interventions that genuinely make a difference. Youll work alongside families, schools and partner agencies to make sure young people get the right support at the right time, including helping them access more specialist services where needed.
Youll join a supportive, values led team that cares deeply about children, young people and each other, where collaboration, trust and new ideas are genuinely encouraged.
This is a role for someone who wants their work to matter.
Main duties of the job
You know that emotional wellbeing support is about more than ticking boxes. Its about helping young people feel safe enough to open up, understood enough to trust you, and supported enough to believe things can improve.
Youll need:
A relevant qualification in emotional wellbeing, youth work, psychology, counselling, social care or a related field
Experience supporting children and young people with emotional wellbeing, social or behavioural difficulties
Experience delivering emotional wellbeing or pastoral interventions
Knowledge of safeguarding, consent and emotional wellbeing needs affecting children & young people
Confidence managing a caseload and working independently across community & educational settings
Strong communication and relationship building skills with young people, families & professionals
Ability to assess, manage & escalate risk appropriately
Good organisational and IT skills, including maintaining accurate records
Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to travel independently across the borough to meet the requirements of the role.
Experience within healthcare, education or multi agency settings, along with training in areas such as trauma informed practice or Youth Mental Health First Aid, would be welcomed, but aren't dealbreakers.
If youre someone who wants to help young people feel stronger, more confident and less alone when life gets difficult, this is the kind of work youll feel proud of.
About us
Compass is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. Established for over 30 years, Compass is a national charity which works in communities across the UK providing services spanning substance misuse treatment and rehabilitation, early interventions for vulnerable young people, school-aged health programmes and associated prevention as well as treatment and health promotion initiatives.
All Compass posts are subject to appropriate level DBS checks.
We positively encourage applications from all members of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age, or sexual orientation, and encourage applications from people who have experiences in life which enrich skills and empathy. This is part of our commitment to equality and developing a truly inclusive and representative workforce.
We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, on commencement, or once in post.
Benefits
We offer a range of benefits including:
- 27 days holiday + bank holidays, rising to 32 days over time (pro rata)
- Life assurance at 2 x basic salary
- Competitive contributory pension scheme
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and OH service
- Enhanced sick pay
- Excellent learning & development opportunities and career progression
- Annual salary review
Help us to make a positive change to the lives of children and young people!
Closing Date: 18th Sept
Interview Date: 28th Sept
#CompBe #LI-BE1
Details
- Date posted: 24 August 2026
- Pay scheme: Other
- Salary: £23,955 to £28,121 a year
- Contract: Fixed term
- Duration: 12 months
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: 789
- Job locations: Unit 15 Churchfield Court, Churchfield, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2JT, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner with Compass - Services to Improve Health and Wellbeing in Barnsley, England. It is listed as a Mental health professionals role. The advertised salary is £23955.00 to £28121.00. The contract type is Fixed-Term. The application deadline is 18 Sep 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (24 Aug 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHSjob search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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