Job Description

Salary:

37,339

Hours:

37.5 hours per week

Location:

Swindon

Contract Type:

Fixed Term - 12 Months

Closing Date:

5th of October 2025

Please quote job reference: ABL

806

Role Purpose:

The SPA Practitoner 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 replaces the previous 'signposting-only' approach and requires individuals who can assess presenting needs, hold supportive conversations, and direct children, young people and families to the most appropriate services across the local landscape. Working closely with other professionals in education, health and community services, the SPA Navigator will ensure a smooth and informed journey for families navigating emotional wellbeing support.


Additionally, this role will undertake targeted outreach to engage under-served communities, especially those identified within the local CORE20PLUS5 population. The aim is to increase awareness of and referrals into the SPA, supporting early access to mental health services and reducing the escalation of need.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

In this role, you will work directly with children, young people, and their families to provide guidance, education, and support in managing mental health challenges, ensuring all interventions are well-documented and outcome-focused. You will collaborate with schools, healthcare providers, social services, and community organisations to coordinate care and promote a holistic approach to wellbeing, while also advocating for children's mental health needs and reducing stigma in the community. A key part of the role involves outreach to underserved groups, building partnerships with local networks, faith groups, and youth organisations to improve access, encourage early referrals, and strengthen preventative approaches. You will monitor local access metrics, respond to safeguarding concerns, and contribute to service improvements, while keeping up to date with best practice through training and supervision. The role also includes community engagement, raising awareness of support available, and providing on-call support as part of a rota. This is a dynamic and impactful role, focused on ensuring high-quality, accessible care for children and young people.

Skills & Competencies required:

Experience in delivering phone-based assessments or support within a health, education or social care context. 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 Employee Referral scheme 37.5 hours working week Flu jabs Blue Light Card Cycle to work scheme Leadership and staff away days Training and Development

Interviews for this role are scheduled to take place on

Wednesday, 15th October

.

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

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