42ND STREET - COMMUNITY BASED RESOURCE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER STRESS

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Mental Health Practitioner (Integrated Community Response)

Job title:
Grade:
Contract end
date:

Mental Health Practitioner (Integrated Community Response)
Pay scale NJC Pt.18 - Pt. 28 £31,537 - £39,152 (pro-rata)
•  Single post available for the ICR role
•  Fixed term 12-month contract subject to funding, with the possibility of

Annual Leave:

27 days per annum (pro rata)

extension.

Responsible
to:
Location:

Service Manager or Senior Practitioner (Integrated Community Response)

Located within community settings, primarily in Manchester, Salford, Trafford, or
Tameside but some travel across Greater Manchester. One day per week is
based at our HQ in central Manchester.

Hours of work:  37.5 hours per week (Full time).
Job Summary:  You will deliver short-term, responsive de-escalation and resilience building,

solution focused, emotional wellbeing and mental health support to young
people 11–25 years old in community-based settings.

The role is in partnership with the NHS, social care and VCSE organisations so
that practitioners can respond effectively to a young person’s immediate needs.

The ICR model places 42nd Street practitioners in identified mental health, social
care and VSCE teams and community-based settings where young people
regularly present with episodes of psycho-social distress and risk.

The role also links to the Greater Manchester Children and Young Peoples Crisis
Care Pathway providing crisis stepped down support for young people in distress
(Safe Zones)

The role supports vulnerable young people who have experienced trauma.
Young people may also have experience of one of more of the following: social
care involvement; crisis presentation with a statutory mental health service;
known to or on the edge of the criminal justice system; survivor or witness of
violent crime; care experience or edge of care.

The model also includes strengthening partnership working, capacity building and
aligning of services across the system and across sectors and is expected to
reduce the need for crisis/acute services and ensure that where referrals are
made they are appropriate, high quality and meet the young people’s needs.

Specifically, the post holder will be responsible for:
•  Assessing vulnerable young people that present to the service and ensuring a

young person-centred, psycho-social, advocacy approach underpins all
support interventions.

•  Acting as a key practitioner for integrated delivery models in collaboration

with other organisations across Salford, Manchester and Tameside and more
widely across Greater Manchester.

•  Leading on de-escalation, assessment and screening processes alongside

young people.

•  Supporting young people to access appropriate services and opportunities
across education, health, social care and voluntary community and social
enterprise (VCSE) organisations.

•  Delivery of timely and effective support interventions, in line with agreed

service standards and working to best practice.

1 | P a g e

•  Contributing to the 42nd Street Duty/Welcome team.
•  Contribution to the learning and development of practitioners across the wider

integrated project team.

Post holders will deliver services that best support young people and integrate with
the setting that they are assigned to work with. This may mean working weekends
and anti-social hours.

Date:
Version:
Author:

October 2025
Final Version
Tim Eaton

 KEY TASKS

1.

CLINICAL:

1.1.  Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the ICR partnership service, providing
.       consultations to partners to enable referrals that reflect the needs of the young .
…… person.

1.2  Provide 1-1 mental health and emotional well-being support to young people, mostly

face to face (telephone, text based, and remote working are also options).

1.3.  Work with young people to identify and access suitable and timely support across

health, social care and VCSE services.

1.4.  As part of the 42nd Street Duty/Welcome Team screen referrals for suitability into the

organisation liaising with young people/referrers where required, provide de-escalation
support/risk assessment to young people in distress, respond promptly to enquiries
made into the organisation from young people, parents/carers and professionals.’

1.5.  Formulate, implement, and deliver intervention plans with young people and partners.

1.6.  Use highly developed communication skills in working with young people to

understand their personal and often very sensitive difficulties and where appropriate
advocate with them and on their behalf.

1.7.  Exercise autonomous, professional responsibility for the assessment and therapeutic

support of young people in line with the service.

1.8.  Educate and involve family members and others in project settings where appropriate,

conveying relevant information with sensitivity.

1.9.  Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of therapeutic sessions

offered, and sessions delivered per week in order to minimise waiting times and
ensure that support remains accessible and convenient.

1.10. Attend multi-disciplinary meetings and support the workforce development across the

project

2 | P a g e

1.11. Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service and support

others where necessary.

1.12. Keep coherent records of all therapeutic activity in line with service protocols and

support others to do the same.

1.13. Work closely with other members of the team, in specific identified settings, ensuring
appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped
care approach.

1.14. Liaise with other health and social care staff from a range of agencies in the support of
young people, ensuring integrated and joined up care plans centred around young
people’s needs.

1.15. Use regular supervision and external supervision to reflect and identify areas for

personal and professional development.

2.0  PROFESSIONAL

2.1.  Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to 42nd Street and any
regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g. BPS,  UKCP, BABCP).

2.2.  Ensure that young people’s confidentiality is always protected.

2.3.  Ensure clear professional objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed on a

regular basis as part of continuing professional development (CPD).

2.4.  Attend external clinical, internal managerial supervision and team meetings on a

regular basis as agreed with Manager.

2.5.  Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives and

contribute to the performance review/management of colleagues where appropriate.

2.6.  Keep timely, up to date records pertaining to all of your work with young people

2.7.  Attend relevant conferences / workshops and training in line with identified

professional objectives.

3.

Shared with all workers:

3.1  To ensure that the values and principles underlying the organisation's mental health
and emotional well-being support with young people are maintained and developed.
These include an active commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and to ensuring
that services are accessible to those young people who are often excluded from such
services, for example, black young people, disabled young people, gay, lesbian,
bisexual and trans young people.

3.2  To contribute to ensuring that young people have a voice within 42nd Street to

effectively influence internal practice and policy and practice and policy at a local,
regional and national level

3.3  To be aware of and ensure compliance with legal requirements and internal policies
with particular reference to information governance, data protection, confidentiality,
health and safety, and safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

3 | P a g e

3.4  Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to 42nd Street and any

regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g. BPS, BACP, HCPC, HSCIC,
UKCP, BABCP).

3.5  To contribute to the development of 42nd Street through active involvement in team

meetings, consultations and other relevant systems and structures.

3.6  To maintain all relevant information systems including monitoring, recording and

personnel systems.

3.7  To be involved in staffing 42nd Street’s Duty/Co-Worker system.

3.8  To participate in managerial and external supervision and have an active involvement

in professional development opportunities at 42nd Street

3.9  To maintain safe systems of work at all times and take care of your own safety, and

that of colleagues and others who may be affected by your activities.

3.10  To undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with

your role.

3.11  To undertake any requests made by the Management Team at 42nd Street that is

relevant to this post.

3.12  To provide some of your work at times other than office hours so that the service is
accessible. This means regular evenings until 8pm (up to two per week) and some
weekends.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties, only a general guide to the post. In consultation with the
post-holder, the duties may change from time to time to reflect the changing needs of the
service

4 | P a g e

PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Mental Health Practitioner (Integrated Community
Response)

Note to applicants: The ideal post holder should meet all the essential requirements detailed below.
Consideration will be given to desirable requirements if there are more than 6 candidates who meet all
the essential requirements. With reference to the requirements under item 5 where it is referenced
‘application’ it is sufficient to indicate agreement to commit to the identified professional areas.

SELECTION CRITERIA

METHOD OF
ASSESSMENT

ESSENTIAL  DESIRABLE

Training, Qualifications & Experience
The successful candidate will have:
A relevant professional qualification in
counselling, therapy, youth work, social work or 3
years’ professional experience of working with
young people.

Experience of assessing the needs of young
people from diverse backgrounds.

✓  Application

✓  Application
✓  Interview

X

X

X

X

X

X

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview

Experience of supporting young people who are
distressed and need support to remain safe and
to reduce risky behaviours and thoughts.
Experience of working with vulnerable young
people with complex lives and/or with mental
health difficulties.
Experience of working alongside young people to
plan, develop and evaluate support plans, using
young person-centred approaches.
Experience in working closely with a variety of
multi-disciplinary professionals across agencies
and sectors.
Experience of delivering training to multi-
disciplinary teams.
Knowledge
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Understanding the needs of young people
including an awareness of issues of diversity and
the social and cultural context of their lives.
Knowledge of the broad issues surrounding
emotional wellbeing / mental health services for
young people.
Proficient ICT skills including use of Microsoft
Office applications.
A working understanding of risk management
including safeguarding, confidentiality and data
protection.
Skills & Abilities
The successful candidate will be able to:
Engage young people individually and in groups
using creative and young person-centred
methods, models and processes.
Liaise with and develop key relationships with
partners and colleagues.

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

3.0

3.1

3.2

5 | P a g e

3.3

3.4

Communicate positively, effectively and
sensitively in person and in writing with a variety
of audiences.

Plan, organise and prioritise own workload and
manage time effectively.

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview.

X

X

4.0

4.1

✓  Application

Professional Commitment
The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate commitment to:
Ensuring that issue of equality and a respect for
diversity is reflected in all aspects of work.
4.2  Work at locations across Salford and Manchester
and be prepared to work some evenings,
weekends and anti-social hours.
Continued professional development through
undertaking training and participating in other
learning opportunities.
Recognition of the need to be accountable for
work through supervision, performance
management and other relevant processes.

✓  Application

✓  Application

✓  Application

4.3

4.4

X

X

X

X

4.5  Work as part of a team, contributing to 42nd

Street’s effectiveness, quality of services, skills
and expertise.

✓  Application

X

6 | P a g e

Job Description

Job title:
Grade:
Contract end date:  31st March 2026
Annual Leave:
Responsible to:
Location:

Hours of work:
Job Summary:

Creative Sessional Support Worker
Pay scale NJC Pt.20 - Pt.28 £32,597- £39,152 (pro-rata)

27 days per annum (pro rata)
Clinical Lead Creativity and Social Action
Office base in Central Manchester and community-based work in
localities across Greater Manchester
Up to 15 hours a week
We are seeking a passionate and flexible Creative Sessional Support
Worker to join our small, collaborative team at The Horsfall- the creative
and cultural programme at 42nd Street. This role involves delivering
and supporting a range of creative sessions and projects for young
people aged 11–25, with a focus on mental health and well-being. Our
creative sessions offer a nurturing space for young people to explore
their mental health using  creativity, build confidence and developing a
sense of belonging and purpose. The work benefits those making the
work – allowing them to access what they would like to gain from the
process e.g voice, connection, processing, fun, imagination etc and
often leads to powerful work that highlights the lives young people live
and their creative ideas. Resulting in work unique in society.

You work alongside individual young people and support groups to
develop their creative ideas and support them through the process of
exploration, realisation and sharing of the work. The role would benefit
from someone who has an understanding of the links between the
creative process and the transformational impact on mental health, with
creative practice as an artist/creative as key skill and interest.
The role includes

•  Facilitating and supporting creative sessions with young people

aged 11–25.

•  Supporting  and assisting with group/peer work and social action
•  Helping to maintain a supportive and inclusive, anti-oppressive
environment that encourages self-expression and personal
growth.

•  Working directly with individuals and groups to develop creative

ideas, manage projects, and bring artistic work to life.

•  Offering mental health and well-being support alongside Mental
Health Practitioners to ensure all attendees feel safe, valued,
and engaged with the support of our team.

•  Delivering sessions at our Manchester headquarters and across

Greater Manchester in community and education settings,
•  Demonstrating a young person centred, trauma responsive

approach at all times adapting to the access needs of young
people

Date:
Version:
Author:

October 25
Final Version
Rod Kippen

Creative Sessional Support Worker 2025                                                                                      1

KEY TASKS:

1.0  SPECIFIC TO THE POST HOLDER

1.1  To undertake assessments to assess the emotional health and well-being needs of

young people aged 11 to 25 years for their suitability to be part of the creative offer at
42nd Street.  This will be a holistic, needs need focused assessment including an
assessment of crisis and risk.

1.2  To be involved in the planning, delivery and evaluation of group work which responds

to the needs of young people who are experiencing a wide range of mental health
and wellbeing issues.

1.3  As part ongoing work, in collaboration with colleagues, identify, assess and mange
risks collaboratively with young people including risk assessments, and appropriate
liaison with relevant internal colleagues and external organisations where appropriate
services e.g. GPs.

1.4  To ensure that all work with young people aged 11-25 years proactively engages with

issues of equality, inclusion and the social model of mental health.

1.5  To support young people (11 to 25 years) to access creative group work and

individual sessions through The Horsfall at 42nd Street.

1.6  To support young people in designing posters and zines, drawing on your creative

experience to help them express their ideas and stories visually.

1.7  To support and assist with other group work sessions that 42nd Street delivers
through their peer work, social action, identity-based groups and drop-ins.

1.8  To establish relationships with and provide individual support to young people who

access the groups.

1.9  To undertake evaluation and monitoring  in line with 42nd Street’s processes and

procedures.

1.10  To link with colleagues internally to ensure holistic , accessible, joined-up support  at

42nd Street.

1.11  To ensure that the services provided are accessible and responsive to the needs of
the interactional needs of marginalised and minoritised young people that might
struggle to identify with and/or access creative opportunities and mental health
services including global majority young people, young people from diverse faiths and
cultures, LGBTQ+  young people, care experienced, estranged and care leavers,
young carers.

1.12  To liaise and network if requested to do so, with identified groups, agencies and

individuals who may be in contact with young people.  For example, schools, CAMHS
/ AMHS, children’s services, GPs, youth and community services, and parents/carers.

1.13  To play a role in the development and sharing of good practice in responding to the

mental health needs of young people in 42nd Street and externally, particularly in
relation to creative mental health.

Creative Sessional Support Worker 2025                                                                                      2

1.14  To play an active part in the evaluation of the work and to responding to the changing

needs of young people by co-developing new areas of work with them.

1.15  To work at our Manchester office base and at community venues across Greater
Manchester, dependent on the access needs of young people. This may involve
some lone work with support of the duty management system.

2.0  SHARED WITH ALL WORKERS:

2.1  Ensure that the values and principles underlying the organisation's mental health and
emotional  well-being  support  with  young  people  are  maintained  and  developed.
These  include  an  active  commitment  to  anti-discriminatory  practice  and  to  ensuring
that services are accessible to those young people who are often excluded from such
services

2.2  Be aware of and ensure compliance with legal requirements and internal policies with
particular reference to information governance, data protection, confidentiality, health
and safety, and safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

2.3  Ensure  the  maintenance  of  standards  of  practice  according  to  42nd  Street  and  any

regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g. BPS, HSCIC, UKCP, BABCP).

2.4  Contribute  to  the  development  of  42nd  Street  through  active  involvement  in  team

meetings, consultations and other relevant systems and structures.

2.5  Maintain  all  relevant  information  systems  including  monitoring  and  evaluation,

recording and personnel systems.

2.6  Be involved in staffing 42nd Street’s Duty/Co-Worker system, where this is relevant to

the role.

2.7  Participate in managerial and external supervision and have an active involvement in

professional development opportunities at 42nd Street.

2.8  Maintain safe systems of work at all times and take care of your own safety, and that

of colleagues and others who may be affected by your activities.

2.9  Undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with your

role.

2.10  Undertake any requests made by the Leadership Team at 42nd Street that is relevant

to this post.

2.11  Provide  some  of  your  work  at  times  other  than  office  hours  so  that  the  service  is
accessible,  depending  on  the  operating  times  of  partners  and  the  needs  of  young
people, this could mean evening and weekend work.

The  main  responsibilities  are  not  an  exhaustive  list  of  duties,  only  a  general  guide  to  the
post.   In  consultation  with  the  post-holder,  the  duties  may  change  from  time  to  time  to
reflect the changing needs of the service.

Creative Sessional Support Worker 2025                                                                                      3

PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Creative Sessional Support Worker

Note to applicants: The ideal post holder should meet all the essential requirements detailed below.
Consideration will be given to desirable requirements if there are more than 6 candidates who meet all the
essential requirements. With reference to the requirements under item 4 where it is referenced ‘application’ it
is sufficient to indicate agreement to commit to the identified professional areas.

SELECTION CRITERIA

METHOD OF
ASSESSMENT

ESSENTIAL  DESIRABLE

1.   Training, Qualifications & Experience
The successful candidate will have:

a.   Experience working with young people in creative or

✓  Application

support settings.

b.  Ability to work flexibly and respond to changing needs.
c.  Your own creative practice that supports the

understanding of various aspects involved in the
development, creation and showcasing of work.

d.  Ability to oversee projects from conception to realisation
including design aspects to create or promote the work

e.  Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

✓

✓

✓

✓

f.  Commitment to inclusive practice and safeguarding

g.  A minimum of 2 years’ experience working with young

people aged 11-25 years.

h.  Experience in providing effective and empowering

individual support to young people (11 - 25 year olds)
under stress / with mental health challenges.

✓
✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview

i.  Experience of delivering psycho-social support to young

people with learning disabilities, Autism Spectrum
Disorders and Asperger’s.

✓  Application
✓  Interview

j.  Experience of working with young people in a group

setting, and an ability to deal with difficult and
challenging group dynamics.

✓  Application
✓  Interview

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

2.   Knowledge
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

a.  Understanding of mental health and the role

creativity can play in well-being.

a.  Proficient ICT skills including use of Office applications.

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application

3.   Skills & Abilities
The successful candidate will be able to:
a.  Engaging young people individually using creative and

imaginative methods, models and processes.

✓  Application
✓  Interview

x

x

x

x

x

Mental Health Practitioner Creative Programmes (Psycho-Social Support). June 2023
1

Mnt

b.  Ability to project manage and realise creative projects
with young people.  Working within budgets and time
frames.

✓  Application
✓  Interview

c.  Work in a way that engages and demonstrates

consistent commitment to issues of equality and
diversity.

d.  Develop and deliver external training for a variety of

audiences.

e.  Effective and positive communicator, both in person and

in writing.

f.  Plan, organise and prioritise own workload and manage

time effectively.

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview.

4.   Professional Commitment
The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate commitment to:
a.  Ensuring that issue of equality and a respect for

diversity is reflected in all aspects of work.

✓  Application
✓  Interview

b.  Work at locations across Greater Manchester and work
up to 2 evenings per week and occasional weekends.

✓  Application

c.  Continued professional development through

undertaking training and participating in other learning
opportunities.

✓  Application

d.  Recognition of the need to be accountable for work
through supervision, performance management and
other relevant processes.

e.  Work as part of a team, contributing to 42nd Street’s

effectiveness, quality of services, skills and expertise.

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Mental Health Practitioner Creative Programmes (Psycho-Social Support). June 2023
2

Job Description

Job title:
Grade:
Contract end date:  Several fixed term roles are available, please refer to application form /

Mental Health Practitioner (Counselling & Therapy)
Payscale NJC 18 – 28: £31,537 - £39,152 per annum (pro rata)

Annual Leave:
Responsible to:
Location:

Hours of work:
Job Summary:

job advert. Contract subject to funding.
27 days per annum (pro rata)
Service Manager (Counselling & Therapy)
Office base in central Manchester and community-based work in
localities across Greater Manchester.
Various working patterns available as per the application form / advert.
You will work as part of a wider Counselling & Therapy Team providing
a range of quality therapeutic services to young people aged 11-25
years who are under stress or experiencing mental health difficulties.
The core element of the post is the direct delivery of counselling/therapy
to young people, with the possibility of delivering therapeutic group
work.

Our headquarters are in central Manchester, but you will need to be
happy to travel to deliver support in community-based locations,
schools and colleges across Greater Manchester. The role may involve
both face to face and online therapeutic support. This will be dependent
on the access needs of young people and the needs of the service.

We welcome counsellors and therapists from a range of disciplines. We
grow talent from within our team and there may be potential
opportunities to extend your learning by access to IAPT High Intensity
Therapy and/or Counselling for Depression training in the future.

Date:
Version:
Author:

November 2025
Final
 Chris Jacob

KEY TASKS:

1.0 SPECIFIC TO THE POST HOLDER

1.1  To deliver initial meetings to make appropriate initial assessments of the mental health
needs of young people aged 11 to 25 years. This will be a holistic needs focused
assessment including an assessment of risk.

1.2  As part of assessment and ongoing work, to identify and assess risks collaboratively with

young people and manage risk issues through full risk assessment, the development of
crisis action plans and appropriate liaison with relevant services e.g. statutory crisis
teams, GPs.

1.3  To ensure that all assessment work with young people aged 11-25 years proactively
engages with issues of equality, inclusion and the social model of mental health.

1.4  To refer young people (11 to 25 years) after initial assessment to the appropriate 42nd

Street service or to an alternative external agency.

Mental Health Practitioner (Counselling & Therapy). November 2025
1

1.5  To establish relationships with and provide individual counselling/therapy support with

built-in reviews to young people experiencing a wide range of mental health issues. This
work includes individual support, preventative work and work with young people who
may have had considerable contact with mental health services.

1.6  To offer a range of short, medium counselling/therapy work to young people in line with

assessed need and outcomes of regular reviews of support.

1.7  To be involved with group work that responds to the needs of young people who are
isolated and under stress.  This will include delivering therapeutic groups and
participation in ongoing drop-ins and other groups with other members of 42nd Street
staff.

1.8  To work with other counsellors/therapists to continue to develop an accessible and

appropriate counselling service at 42nd Street.

1.9  To ensure that the services provided are accessible and responsive to the needs of

Black, LGBTQ+ and other minoritised young people.

1.10  To liaise and network if requested to do so, with identified groups, agencies and

individuals who may be in contact with young people.  For example, schools, CAMHS /
AMHS, children’s services, GPs, youth and community services, and parents.

1.11  To play a role in the development and sharing of good practice in responding to the

mental health needs of young people in 42nd Street and externally.

1.12  To play an active part in the evaluation of your work and to respond to the changing

needs of young people by developing new areas of work.

1.13  To work at our Manchester office base and at community venues across Greater

Manchester, dependent on the access needs of young people and the needs of the
service. This may involve some lone work with support of the duty management system.

2.0  SHARED WITH ALL WORKERS:

2.1  Ensure  that  the  values  and  principles  underlying  the  organisation's  mental  health  and
emotional well-being support with young people are maintained and developed.  These
include an active commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and to ensuring that services
are  accessible  to  those  young  people  who  are  often  excluded  from  such  services,  for
example,  black  young  people,  disabled  young  people,  gay,  lesbian,  bisexual  and  trans
young people.

2.2  Be aware of and ensure compliance with legal requirements and internal policies with
particular reference to information governance, data protection, confidentiality, health
and safety, and safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

2.3  Mental Health Practitioners will adhere to the core principles of the Mental Capacity Act
(MCA) 2005, ensuring that the rights of the young person to information, effective
support and self-determination are protected.

2.4  Registration  with  relevant  counselling  and  psychotherapy  body  (eg.  BACP,  UKCP,

BABCP, NCS) and a willingness to work towards accreditation.

Mental Health Practitioner (Counselling & Therapy). November 2025
2

2.5  Contribute to the development of 42nd Street through active involvement in team meetings,

consultations and other relevant systems and structures.

2.6  Maintain all relevant information systems including monitoring and evaluation, recording

and personnel systems.

2.7  Be involved in staffing 42nd Street’s Duty/Co-Worker system, where this is relevant to the

role.

2.8  Participate  in  managerial  and  external  supervision  and  have  an  active  involvement  in

professional development opportunities at 42nd Street.

2.9  Maintain safe systems of work at all times and take care of your own safety, and that of

colleagues and others who may be affected by your activities.

2.10  Undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with your role.

2.11  Undertake any requests made by the Leadership Team at 42nd Street that is relevant to

this post.

2.12  Provide  some  of  your  work  at  times  other  than  office  hours  so  that  the  service  is
accessible, depending on the operating times of partners and the needs of young people,
this could mean evening and weekend work.

The main responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of duties, only a general guide to the post.  In
consultation with the post-holder, the duties may change from time to time to reflect the changing
needs of the service.

Mental Health Practitioner (Counselling & Therapy). November 2025
3

PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Mental Health Practitioner
(Counselling and Therapy)

Note to applicants: The ideal post holder should meet all the essential requirements detailed below.
Consideration will be given to desirable requirements if there are more than 6 candidates who meet all
the essential requirements. With reference to the requirements under item 4 where it is referenced
‘application’ it is sufficient to indicate agreement to commit to the identified professional areas.

SELECTION CRITERIA

METHOD OF
ASSESSMENT

ESSENTIAL  DESIRABLE

1.   Training, Qualifications & Experience
The successful candidate will have:
a.  A relevant professional qualification in

counselling or psychotherapy at Graduate Level
or the equivalent.

b.  A minimum of 2 years’ experience in providing

effective and empowering individual counselling
/ therapy to young people (11 - 25 year olds)
experiencing difficulties with their emotional
wellbeing and mental health.

c.  Experience of providing effective short term

(such as Brief Solution Focused Therapy) and
long term psychotherapy/counselling.

d.  Relevant training in Cognitive Behavioural

Therapy and experience of providing it to young
people with a range of mental health difficulties.

✓  Application

✓  Application

✓  Interview

✓  Application

✓  Interview

✓  Application

✓  Interview

x

x

x

e.  Experience of assessing the mental health

✓  Application

needs of young people from diverse
backgrounds.

✓  Interview

x

f.  Experience of working with young people with
mental health issues in a group setting, and an
ability to deal with difficult and challenging
group dynamics.

✓  Application

✓  Interview

g.  Experience of assessing and working

therapeutically with young people who self-harm
and experience suicidal feelings.

✓  Application

x

h.  Experience of delivering individual therapeutic
support to young people in the context of an
online service.

✓  Application

✓  Interview

i.  Experience of working with young people with

special educational needs (SEN).

✓  Application

✓  Interview

x

x

x

x

2.   Knowledge

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

Mental Health Practitioner (Counselling & Therapy). November 2025
4

a.  The mental health needs of young people

including an awareness of issues of diversity,
the social context of their lives and of the
different ways they may express stress.

b.  Proficient ICT skills including use of Office

applications.

3.   Skills & Abilities

✓  Application

✓  Interview

✓  Application

The successful candidate will be able to:

a.  Engaging young people individually in

psychotherapy/counselling using creative and
imaginative methods, models and processes.

b.  Liaise and network with a range of agencies
including statutory and voluntary sector
organisations.

✓  Application

✓  Interview

✓  Application

✓  Interview

c.  Work in a way that engages and demonstrates

✓  Application

consistent commitment to issues of equality and
diversity.

✓  Interview

d.  Develop and deliver external training for a

variety of audiences.

e.  Effective and positive communicator, both in

person and in writing.

f.  Plan, organise and prioritise own workload and

manage time effectively.

✓  Application

✓  Application

✓  Interview

✓  Application

✓  Interview.

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

4.   Professional Commitment

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate commitment to:

a.  Ensuring that issue of equality and a respect for

diversity is reflected in all aspects of work.

b.  Work at locations across Greater Manchester
and work up to 2 evenings per week and
occasional weekends.

c.  Continued professional development through
undertaking training and participating in other
learning opportunities.

✓  Application

✓  Interview

✓  Application

✓  Application

d.  Recognition of the need to be accountable for

✓  Application

work through supervision, performance
management and other relevant processes.

✓  Interview

e.  Work as part of a team, contributing to 42nd

✓  Application

Street’s effectiveness, quality of services, skills
and expertise.

✓  Interview

x

x

x

x

x

x

Mental Health Practitioner (Counselling & Therapy). November 2025
5

Job Description

Job title:
Grade:
Contract end date:  Several fixed term roles are available, please refer to application form /

Mental Health Practitioner (Psycho-Social Support)
Payscale NJC 18 – 28: £31,537 - £39,152 per annum (pro rata)

job advert. Contract subject to funding.
27 days per annum (pro rata)
Service Manager (Psycho-social Support)
Office base in central Manchester and community-based work in
localities across Greater Manchester
Various working patterns available as per the application form / advert.
You will work as part of a Psycho-social Support Team providing a
range of quality services to young people aged 13-25 years who are
under stress or experiencing mental health difficulties. Our Community
Mental Health team delivers work which combines individual support,
advocacy, delivery of projects and groups, and encourages young
people’s participation in the service. The core element of the post is the
direct delivery of individual therapeutic support to young people.

Our headquarters are in central Manchester but you will need to be
happy to travel to deliver support in community based locations, schools
and colleges across Greater Manchester. The role may involve both
face to face and online therapeutic support. This will be dependent on
the access needs of young people and the needs of the service.
November 2025
Final
Chris Jacob

Annual Leave:
Responsible to:
Location:

Hours of work:
Job Summary:

Date:
Version:
Author:

KEY TASKS:

1.0 SPECIFIC TO THE POST HOLDER

1.1  To deliver initial meetings so as to make appropriate initial assessments of the mental
health needs of young people aged 13 to 25 years. This will be a holistic needs
focused assessment including an assessment of risk.

1.2  As part of assessment and ongoing work, to identify and assess risks collaboratively

with young people and manage risk issues through full risk assessment, the
development of crisis action plans and appropriate liaison with relevant services e.g.
statutory crisis teams, GPs.

1.3  To ensure that all assessment work with young people aged 11-25 years proactively
engages with issues of equality, inclusion and the social model of mental health.

1.4  To refer young people (11 to 25 years) after initial assessment to the appropriate 42nd

Street service or to an alternative external agency.

1.5  To establish relationships with and provide individual support with built-in reviews to
young people experiencing a wide range of mental health difficulties. This work

Mental Health Practitioner (Psycho-Social Support). November 2025
1

includes individual support, preventative work and work with young people who may
have had considerable contact with mental health services.

1.6  To offer a range of short, medium and long term support to young people in line with

assessed need and outcomes of regular reviews.

1.7  To be involved in the planning, delivery and evaluation of group work which responds

to the needs of young people who are isolated and under stress.  This could include
co-delivery of ongoing drop-ins and groups with members of 42nd Street staff.

1.8  To work with other staff to continue to develop an accessible and appropriate

individual support service at 42nd Street.

1.9  To ensure that the services provided are accessible and responsive to the needs of

Black, LGBTQ+ and other minoritised young people.

1.10  To liaise and network if requested to do so, with identified groups, agencies and

individuals who may be in contact with young people.  For example, schools, CAMHS
/ AMHS, children’s services, GPs, youth and community services, and parents/carers.

1.11  To play a role in the development and sharing of good practice in responding to the

mental health needs of young people in 42nd Street and externally.

1.12  To play an active part in the evaluation of your work and to respond to the changing

needs of young people by developing new areas of work.

1.13  To work at our Manchester office base and at community venues across Greater
Manchester, dependent on the access needs of young people. This may involve
some lone work with support of the duty management system.

2.0  SHARED WITH ALL WORKERS:

2.1  Ensure that the values and principles underlying the organisation's mental health and
emotional well-being support with young people are maintained and developed.  These
include  an  active  commitment  to  anti-discriminatory  practice  and  to  ensuring  that
services  are  accessible  to  those  young  people  who  are  often  excluded  from  such
services,  for  example,  black  young  people,  disabled  young  people,  gay,  lesbian,
bisexual and trans young people.

2.2  Be aware of and ensure compliance with legal requirements and internal policies with
particular reference to information governance, data protection, confidentiality, health
and safety, and safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

2.3  Ensure  the  maintenance  of  standards  of  practice  according  to  42nd  Street  and  any

regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g. BPS, HSCIC, UKCP, BABCP).

2.4  Contribute  to  the  development  of  42nd  Street  through  active  involvement  in  team

meetings, consultations and other relevant systems and structures.

2.5  Maintain  all  relevant  information  systems  including  monitoring  and  evaluation,

recording and personnel systems.

2.6  Be involved in staffing 42nd Street’s Duty/Co-Worker system, where this is relevant to

the role.

Mental Health Practitioner (Psycho-Social Support). November 2025
2

2.7  Participate in managerial and external supervision and have an active involvement in

professional development opportunities at 42nd Street.

2.8  Maintain safe systems of work at all times and take care of your own safety, and that

of colleagues and others who may be affected by your activities.

2.9  Undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with your

role.

2.10  Undertake any requests made by the Leadership Team at 42nd Street that is relevant

to this post.

2.11  Provide  some  of  your  work  at  times  other  than  office  hours  so  that  the  service  is
accessible,  depending  on  the  operating  times  of  partners  and  the  needs  of  young
people, this could mean evening and weekend work.

The  main  responsibilities  are  not  an  exhaustive  list  of  duties,  only  a  general  guide  to  the
post.  In consultation with the post-holder, the duties may change from time to time to reflect
the changing needs of the service.

Mental Health Practitioner (Psycho-Social Support). November 2025
3

PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Mental Health Practitioner
(Psycho-Social Support)

Note to applicants: The ideal post holder should meet all the essential requirements detailed below.
Consideration will be given to desirable requirements if there are more than 6 candidates who meet
all the essential requirements. With reference to the requirements under item 4 where it is
referenced ‘application’ it is sufficient to indicate agreement to commit to the identified professional
areas.

SELECTION CRITERIA

METHOD OF
ASSESSMENT

ESSENTIAL  DESIRABLE

1.   Training, Qualifications & Experience
The successful candidate will have:
a.  A relevant professional qualification in Social

Work or Youth & Community Work at
Graduate Level or the equivalent.

b.  A minimum of 2 years’ experience working
with young people aged 11-25 years.

c.  Experience in providing effective and

empowering individual support to young
people (11 - 25 year olds) under stress / with
mental health difficulties.

d.  Experience of delivering psycho-social
support to young people with learning
disabilities, and/or neurodiverse young
people.

e.  Experience of providing effective short term
(such as Brief Solution Focused Therapy)
and long term support.

✓  Application

✓  Application

✓  Interview

✓  Application

✓  Interview

✓  Application

✓  Interview

✓  Application

✓  Interview

f.  Experience of assessing the mental health

✓  Application

needs of young people from diverse
backgrounds.

g.  Experience of working with young people
with mental health difficulties in a group
setting, and an ability to deal with difficult
and challenging group dynamics.

h.  Experience of assessing and working with

young people who self-harm and/or
experience suicidal feelings.

✓  Interview

✓  Application

✓  Interview

✓  Application

✓  Interview

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Mental Health Practitioner (Psycho-Social Support). November 2025
4

i.  Experience of delivering individual

therapeutic support to young people in the
context of an online service.

j.  Experience of working with young people
with special educational needs (SEN).

✓  Application

✓  Interview

✓  Application

✓  Interview

x

x

2.   Knowledge
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
a.  The mental health needs of young people

including an awareness of issues of
diversity, the social context of their lives and
of the different ways they may express
stress.

✓  Application

✓  Interview

b.  Proficient ICT skills including use of Office

applications.

✓  Application

3.   Skills & Abilities
The successful candidate will be able to:
a.  Engaging young people individually using
creative and imaginative methods, models
and processes.

✓  Application

✓  Interview

b.  Liaise and network with a range of agencies
including statutory and voluntary sector
organisations.

✓  Application

✓  Interview

c.  Work in a way that engages and

demonstrates consistent commitment to
issues of equality and diversity.

✓  Application

✓  Interview

d.  Develop and deliver external training for a

variety of audiences.

✓  Application

e.  Effective and positive communicator, both in

✓  Application

person and in writing.

✓  Interview

f.  Plan, organise and prioritise own workload

✓  Application

and manage time effectively.

✓  Interview

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

4.   Professional Commitment
The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate commitment to:
a.  Ensuring that issue of equality and a respect
for diversity is reflected in all aspects of
work.

✓  Application

✓  Interview

x

b.  Work at locations across Greater

Manchester and work up to 2 evenings per
week and occasional weekends.

✓  Application

x

Mental Health Practitioner (Psycho-Social Support). November 2025
5

c.  Continued professional development through

undertaking training and participating in
other learning opportunities.

✓  Application

d.  Recognition of the need to be accountable
for work through supervision, performance
management and other relevant processes.

✓  Application

✓  Interview

e.  Work as part of a team, contributing to 42nd
Street’s effectiveness, quality of services,
skills and expertise.

✓  Application

✓  Interview

x

x

x

Mental Health Practitioner (Psycho-Social Support). November 2025
6

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Mental Health Practitioner (Integrated Community Response)

Job title:
Grade:
Contract end
date:

Mental Health Practitioner (Integrated Community Response)
Pay scale NJC Pt.18 - Pt. 28 £31,537 - £39,152 (pro-rata)
•  There are 2 posts available. 1 practitioner will be based in Salford at
the West Family Hub (Little Hulton) and the other in the Salford
Central Hub (Broughton).

•  Fixed term 12-month contract subject to funding, with the possibility of

Annual Leave:
Responsible
to:
Location:

extension.

27 days per annum (pro rata)
Service Manager or Senior Practitioner (Integrated Community Response)

Located within community settings, primarily in Manchester, Salford or Trafford
but some travel across Greater Manchester. One day per week is required at our
HQ in central Manchester.

Hours of work:  37.5 hours per week (Full time).
Job Summary:  You will deliver short-term, responsive de-escalation and resilience building,

solution focused, emotional wellbeing and mental health support to young
people 11–25 years old in community-based settings.

The role is in partnership with the NHS, social care and VCSE organisations so
that practitioners can respond effectively to a young person’s immediate needs.

The ICR model places 42nd Street practitioners in identified mental health, social
care and VSCE teams and community-based settings where young people
regularly present with episodes of psycho-social distress and risk.

The role also links to the Greater Manchester Children and Young Peoples Crisis
Care Pathway providing crisis stepped down support for young people in distress
(Safe Zones)

The role supports vulnerable young people who have experienced trauma.
Young people may also have experience of one of more of the following: social
care involvement; crisis presentation with a statutory mental health service;
known to or on the edge of the criminal justice system; survivor or witness of
violent crime; care experience or edge of care.

The model also includes strengthening partnership working, capacity building and
aligning of services across the system and across sectors and is expected to
reduce the need for crisis/acute services and ensure that where referrals are
made they are appropriate, high quality and meet the young people’s needs.

Specifically, the post holder will be responsible for:
•  Assessing vulnerable young people that present to the service and ensuring a

young person-centred, psycho-social, advocacy approach underpins all
support interventions.

•  Acting as a key practitioner for integrated delivery models in collaboration

with other organisations across Salford, Manchester and Tameside and more
widely across Greater Manchester.

•  Leading on de-escalation, assessment and screening processes alongside

young people.

•  Supporting young people to access appropriate services and opportunities
across education, health, social care and voluntary community and social
enterprise (VCSE) organisations.

•  Delivery of timely and effective support interventions, in line with agreed

service standards and working to best practice.

1 | P a g e

•  Contributing to the 42nd Street Duty/Welcome team.
•  Contribution to the learning and development of practitioners across the wider

integrated project team.

Post holders will deliver services that best support young people and integrate with
the setting that they are assigned to work with. This may mean working weekends
and anti-social hours.

Date:
Version:
Author:

December 2025
Final Version
Tim Eaton

 KEY TASKS

1.

CLINICAL:

1.1.  Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the ICR partnership service, providing
.       consultations to partners to enable referrals that reflect the needs of the young .
…… person.

1.2  Provide 1-1 mental health and emotional well-being support to young people, mostly

face to face (telephone, text based, and remote working are also options).

1.3.  Work with young people to identify and access suitable and timely support across

health, social care and VCSE services.

1.4.  As part of the 42nd Street Duty/Welcome Team screen referrals for suitability into the

organisation liaising with young people/referrers where required, provide de-escalation
support/risk assessment to young people in distress, respond promptly to enquiries
made into the organisation from young people, parents/carers and professionals.’

1.5.  Formulate, implement, and deliver intervention plans with young people and partners.

1.6.  Use highly developed communication skills in working with young people to

understand their personal and often very sensitive difficulties and where appropriate
advocate with them and on their behalf.

1.7.  Exercise autonomous, professional responsibility for the assessment and therapeutic

support of young people in line with the service.

1.8.  Educate and involve family members and others in project settings where appropriate,

conveying relevant information with sensitivity.

1.9.  Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of therapeutic sessions

offered, and sessions delivered per week in order to minimise waiting times and
ensure that support remains accessible and convenient.

1.10. Attend multi-disciplinary meetings and support the workforce development across the

project

2 | P a g e

1.11. Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service and support

others where necessary.

1.12. Keep coherent records of all therapeutic activity in line with service protocols and

support others to do the same.

1.13. Work closely with other members of the team, in specific identified settings, ensuring
appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped
care approach.

1.14. Liaise with other health and social care staff from a range of agencies in the support of
young people, ensuring integrated and joined up care plans centred around young
people’s needs.

1.15. Use regular supervision and external supervision to reflect and identify areas for

personal and professional development.

2.0  PROFESSIONAL

2.1.  Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to 42nd Street and

any regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g. BPS,  UKCP, BABCP).

2.2.  Mental Health Practitioners will adhere to the core principles of the Mental
Capacity Act (MCA) 2005, ensuring that the rights of the young person to
information, effective support and self-determination are protected.

2.3.  Ensure that young people’s confidentiality is always protected.

2.4.  Ensure clear professional objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed on a

regular basis as part of continuing professional development (CPD).

2.5.  Attend external clinical, internal managerial supervision and team meetings on a

regular basis as agreed with Manager.

2.6.  Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives and

contribute to the performance review/management of colleagues where appropriate.

2.7.  Keep timely, up to date records pertaining to all of your work with young people

2.8.  Attend relevant conferences / workshops and training in line with identified

professional objectives.

3.

Shared with all workers:

3.1  To ensure that the values and principles underlying the organisation's mental health
and emotional well-being support with young people are maintained and developed.
These include an active commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and to ensuring
that services are accessible to those young people who are often excluded from such
services, for example, black young people, disabled young people, gay, lesbian,
bisexual and trans young people.

3.2  To contribute to ensuring that young people have a voice within 42nd Street to

effectively influence internal practice and policy and practice and policy at a local,
regional and national level

3.3  To be aware of and ensure compliance with legal requirements and internal policies
with particular reference to information governance, data protection, confidentiality,
health and safety, and safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

3 | P a g e

3.4  Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to 42nd Street and any

regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g. BPS, BACP, HCPC, HSCIC,
UKCP, BABCP).

3.5  To contribute to the development of 42nd Street through active involvement in team

meetings, consultations and other relevant systems and structures.

3.6  To maintain all relevant information systems including monitoring, recording and

personnel systems.

3.7  To be involved in staffing 42nd Street’s Duty/Co-Worker system.

3.8  To participate in managerial and external supervision and have an active involvement

in professional development opportunities at 42nd Street

3.9  To maintain safe systems of work at all times and take care of your own safety, and

that of colleagues and others who may be affected by your activities.

3.10  To undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with

your role.

3.11  To undertake any requests made by the Management Team at 42nd Street that is

relevant to this post.

3.12  To provide some of your work at times other than office hours so that the service is
accessible. This means regular evenings until 8pm (up to two per week) and some
weekends.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties, only a general guide to the post. In consultation with the
post-holder, the duties may change from time to time to reflect the changing needs of the
service

4 | P a g e

PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Mental Health Practitioner (Integrated Community
Response)

Note to applicants: The ideal post holder should meet all the essential requirements detailed below.
Consideration will be given to desirable requirements if there are more than 6 candidates who meet all
the essential requirements. With reference to the requirements under item 5 where it is referenced
‘application’ it is sufficient to indicate agreement to commit to the identified professional areas.

SELECTION CRITERIA

METHOD OF
ASSESSMENT

ESSENTIAL  DESIRABLE

Training, Qualifications & Experience
The successful candidate will have:
A relevant professional qualification in
counselling, therapy, youth work, social work or 3
years’ professional experience of working with
young people.

Experience of assessing the needs of young
people from diverse backgrounds.

✓  Application

✓  Application
✓  Interview

X

X

X

X

X

X

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview

Experience of supporting young people who are
distressed and need support to remain safe and
to reduce risky behaviours and thoughts.
Experience of working with vulnerable young
people with complex lives and/or with mental
health difficulties.
Experience of working alongside young people to
plan, develop and evaluate support plans, using
young person-centred approaches.
Experience in working closely with a variety of
multi-disciplinary professionals across agencies
and sectors.
Experience of delivering training to multi-
disciplinary teams.
Knowledge
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Understanding the needs of young people
including an awareness of issues of diversity and
the social and cultural context of their lives.
Knowledge of the broad issues surrounding
emotional wellbeing / mental health services for
young people.
Proficient ICT skills including use of Microsoft
Office applications.
A working understanding of risk management
including safeguarding, confidentiality and data
protection.
Skills & Abilities
The successful candidate will be able to:
Engage young people individually and in groups
using creative and young person-centred
methods, models and processes.
Liaise with and develop key relationships with
partners and colleagues.

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

3.0

3.1

3.2

5 | P a g e

3.3

3.4

Communicate positively, effectively and
sensitively in person and in writing with a variety
of audiences.

Plan, organise and prioritise own workload and
manage time effectively.

✓  Application
✓  Interview

✓  Application
✓  Interview.

X

X

4.0

4.1

✓  Application

Professional Commitment
The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate commitment to:
Ensuring that issue of equality and a respect for
diversity is reflected in all aspects of work.
4.2  Work at locations across Salford and Manchester
and be prepared to work some evenings,
weekends and anti-social hours.
Continued professional development through
undertaking training and participating in other
learning opportunities.
Recognition of the need to be accountable for
work through supervision, performance
management and other relevant processes.

✓  Application

✓  Application

✓  Application

4.4

4.3

X

X

X

X

4.5  Work as part of a team, contributing to 42nd

Street’s effectiveness, quality of services, skills
and expertise.

✓  Application

X

6 | P a g e

ROLE DESCRIPTION:
Good Work IPS Employment Specialist

Role title:

Grade:

Contract end date:
Annual Leave:

Working
relationships:
Location:

Good Work Individual Placement Support Employment
Specialist
Pay scale - NJC Pts. 20: £32,597 – 28: £39,152 per annum (pro
rata)
Role funded until March 2027
27 days per annum (pro rata)

Reports to: Workforce Development and EDI Manager
Line Manages: IPS Peer Support Consultant
Hybrid: Remote, based at our Manchester HQ & community
locations across Manchester (may include GM locations)

Hours of work:

37.5 hours per week, with some evening and weekend work as
required

Role Summary:

Date:
Version:
Author:

You will work with a caseload of young people who have mental
health support needs, to assist them in securing sustainable paid
employment in line with their preferences.  Alongside the Peer
Consultant your role is to empower young people and advocate on
their behalf in employment.
You will deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS)
approach (for which training will be given), providing person centred
advice and guidance to young people.

An important part of the role is to build positive relationships with
local/national employers to enable young people to move into
suitable paid employment.  This role also includes
providing support to employers in embedding good practice for
employees around emotional health and wellbeing.

We require someone who can work on their own initiative and
has confidence and expertise in networking to be able
to promote the IPS project to employers around the benefits of this
model of work.
V1 06/10/2017 / V2 12/02/2025
FINAL
V3 Katrina Garg, Karina Nyananyo and Al Baldwin

Main Responsibilities of IPS Employment Specialist

1.0   Core Responsibilities:

1.1 Manage  a  caseload  of approximately 20 young  people who  have  mental  health

support needs who are motivated to start/return to work.

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1.2 Deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach for which training will
be given. Click the link for further info –  https://ipsgrow.org.uk/careers/why-work-in-
ips/ips-employment-specialist/

1.3 Meet and support young people to understand their key skills, aspirations and goals
through completing  a  Vocational  Profile  and  produce  an Action  Plan  to  help  them
obtain and sustain competitive employment. This may include support with their job
search,  CV  production,  application
interview techniques and  career
development.

forms,

1.4 Assess

the  person’s  support  needs  related

include
benefits/welfare  advice,  disclosure  of  mental  health  symptoms  etc,  and  provide
support & guidance.

to  work  which  may

1.5 Attend relevant meetings including team meetings and whole team meetings as an

embedded IPS practitioner.

1.6 Source job opportunities for young people through tailored job searches and regular

contact with employers to explore employment opportunities.

1.7 Provide  education  and  support  to  employers,  as  agreed  with  the young  person,
which  may  include  negotiating  adjustments,  return  to  work  strategy  and  on-going
contact with the employer to ensure job retention.

1.8 Build  relationships  with 42nd  Street colleagues/teams  to  engage  and  generate

referrals and create collaborative working partnerships.

1.9 Once  employment  has  been  secured  continue

through regular
contact, effective monitoring and
people and employers to help sustain employment.

to  provide  quality  service
to young
support
in-work

1.10  Manage  a  peer  consultant  and  work  with  them  to  develop  a  framework  for
employers  to  help  them  meet  the  needs  of  young  people  with  mental  health
difficulties.

2.0 Relationship Management:

Establish positive and integrated relationships with the various teams, employers and other
service providers. This includes:

2.1  To build and maintain employer relationships and maintain employer engagement

database.

2.2  Arrange regular  meetings with  young  people to  monitor  and  review  progress  pre-

and post-employment.

2.3 Network and build relationships with employers, to negotiate job opportunities that

meet everyone’s strengths, needs, abilities and preferences.

2.4 Understand and challenge  inequalities experienced  by  young  people  and  address
existing discrimination, whilst ensuring a process of learning for the organisation.

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2.5 Work  with  employers  to  promote  the  service, identify job  opportunities  and
ensure appropriate strategies are in place to reduce barriers in the workplace – this
can  include  exploring ‘hidden’  job  opportunities  further  to  create  employment
opportunities.

2.6 To develop effective working relationships with a range of external agencies who can
help young  people to  achieve  their  employment  goals.  This  may  include  local
colleges and training providers.

3.0   Other:

3.1 To adhere to administrative and data capture protocols which record the progress of
young people, and to keep accurate and complete records of casework.

3.2 To work independently, reliably and deliver consistently to deliver an effective IPS
practice model.

3.3 To work confidently with the Marketing and Comms manager to ensure the effective
marketing of the IPS project.

3.4 Ensure that effective monitoring and evaluation systems are adhered to and keep
abreast of changing themes through working closely with the 42nd Street data,
monitoring and evaluation team.

3.5 To support the Peer Consultant to consult with young people for the ongoing
development of the IPS project.

3.6 To collect quarterly case studies based on young people’s journey within the IPS
programme.

3.7 Ensure that all relevant policies are implemented such as information governance,
safeguarding etc.

3.8 Partake in continuous learning about mental health conditions, their impact and how
they can be managed and undertake mandatory training as required.

3.9 Work flexible hours as required.

4.0

Location:

4.1

The Space, 87-91 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester, M4 5AG.

The principal responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of duties, only a general guide to the
post. In consultation with the Chair, the duties may change from time to time to reflect the
changing needs of the service.

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Qualities:
Good Work IPS Employment Specialist

   CRITERIA

ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

1.0   Essential qualities

The successful individual will have:

1.1   Qualifications and training

•  Educated to a degree/diploma level or equivalent
experience (Youth Work, Social Work, Teaching,
Psychology)

1.2   Experience

•  2 years' experience of working with young people with

mental health support needs, (or a similar group) within
health, youth service, children’s services or the voluntary
sector

•  Experience of working with young adults on a one-to-one

basis

•  Experience of caseload management

o  Experience of managing multiple tasks at any

one time

o  The ability to engage with employers

•  Experience of working alongside funders/commissioners
to influence decision makers on behalf of young people
Identifying and contacting employers to ensure
partnership working and maintenance of employer
relationship.

•

•  Brokering the relationships between young people and

employers to ensure the positive employment experience
for all.

•  Experience of working confidently and proactively to

influence decision-makers

1.3   Knowledge

•  An understanding of the employment needs, and

challenges faced by people who experience mental
health difficulties

•  Knowledge of a broad range of networks and

organisations to create employment opportunities for
young people

•  Developing a knowledge of a broad range of occupations

and jobs

•  Able to use IT and tools such as MS Word, PowerPoint

and Excel

o  Ability to use Excel confidently and develop
presentations with the data gathered.

X

X

X

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1.4   Skills

•  Good motivational, listening, communication and

networking skills with both young people and employers.
•  Confidence in your interpersonal skills and ability to build

X

rapport with a range of people including young
people, employers and funders/commissioners.

•  Good organisational ability
•  Proven experience of meeting and exceeding outcomes

and targets

•  Ability to build close, trusting and productive relationships

•

with young people
 Understand the importance of working collaboratively
within the various 42nd Street teams to ensure the
success of the project

•  Ability to work independently and use initiative to develop
and promote a service to referrers, young people and
employers

1.5   Personal qualities

X

•  Non-judgemental and trustworthy
•  Empathy with the needs of those with mental health

support needs

•  Passion and drive to make a positive difference to

people's lives

•  Highly motivated with a genuine belief that someone with

a mental health condition can find paid employment
•  Resilient and tenacious to not give up despite setbacks

and frustrations

•  Self-aware of personal strengths and weaknesses and

actively invest in personal and professional development

•  Willingness to travel within Greater Manchester

2.0   Desirable qualities

The successful candidate will have:

2.1   Qualifications and training
•  Trained in IPS approach
•  Level 3 Diploma in Employability Services Sector

Qualification

•  QCF in Advice & Guidance (Level 3)

2.2   Experience

•  Experience of supporting people to obtain or keep work
•  Experience of working within mental health services
•  Personal lived experience of recovery from mental health

difficulties

•  Previous experience of delivering a service using the IPS

model is a bonus

2.3   Knowledge

•  Knowledge of the benefits agency and all disability/

employment related benefits

2.4

Skills

•  Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to build

rapport with a range of people

•  Good organisational ability
•  Natural ability to build close, trusting and productive

relationships with people

•  Team orientated and works collaboratively within a

mixed-disciplinary team

X

X

X

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3.0

3.1

Time Commitment:
The successful individual will be able commit to the following:
 Evening and weekend work when necessary

3.2

Full time hours

X

X

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