Children's Wellbeing Practitioner

30 hours per week / permanent / £34,475 per annum, pro rata / Monday Thursday 9am 5pm

YMCA DownsLink Group is the leading charity for children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. We offer safe homes, mental health support and trusted advice.

We believe that every child and young person has the right to be safe, heard and to shape their own future. We work alongside them to make that happen.

We are here for children and young people, many of whom face multiple challenges and need our support.

Our Values - we do what s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections guide us in all our actions.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Children s Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP) to join our innovative Children and Young People (CYP) Wellbeing Service, which serves as the central hub for all mental health referrals for young people in Brighton & Hove.

Your contracted base will be our main office in central Hove, and you will deliver services from either Worthing Foyer or Worthing Library in West Sussex, as well as online.

Our service provides primary care mental health support for children and young people aged 2 25 who are experiencing mild to moderate difficulties. We offer a range of short term, evidence based interventions tailored to each person s needs and developmental stage. These include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling, low intensity psychological interventions, group programmes, creative therapies, and social prescribing.

As a Children s Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP) you will deliver evidence based psychosocial interventions within the scope of the service s threshold to a caseload of children and young people. You will provide early intervention to children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties. This includes delivering individual sessions (online and face to face) and co-facilitating groups, using low intensity interventions using CBT tools and techniques.

Key responsibilities:

• Delivering Child Wellbeing Practice according to indicated, evidence based national guidelines
• Liaising with children and young people, their parents, families and carers where appropriate
• Assess mental health difficulties and triaging referrals
• Working with additional supporting professionals to ensure effective and practical support for children and their families/carers
• Engage calmly and with sensitivity and empathy to support children, young people and families in highly distressing or emotional circumstances
• Be responsive to children and young people s needs and choices; and uphold their right to be treated with dignity and respect
• Seek consultation from line manager/clinical supervisor on the clinical delivery of the service, including safeguarding/child protection issues and decision making regarding the client group

Qualifications, knowledge, and experience

• Required: Children s Wellbeing Practitioner Graduate/Postgraduate Certificate e.g., Child Wellbeing Practice Graduate/Postgraduate Diploma or Child and Young Persons Psychological Wellbeing Practice Postgraduate Diploma. Postgraduate Certificate in Evidence-based Psychological Treatment Children and Young People s Wellbeing Practitioner
• Desirable: Two+ years' experience delivering LIPI or CWP in a Child & Young People's Wellbeing service. BABCP accreditation
• You will have proven experience in safeguarding children and young people, responding to, managing, and referring safeguarding issues
• You will also have a sound understanding of child protection, policies, and procedures

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 12 April 2026 at midnight.

PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorship for this role, so applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment.

Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns.

Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children s and Adults Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity check.