About this role
Job summary
Imagine walking into a school where young people feel confident to talk about their worries, because youve helped create that environment.
This is the impact youll have as a Schools Practitioner with our North Birmingham team. Youll join a passionate and supportive team working across schools to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, helping them access the right support at the right time. The role is open to Arts Therapists, Occupational Therapists and other professionals with the relevant qualifications and experience outlined in the person specification.
No two days are the same. You will support children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties through one to one sessions, group work and family support. Youll work closely with teachers and school staff to create mentally healthy learning environments where pupils can grow in confidence and thrive.
You will also support and mentor Education Mental Health Practitioners and trainees, sharing your expertise with schools, families and partner agencies to help shape an inclusive, compassionate and effective service.
This role is perfect for someone who wants to use their empathy, creativity and professional skills to help children and young people find their voice, overcome challenges and achieve their potential. Interested? Wed love to see your application!
Main duties of the job
You are someone who cares deeply about the wellbeing of children and young people and wants to use your professional skills to help every pupil feel safe, supported and able to thrive.
To succeed in this role, you will bring:
A core professional qualification, for example Arts Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Education Mental Health Practice, Childrens Wellbeing Practice, Psychological Wellbeing Practice, Social Work or Nursing At least two years experience of working therapeutically with children and young people Confidence in risk assessment and safeguarding practice Experience of providing clinical supervision or staff support Skills in engaging with families and carers to build strong relationships The ability to lead, delegate and adapt when priorities change Proficiency in IT and commitment to evidence based practice and data collection Excellent communication skills and the ability to connect with children and young people A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle It would also be great if you have experience of working in schools or community settings, delivering cognitive behavioural therapy informed supervision, or a postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline. These are not essential.
Above all, we are looking for someone with empathy, resilience and the belief that every child deserves the chance to be heard and supported.
If this sounds like you, we would love to see the impact you could bring to our team.
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: 01.10.2026 #LI-BE1 #CompBham
Job description Job responsibilities
Imagine walking into a school where young people feel confident to talk about their worries, because youve helped create that environment.
This is the impact youll have as a Schools Practitioner with our North Birmingham team. Youll join a passionate and supportive team working across schools to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, helping them access the right support at the right time. The role is open to Arts Therapists, Occupational Therapists and other professionals with the relevant qualifications and experience outlined in the person specification.
No two days are the same. You will support children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties through one to one sessions, group work and family support. Youll work closely with teachers and school staff to create mentally healthy learning environments where pupils can grow in confidence and thrive.
You will also support and mentor Education Mental Health Practitioners and trainees, sharing your expertise with schools, families and partner agencies to help shape an inclusive, compassionate and effective service.
This role is perfect for someone who wants to use their empathy, creativity and professional skills to help children and young people find their voice, overcome challenges and achieve their potential. Interested? Wed love to see your application!
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Core professional and/or clinical qualification e.g. EMHP, CWP, PMHW, Senior EMHP, arts therapists, nursing with specialism in mental health or learning disability nursing, Occupational Therapy, Social Work. Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
Management / supervision training Post Graduate qualification in a relevant discipline. Mentorship qualification
Experience Essential
2 years working therapeutically with children and young people Experience of effective engagement with families and carers Risk assessment and management in the delivery of clinical services (including safeguarding). Evidence of clinical development in practice
Desirable
Experience of delivering CBT informed supervision Experience of line management and/or delivery of clinical supervision Experience of inducting staff members to the area with confidence Experience of working in a community and/or educational environment Experience of organising team duties
Additional Criteria Essential
Leadership and the ability to delegate and support staff. Planning workload, time management. Ability to manage changing priorities. Understand need for evidence and data collection, and achieving targets. IT skills. Team player and a dynamic personality. Excellent communication skills and able to relate to children and young people. Positive attitude; flexible and adaptable; solution focused; and tenacious. Has a strong degree of personal integrity. Possession of full UK driving licence and access to vehicle.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Compass
Address 3rd Floor, Pinnacle House
Harborne Road
Birmingham
Warwickshire
B153AA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.compass-uk.org/ (Opens in a new tab)