About this role
Job summary
Join us in making a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people in care.
We are seeking an experienced and compassionate CiC Team Leader to lead our Children in Care service, delivering high quality emotional health and wellbeing support to children in care, care leavers, carers and professionals.
Working closely with Coventry City Council, specialist CAMHS services and partner organisations, you will provide operational leadership, practice supervision and direct therapeutic support. Alongside managing a clinical caseload, you will lead a team of practitioners and counsellors, oversee referral pathways, support service development and ensure interventions remain responsive, effective and outcome focused.
You will build strong partnerships across health, education and social care, contribute to strategic planning and help shape innovative approaches that improve outcomes for children and young people. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about combining leadership with therapeutic practice in a values led organisation committed to early intervention and positive change.
Main duties of the job
You will be an accredited Children and Young People's Counsellor with a recognised supervisory qualification and experience of supporting children and young people with emotional health and wellbeing needs.
You will have:
Experience of leading teams and providing supervision Experience working with children, young people and families Strong knowledge of safeguarding, risk management and relevant legislation Experience of working within multi agency partnerships Excellent communication, organisational and relationship building skills The ability to manage complex situations and support colleagues with professional guidance A positive, adaptable and solution focused approach that reflects Compass values Experience of working with Children in Care, within social care settings, or contributing to service development would be beneficial but is not essential. If you are passionate about improving emotional wellbeing outcomes and ready to lead a dedicated team supporting children and young people, we encourage you to apply.
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: 25.06.2026 #LI-BE1 #CompShine
Job description Job responsibilities
Join us in making a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people in care.
We are seeking an experienced and compassionate CiC Team Leader to lead our Children in Care service, delivering high quality emotional health and wellbeing support to children in care, care leavers, carers and professionals.
Working closely with Coventry City Council, specialist CAMHS services and partner organisations, you will provide operational leadership, practice supervision and direct therapeutic support. Alongside managing a clinical caseload, you will lead a team of practitioners and counsellors, oversee referral pathways, support service development and ensure interventions remain responsive, effective and outcome focused.
You will build strong partnerships across health, education and social care, contribute to strategic planning and help shape innovative approaches that improve outcomes for children and young people. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about combining leadership with therapeutic practice in a values led organisation committed to early intervention and positive change.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
An accredited Children and Young Peoples Counsellor (BACP or equivalent) An accredited Supervisory Qualification (inclusive of counselling) Relevant further or higher education qualification for example NVQ health and social care, youth work diploma, diploma in social work, relevant degree
Experience Essential
Working collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team including provision of operational leadership. Working in community with Children, young people and families. Working with children and young people with emotional health needs or additional vulnerabilities. Working with young people and/or adults of all ages with behavioural and/or mental health issues and/ or learning disabilities. Experience of operationally leading a team. Working knowledge of health, education, social services and the voluntary sector and have the ability to work in partnership with other professionals from a range of multi disciplinary backgrounds Must demonstrate knowledge of current legislation including the Children Act 1989, 2004, the Human Rights Act 1998, safeguarding of children and adults, and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 Demonstrate the application of values in mental health practice including the ability to identify, challenge and where possible redress discrimination and inequality. Knowledge of safeguarding issues and have the skills to be able to apply knowledge appropriately with complex cases Must be experienced in and able to demonstrate proficiency in case management responsibility including making properly informed independent decisions and communication
Desirable
Experience of working with Children In Care Experience of working in a social care setting Research and audit experience Experience of developing services Experience of working therapeutically with Children, Young People or families.
Additional Criteria Essential
Ability to lead others and delegate/supervise staff Recognition and escalation of risk, contributing to control measure Planning workload, time management Work under pressure and able to manage changing priorities Understand need for evidence and statistical data collection, and achieving targets Good IT skills Team player and an enthusiastic personality Multi-agency/disciplinary working Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage CYPF Innovate practice and ability to influence others Ability to analyse, evaluate and rationalise data and enable progressive models of delivery and intervention Visionary approach to managing change and transition Positive attitude, flexible and adaptable, solution focused and tenacious Able to work all year round and flexibly as part of a team to best meet business need Possession of full UK driving licence and access to vehicle Ongoing commitment to maintain registration in core profession (if appropriate).
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 Jardine Crescent
Coventry
CV4 9PL
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.compass-uk.org/ (Opens in a new tab)