Mental Health Youth Worker for our Be Heard service
Children and Young People Service
Closing Date for Applications: 16th July 2025
Teesside Mind is committed to providing services that meet the needs of our community. A key objective for our organisation is to provide additional support to young people in Teesside who are experiencing mental health difficulties. Following six months of research and co-design with local young people, we are piloting a drop-in service that will be open to young people aged 11 – 16 years old.
The successful candidates will work in a dedicated team to deliver a drop-in service for young people with a focus on listening to young people, understanding their immediate needs, and providing activities and support that maintain and improve their mental health.
Overview
As a Mental Health Youth worker, you will work closely with the team manager and volunteers in overseeing the young people accessing the drop-in service – providing psychoeducation, self-help and practical support as needed.
You’ll do this by:
• Creating a welcoming, safe and accessible environment for young people who attend the drop-in.
• Providing opportunities for young people to engage in positive activities that promote mental health and wellbeing.
• Directing young people to sources of advice and support as identified.
• Identifying concerns about young people attending in the drop-in and following these up in line with service policies and procedures.
• Providing a confidential space for young people to receive support when needed.
• Developing and facilitating workshops and emotional wellbeing activities.
Qualifications & Experience Required
• Educated to NVQ Level 3 or above, or equivalent in youth & community work
• Youth worker experience
• Safeguarding young people
Main Responsibilties
- Work face-to-face within the drop-in service and develop positive relationships with young people based on respect and trust, ensuring they have a safe place to attend.
- Provide a listening and understanding ear and engage in meaningful activities with young people to benefit their mental health and wellbeing.
- Engage with line management and peer support to identify and share best ways of working.
- Establish boundaries and address any inappropriate behaviour within the drop-in.
- Recognise signs of distress in young people, dealing with this promptly, appropriately and consistently, signposting and referring on where necessary.
- Support young people to develop independence, resilience, and positive activities, and signposting them for further support when appropriate.
- Understand and meet the needs of young people regarding mental health information and support within the drop-in setting.
- Bring creative thinking, energy, and commitment to the service, to motivate and engage young people.
- Take responsibility for own health and safety and all health and safety issues related to the role and contribute to Health and Safety systems.
- Undertake administrative duties as needed.
- Work within the policies and procedures of Teesside Mind at all times.
- Undertake other tasks commensurate with the position as required including acting as a key holder to open and lock Be Heard community based venues.
Working Hours
The role is for 10 hours a week, delivering sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and 2 hours for other duties which will be during the day (this is flexible).
Salary Range
£25,192.81 per annum pro rata for part time