Senior Link Worker

Are you passionate about improving the lives of children and young people?

Can you engage with hard-to-reach children and young people and enable them to improve their mental health and wellbeing?

Are you looking for a role that supports a positive work life balance, and offers flexibility in working hours?

 

Barnardo's, in partnership with NHS Oxford Health Trust, are seeking a suitably qualified and highly motivated full time Senior Link Worker to join a service in Wiltshire. The Senior Link worker will work as part of a team of Link workers, alongside Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) to offer non-clinical support to children and young people, including:

1:1 and group support for wellbeing Social prescribing and community navigation Community and school-based support Advice and guidance, including self-help

This role offers a unique opportunity to work within both the Barnardo's framework and under an honorary NHS contract, contributing to the wellbeing of the community's youth.  Senior Link Workers will be adaptable and flexible to the needs of children and young people, offering support in places and spaces across Wiltshire.  CAMHS offices are located in Melksham, Marlborough and Salisbury; successful candidates will be based primarily in Melksham and Marborough.

Successful candidates will have experience in line management and will provide supervision and guidance to the volunteer workforce.  

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications:

Qualification in a relevant field such as Youth Work, Psychology, Education, Social Care or equivalent. Willingness to complete Social Prescribing – Learning for Link Workers Training.

Experience:

Demonstrable experience working with children, young people, and families in a mental health or social care setting. Proven ability to conduct assessments, develop support plans, and provide advocacy for vulnerable individuals. Experience in establishing and maintaining effective partnerships with external agencies and professionals. Experience in line management.

Knowledge:

Understanding of child and adolescent mental health issues, including common disorders, symptoms, and the role of the CAMHS Link Worker. Familiarity with safeguarding protocols and procedures, ensuring the welfare of children and young people. Knowledge of local community resources, mental health support services, and referral pathways. Understanding of the positive impact of the volunteer workforce.

Skills:

Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to engage diverse audiences. Strong interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders. Organisational skills to manage caseloads, documentation, and reporting requirements efficiently. IT proficiency, including experience with relevant software for recording and reporting purposes.

Personal Attributes:

Compassionate and empathetic approach to supporting the mental health needs of children, young people, and families. Ability to work autonomously and make sound decisions within established guidelines. Flexible and adaptable, capable of responding to changing priorities and demands effectively. Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, promoting a culture of respect and understanding.

Desirable Criteria:

Experience working within the CAMHS or similar mental health services. Experience of supporting a team of volunteers, offering support, guidance and supervision, and maintaining up to date volunteer records.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.