SPA (Single Point of Access) Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

The SPA Practitoner will play a pivotal role in delivering responsive, person-centred care to children, young people and families across Swindon. Working within a Single Point of Access model, this role will provide meaningful telephone consultations to all appropriate referrals, ensuring each contact receives timely, relevant guidance or signposting to local mental health and wellbeing services.

This role replaces the previous signposting-only approach and requires individuals who can assess presenting needs, hold supportive conversations, and direct children, young people and families to the most appropriate services across the local landscape. Working closely with other professionals in education, health and community services, the SPA Navigator will ensure a smooth and informed journey for families navigating emotional wellbeing support.

Additionally, this role will undertake targeted outreach to engage under-served communities, especially those identified within the local CORE20PLUS5 population. The aim is to increase awareness of and referrals into the SPA, supporting early access to mental health services and reducing the escalation of need.

Main Duties and responsibilities:

Work closely with families as appropriate to offer guidance, education, and support in managing their child's mental health challenges.

Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, ensuring all interventions and plans are thoroughly documented.

Provide resources to parents and caregivers to help them understand and address their

childs mental health needs effectively.

Collaborate with schools, healthcare providers, social services, and other community organisations to coordinate care and ensure a holistic approach to each child's well-being.

Advocate for the mental health needs of children and adolescents within the community, promoting awareness and reducing stigma.

Carry out community outreach and engagement activities, targeting under-served groups (including local CORE20PLUS5 cohorts), to raise awareness of the SPA offer and reduce barriers to access.

Develop and maintain partnerships with community and faith groups, youth organisations, and local networks to encourage early help referrals and strengthen preventative approaches.

Monitor and contribute to improving local access metrics for children and young people, particularly those from marginalised or vulnerable backgrounds.

Respond to identified safeguarding concerns, providing immediate support and intervention to children and families in need.

Stay current with developments in child and adolescent mental health, attending training sessions, workshops, and conferences as needed.

Participate in regular supervision and peer support meetings to ensure e best practices and continuous professional growth.

Engage with local communities to raise awareness about mental health issues and available support services for children and young people.

Provide on call support inc Evening & Weekends as part of a rota.

Any other duties appropriate to role to support the development of the service offer and quality of care received by CYP.

This job profile is intended as a general guide to the responsibilities attached to the post and may be altered from time to time, following consultation with the post holder to reflect changing needs of the service &/or ABLs priorities.

Skills & Competencies required:

Experience in delivering phone-based assessments or support within a health, education or social care context.

Knowledge of emotional wellbeing needs in children and young people.

Strong understanding of the local support landscape or willingness to rapidly develop this knowledge.

Ability to listen actively and communicate effectively, showing empathy and cultural sensitivity.

Ability to assess levels of need, manage risk, and provide appropriate signposting or escalation.

Strong documentation and record-keeping skills, ensuring accurate, evidence-based case notes.

Proficiency with digital systems, including client management systems and Microsoft Office.

Cultural competency and sensitivity to the diverse needs of the community.

Confidence to work independently while contributing to a wider multi-disciplinary team.

Interviews for this role are scheduled to take place onWednesday, 15th October.

Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of development in MH CYP, family development and of transitions.
• Experience of working in an enhanced need MH multi- disciplinary team environment and with external professionals such as emergency services.
• Ability to work independently to assess and manage risks
• Ability to recognise and respond to concerns about child protection and safeguarding.

Desirable

• Experience in quality improvement measures.

Qualifications

Essential

• Mental Health or equivalent professional health qualification e.g. Allied Health Professional, RMN Nurse, Social Worker - Minimum of 18 months post qualification experience.
• Up to date knowledge of CYP emotional wellbeing / early mental health clinical evidence-based practice and support for parents/carers.

Desirable

• Relevant qualification NVQ / Uni Qualification.
• Mentorship qualification or equivalent.
• Evidence of post registration training.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

ABL Health Ltd

Address

Be U Swindon, 6 Darby Close, Nexus Business Centre, Cheney Manor

Swindon

SN2 2PN

Employer's website

https://www.ablhealth.co.uk/work-for-us/join-our-team/ (Opens in a new tab)