Wellbeing Practitioner - Cross County

Full time or part time considered

Do you want a role that enables you to make a real difference to the lives of young people? Do you recognise the value of providing mentoring support to vulnerable young people in care?

Do you have the professional experience and skills to work with children in care 1:1 to achieve positive and sustained change?

If your answer is “yes!” to these questions, then we hope you may be interested to hear that we are seeking to appoint a Wellbeing Practitioner to join our schools team. This role offers an exciting opportunity to use evidence-based approaches and programmes of support to achieve maximum impact.

While your background may be in education, counselling, youth work or any other related area, we are particularly looking for a highly motivated, dynamic and talented individual, experienced at working creatively and innovatively with young people age 16 and above

Fixed term contract between February 2026 and August 2026, extension of contract subject to continued funding. Full-time and term-time only options.

Background and Job purpose

Salus are commissioned by schools, settings, and others to deliver a range of interventions to improve the well-being of children & young people residing in the county of Kent.

Your role will entail offering guidance, support, and serving as a positive role model for young individuals, aiding them in overcoming challenges, honing their skills, and realizing their potential.

Mentors provide a reliable and supportive presence, cultivating trust and assisting young people in building self-confidence and resilience. They help with various elements of a young person’s life, such as academic aspirations, career planning, social and emotional growth, and accessing necessary resources. This position will involve delivering structured programs to children and young people linked with the team at Virtual Schools Kent; therefore, prior experience working with children in care would be beneficial.

Contact

For more information please contact Kate Storer on 07725 629881

Job Description/Principal Accountabilities

Build excellent working relationships with VSK (Virtual School Kent) post 16 team and schools/settings participating in the programme to ensure that their needs are understood that the service is responsive to those needs and outcomes are shared
Provide relevant support for referrers to ensure identified young people are supported
Keep clear accurate records and provide the required monitoring and evaluation information and any other progress reports required by due dates
Fulfil safeguarding responsibilities in line with Salus policies and procedures
Participate in team meetings and supervision as agreed with the line manager
To maintain high standards of professional integrity and respect for others
To ensure continuous self-development through training, supervision, and other appropriate means
Any other duties which may reasonably be required by the Salus Management Team

This job description is provided to assist the post holder to know their principal duties. It may be amended from time to time in consultation with you without change to the level of responsibilities appropriate to the grading of the post.

Driving is essential for this role, along with being a car owner.

Person Specification

Experience/ Skill/ Qualification	Essential	Desired
Professional qualification (or academic equivalent) e.g., Teaching, counselling (or equivalent), youth work etc.in related area	✓
Relevant qualification or evidence of training in any of the following: • Solution Focused Practice • Motivational Interviewing Techniques • Mentoring		✓
Experience of delivering structured 1-2-1 support interventions for young people in care Experience of working effectively with schools and other education settings A good understanding of agencies and support available for foster families in Kent Strong organisational ability including ability to plan workload and manage own time effectively A high level of written and verbal presentation skills and ICT skills	✓
Experience of communication and engagement with parents Experience of working with children in care.		✓
Knowledge of issues affecting children in care and how these issues can impact on engagement with the community and the impact on long term life outcomes Knowledge of emotional well-being and mental health for children and young people Knowledge of approaches to improve emotional well-being An understanding of Safeguarding and Data Protection legislation A willingness to undertake any training	✓
• An ability to remain calm whilst working under pressure and within tight timescales on sensitive and confidential issues • To be creative and proactive, able to use initiative and make sound judgements • An ability to deal with several tasks at once and to be flexible with work routines • An ability to actively engage children and young people through a variety of methods • A positive outlook and a result focused approach To work effectively as part of a team	✓

Further information

Closing Date: Friday 6th February 2026
Interview Date: Thursday 12th February 2026

Any appointment will be made subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

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