Intensive Mentors - Therapeutic Support Service, Dartford/Sevenoaks

Background and Job purpose

Salus have been commissioned by Kent County Council to deliver a Therapeutic Support Service (TSS) to support children and young people (CYP) aged 4-19 years who have mild to moderate emotional well-being needs.

Children and young people accessing the Service will be those who are ‘getting advice and signposting’ and ‘getting help’, in line with the definitions of the i-THRIVE model. More information can be found here https://kentresiliencehub.org.uk/i-thrive/

Our aim is to develop and deliver an accessible, needs-led, co-produced, dynamic, proactive and outcome focused service that offers flexibility and choice to children and families in need of support. This will be achieved through a combination of 1-1, group-based, self-help and family based interventions.

This role will support children and young people experiencing anxiety, behavioural challenges, transition hurdles, relationship struggles, and low self-esteem or resilience — by fostering a supportive, structured relationship between a trusted adult and a child or young person.

Location: Role available to cover Dartford/Sevenoaks

Contact

For more information, please contact Sally Williamson on 07725 595722 or Peter Heckel on 07725 595719.

Job Description/Principal Accountabilities

Principal Accountabilities

Assess and deliver, under supervision, outcome focused, evidence-based mentoring to CYP (and parents of those) experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
Develop a good working relationship with schools, children, families, schools and other agencies to ensure that the Salus service is effective.
Work in partnership with children, young people, and families in the development of plans for the intervention and agreed outcomes.
Support and empower children, young people, and families to make informed choices about the support they need.
Utilise the FRIENDS programme (or alternatives) as appropriate
Always operate from an inclusive values base, which recognises and respects diversity.
Accept referrals within the locally agreed protocols.
Undertake accurate assessment of risk to self and others.
Through close case management and supervision, escalate cases where the level of need becomes beyond scope or more severe, ensuring adherence to other relevant elements of service delivery

PROFESSIONAL

Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating bodies and keep up to date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the relevant departments.
Ensure that confidentiality is always protected.
Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed, and reviewed with supervisor and senior colleagues on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.
Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.
Keep all records up to date in relation to Continuous Professional Development and ensure personal development plans maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.
Attend relevant conferences/workshops in line with identified professional objectives.

GENERAL

Support the collection of data and facilitate data flow.
Contribute to the development of best practice within the service.
Ensure a comprehensive understanding of the relevant safeguarding legislation, guidance, and best practice.
Maintain up-to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies, and procedures in relation to children and young people’s mental health.
All employees have a responsibility and a legal obligation to ensure that information processed is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with the Data Protection Act (1998) and Security and Confidentiality Policies.
It is the responsibility of all staff that they do not abuse their official position for personal gain, to seek advantage of further private business or other interests in the course of their official duties.

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.

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

Types: 37 hours( Full-time)
Pay: £30,000 per year

Benefits:

Cycle to work scheme
Company pension
Sick pay

Schedule:

Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Person Specification

The person specification is a picture of skills, knowledge and experience required to carry out the job. It has been used to draw up the advert and will also be used in the short-listing and interview process for this post.

You should demonstrate on your application form how you meet the following essential criteria

	ESSENTIAL	DESIRABLE
QUALIFICATIONS	Professional qualification (or academic equivalent) in related area e.g. Youth work, teaching, counselling (or equivalent), social work etc	Relevant qualification or evidence of training in any of the following: • Domestic Abuse • Healthy Relationships • Solution Focused Practice • Mentoring • Domestic Abuse
EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES	Experience of supporting children and young who have experienced trauma Experience of supporting parents to ensure the best outcomes for children and young people Experience of working effectively with schools and other agencies A good understanding of agencies and support available for 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 Skilled in ensuring the voice of the child is central to the service	Experience of supporting children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse
KNOWLEDGE	Knowledge of the impact of trauma on children and young people Knowledge of emotional well-being and mental health for children and young people Knowledge of approaches to build resilience An understanding of Safeguarding and Data Protection legislation	Knowledge of strengths based approaches
ATTRIBUTES	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 a number of tasks at once and to be flexible with work routines An ability to actively engage children, young people and families 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: 9am on 24th October 2025
Interview date: 6th November 2025

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

Job vacancy