Emotional Health Worker

15 hours per week / £26,765 per annum pro rata / fixed term until 31 March 2027 / working two days a week;
Tuesday 10am-6pm and Friday 10am-6pm

Final date to receive applications: 8 February 2026

At YMCA Downs Link Group, our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, building life skills and self-confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Our Values
-we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections- guide and shape how we show up for children and young people we support and for each other.

We are recruiting for an Emotional Mental Health Worker to support young people aged 11-25 living in Crawley and surrounding areas.

Mind The Gap Emotional Health Support offers young people an alternative way of accessing mental health support. The service provides non-clinical, youth-work based support to young people who are struggling to find or engage with the right services. Working primarily from Crawley Youth Advice Centre, you will deliver face-to-face sessions using evidence‑based interventions to engage, educate and empower young people around issues affecting their emotional wellbeing.

• Offer seven sessions of support to each young person, including initial needs assessment and weekly sessions
• Lead on facilitation of emotional well‑being and psycho‑educational groups
• Support young people transitioning from specialist CAMHS/AMHS services
• Work systemically with parents/carers, educators, and health professionals
• Develop links with agencies and make appropriate referrals
• Promote service user participation and voice
• Comply with safeguarding, health & safety, data protection and EDI policies

• Knowledge of issues facing young people, especially those socially excluded
• Experience in safeguarding children and young people
• Ability to support appropriate mental health pathways
• Training in emotional wellbeing interventions or qualification in youth work
• Understanding of short‑term support models

Please note that we are unable to offer a work permit or visa sponsorship for this role; applicants must already have the right to live and work the UK independently.

We are committed to policies and our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment.

If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns.

Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third‑party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and}