Mental Health Support Coordinator (CYP) – Herts Haven Cafe

Do you want to support Children and Young People with mental health issues in a moment of crisis? Are you calm, non-judgemental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress? If you can embody our values of Hope, Courage, Togetherness, and Responsiveness, and want to help others build resilience and manage their wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you. Job title: Mental Health Support Coordinator (CYP) Reference Number: 383 Reports to: Senior Lead – CYP Contract: 1 year fixed term (1st December 2026 – 30th November 2027) Hours: 5 hours – to include Wednesdays (3:00pm-7:00pm) + 1 hour flexi to be used for admin, supervision, training. Salary: £28,900 FTE pro rata, £3,757 per annum actual (based on 5 hrs p/wk) Based: Ware Herts Haven Café, SG12 About the Project Hertfordshire Mind is proud to provide early intervention support to children and young people experiencing poor mental health across Hertfordshire. Our Herts Haven Café is a free welcoming drop-in space for children and young people to access support for their emotional wellbeing. The objectives of Hertfordshire Mind’s Herts Haven Café service are:

• To improve the mental wellbeing of children and young people experiencing mental health issues, including crisis presentations, in Hertfordshire.
• To provide drop in, no referral required, timely support to 10-18 year olds.
• To support children and young people in Hertfordshire to access community based mental health help.
• To increase early access to help for people experiencing mental health crisis in Hertfordshire, by providing a clear and effective pathway to services provided across the CYPMH system.

About the Role

The key purpose of this post is to be an integral member of staff delivering the Herts Haven Café service, facilitating drop-in mental health support for children and young people aged 10-18. As a practitioner you will meet the varying needs of the individual, as they present, meaning no day may look the same. A person-centred approach will be maintained, and this role is pivotal to ensuring CYP have a warm and welcoming space to turn to. You will be responsible for operationally overseeing the café during its opening hours. Working alongside 1 other member of staff and Hertfordshire Mind volunteers, you will facilitate support, deliver brief mental health interventions, provide signposting information and ensure timely information, guidance and referrals are provided for ongoing support.

Key Responsibilities

• To play an integral role in instilling Hertfordshire Mind’s values throughout the Herts Haven Cafe Service.
• To play a key part in the development and delivery of quality CYP mental health support services.
• To provide consistent and clear communication to the team, working proactively and with initiative.
• To be part of a cooperative and collaborative team that is flexible and adaptable to changing requirements.
• To deliver 1:1 and group interventions, depending on need, flexibly and creatively.
• To ensure that every individual accessing the service receives, safe and trusted support.
• To create and review risk assessments, wellness plans, crisis support plans, safety plans, as well as signposting resources, as required.
• To proactively recognise indicators of deteriorating mental health and facilitate appropriate action, whilst liaising with relevant agencies e.g., C-CATT, Emergency Duty Teams, CYP MHS, etc.
• To work alongside Crisis Teams in line with joint protocols, where required, to support those individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
• To signpost and refer effectively into other Herts Mind Network services, as well as alternative VCFSE and statutory organisations.
• To act as a positive role model showing professional and caring attitudes and behaviours towards other team members, children and young people, families/carers and professionals. The successful candidate will have a minimum 2 years’ experience working within a health, social care or charity sector supporting children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties, crisis or distress (or have alternative ways of demonstrating the skills, attitude and knowledge brought with this), experience of working in a highly responsive, fast paced environment; with the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations in a calm manner and an understanding of the principles of trauma informed care, and/or a willingness to attend trauma informed care training. We offer:
• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising in increments to a max. of 29 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays)
• An additional day of leave each year for your birthday following completion of probation period.
• Ongoing training relevant to your role.
• An Employee Assistance Programme.
• Eligibility for blue light card.
• Health cover (after 6 months employment) - compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments. Closing date for receipt of applications is: Midnight Monday 26th October 2026 Interviews will take place on: Tuesday 3rd November 2026 N.B. We may close this advert early if we have sufficient applications Please quote reference number 383 when completing your application for this role. Interested? If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position. We want people from all backgrounds to apply, no matter your gender, disability, marital or parental status, race, colour, religion, or sexual orientation. We make sure everyone has a fair chance, especially those with disabilities or special needs. Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters, and the Care Leaver Covenant. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. Our inclusive approach recognises the unique skills, knowledge, and perspectives that lived experience brings to our team. No agencies please