Children and Families Pathways Worker

Job Description

• Salary scale:14.46 per hour
• Contract:Permanent
• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Base: Kenburgh House 28 Manor Row Bradford BD1 4QU
  
• Probationary Period:Six months
• Closing Date: Thursday26th August 10am 2026
• Interview Date:1^st and 2^nd September 2026
• Questions:In the first instance any enquiries to be emailed to emailprotected. For an informal chat about the role before applying please contact Service Manager Helen Dartford at emailprotected.

AboutUs

Bradford District and Craven Mind is a thriving independent mental health charity with a clear purpose to promote positive mental wellbeing and empower and help people experiencing issues with their mental health to manage and work towards recovery and fulfilment.

We do this through:

• Building community and individual resilience for better mental wellbeing

• Providing early intervention advice and support

• Supporting people in crisis

• Empowering and helping people to recover and sustain improved wellbeing

Watch this video to find out whatitslike to work here:

our latest Impact Report and 2024-28 Strategy:

out more about our approach to EquityDiversityand Inclusion:

us and youll receive:

• 25 days annual leave per year rising to 28 days with length of service plus bank holidays

• Up to two additional leave days to use each year to support your wellbeing.

• Simply Health Cash Plan to claim back on personal health costs including dental optical prescriptions physiotherapy and more.

• Employee Assistance Service including 24/7 confidential mental health support and access to structured therapy sessions.

• Generous pension scheme and employer contribution to help you plan for a secure future.

• Discount schemes including Company Shop and Blue Light Card.

• Excellent personal development opportunities including access to Clinical Supervision.

• Enhanced sick pay after your six-month probation.

• Accredited employer with Mindful Employer Disability Confident and Real Living Wage.
  
• Generous death in service/life assurance benefit

Role Background

Were excited to be recruiting a Children and Families (CYPF) Pathways Worker to join our growing CYPF services and play a key role in launching and delivering Youth in Mind Open Door. This role sits within Youth in Mind (YiM)a vibrant partnership of organisations passionate about supporting the mental health and wellbeing of CYPF across Bradford District and Craven. Led by BDC Mind YiM brings together Barnardos Bradford Youth Service Brathay Trust Inspired Neighbourhoods Invictus Wellbeing and SELFA. Together we offer engaging evidence-based support through one-to-one sessions group work counselling and creative interventions in schools community spaces and homes.

YiM Open Door is an exciting new single point of access designed to make getting help simpler faster and more compassionate. It will provide a warm non-judgmental space where every referral is welcomed assessed and matched to the right service based on need waiting times and choice. Open Door will also manage a centralised waiting list ensuring CYPF are supported while they wait through proactive waiting well interventions. This is all about clarity connection and carehelping CYPF feel heard and supported from the very start.

Role Purpose

As a Pathways Worker youll be at the heart of this change. Reporting to the YiM Service Manager and supported by a Service Coordinator youll start by tackling existing waiting listsproviding timely support reopening referral pathways and making sure families feel supported while they wait.

As YiM Open Door launches youll help bring it to lifedriving mobilisation core delivery and ongoing development. Youll receive referrals carry out assessments of need and risk and connect CYPF to the most suitable support whether thats within YiM or through wider system partners. Youll strengthen referral systems and improve the experience for CYPF through clear processes and proactive engagement. Youll work closely with partners across the THRIVE framework to make navigation smoother and access fairer. This is a hands-on role where youll combine direct support for CYPF with collaborative work alongside multi-agency partnersembedding a clear compassionate approach to early intervention that really makes a difference.

Role Outcomes

As a children and families pathway worker you will:

• Receive and triage referrals carry out assessment of needs and risk and connect CYPF to the most suitable supportwithin YiM or through wider system partners.
• Manage risk and safeguarding. Identify risk early and act promptly on safeguarding concerns following policy and ensuring CYPF voice safety and wellbeing.
• Communicate effectively so CYPF and partners receive clear timely information about next steps reducing uncertainty and improving engagement.
• Systematically review and reduce waiting listsleading to reopened pathways and improved flow.
• Deliver waiting well support to CYPF waiting for services ensuring proactive check-ins resources and reassurance to maintain wellbeing until their support starts.
• Strengthen referral systems implementing processes that are consistent streamlined and transparent reducing duplication and improving navigation across the THRIVE framework.
• Work closely with partners to ensure seamless interfaces between YiM Open Door and other key front doors in the system including CAMHS MHSTs the Integrated Front Door and School Nursing to enable smooth transitions and joined-up decision-making.
• Analyse and share insights capturing referral trends and waiting list data to inform service planning and prevent future backlogs.
• Collaborate across the system building strong relationships with YiM and multi-agency partners enabling joined-up decision-making and better use of capacity.
• Drive continuous improvement using feedback from CYPF and partners to refine processes and shape the ongoing development of YiM Open Door.
• Maintain accurate records and data ensuring timely updates to case management systems and compliance with information governance standards.
• Contribute to service development participating in team meetings training and co-production activities to embed best practice and CYPF voice.
• Champion equity diversity inclusion and accessibility in all aspects of engagement and service delivery.
• Uphold the values and objectives of YiM and BDC Mind as lead provider ensuring your work reflects our commitment to caring collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant policies and procedures including Health and Safety Safeguarding Information Governance and Equity Diversity & Inclusion.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required.

Person Specification

BDC Mind is committed to promoting mental health awareness reducing stigma and improving the quality of life for people with mental health challenges. We value diversity inclusion and lived experiences when recruiting our staff and volunteers.

Qualifications & Knowledge

Essential

• Qualification in youth work community work mental health social care or equivalent experience.
• Understanding of confidentiality information governance and data protection.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and risk management.
• Familiarity with local services referral pathways and early intervention approaches in mental health.
• Understanding of the THRIVE framework and system navigation principles.

Desirable

• Evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Awareness of key mental health challenges for CYP in Bradford District and Craven particularly for diverse communities.

Experience

Essential

• Experience working with children young people and families in mental health wellbeing or youth/community settings.
• Experience conducting triage initial assessment and risk assessments.
• Experience managing risk and responding to safeguarding concerns.
• Experience of collaborative multi-agency working and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience maintaining accurate records and using data to inform decisions.

Desirable

• Lived experience of mental health challenges (personal or professional).
• Experience using outcome measures and case management systems.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office and online referral/case management systems.
• Ability to analyse data and use insights for service improvement.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and remain calm and solution-focused in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to travel across Bradford District & Craven.

Desirable

• UK Driving license and access to a vehicle.

Personal attributes

Essential

• Inclusive welcoming and positive approach with a can-do attitude.
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic with a commitment to providing effective person-centred support.
• Commitment to equity diversity and inclusivity.
• Willingness to work flexibly and adapt to changing needs.
• Proactive in seeking feedback and driving continuous improvement.

How to Apply

Please click the Apply for this job button and follow the steps to fill out the application form.

Upload your CV and a cover letter showing how your experience and skills match the Job Description and Person Specification under.

Were unable to provide feedback to applicants who are not shortlisted.

We are committed to safeguarding vulnerable children and adults. All successful candidates will need to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and a right to work in the UK check.