Mental Health Practitoner

The Co Operative Academies Trust, Manchester, M60 0AG

22 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 January 2027

• Closing date

  23 October 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  1 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Pastoral, health and welfare
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Fixed term
• Full time equivalent salary: NJC scale column points 32 to 36 £44,253 - £48,738 FTE (£38,063 to £41,921 actual pro rata)

Mental Health Practitoner job summary

Are you a passionate and skilled Mental Health Practitioner dedicated to making a profound difference in the lives of vulnerable young people?

We are seeking an exceptional individual to become our in-house Mental Health Practitioner across schools in the Stoke and Staffordshire area. This is an exciting opportunity to support students in Primary, Secondary and Special school settings, both delivering interventions and upskilling staff.

Our ambition is for the In-House Mental Health Practitioner to shape the strategic direction of our mental health provision, in partnership with the central Social Inclusion Director team. This vital role will provide therapeutic support to high-need students on a 1:1 basis, as well as group sessions for early intervention and to smooth transitions between Primary and Secondary phases.

What Makes This Opportunity Unique?

Sector-Leading Initiative

You will be at the forefront of a groundbreaking, sector-leading mental health initiative (and potentially also research) within Co-op Academies Trust. This isn't just a role; it's a chance to shape best practice nationally.

Networking: You will join a supportive network of Mental Health Practitioners working in Co-op Academies Trust across the North of England, providing unparalleled opportunities for collaborative practice, shared learning, and professional development.

Supporting Staff to have Impact

We understand the emotional labour involved in supporting vulnerable and at-risk students. A key part of your role will be to upskill teaching and pastoral staff to maximise their capacity to help our young people.

Coaching: We are looking for a practitioner who utilises a solution-focused approach to staff coaching, helping colleagues find practical, sustainable ways to manage challenges and build resilience.

Facilitation: Convene discussions with staff around mental health first and and/or self care to address potential burnout that leads to staff turnover. 

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are looking for individuals with the following essential qualities and experience:

A recognised professional qualification and registration (e.g., CBT Therapist, Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Mental Health Nurse).

Experience in working effectively with adolescents, particularly those who are marginalised or facing complex social and emotional challenges.

A compassionate, trauma-informed approach to practice.

Strong group facilitation skills and experience in staff support/debriefing.

A proactive, solution-focused mindset in both therapeutic and consultative work.

If you have the passion, expertise, and drive to shape mental health provision and contribute to a sector-defining initiative across our Stoke and Staffordshire academies, we want to hear from you.

How to Apply

To apply, please follow our online application process, ensuring your supporting statement demonstrates how your experience aligns with the job description and person specification, specifically highlighting your work with vulnerable young people, trauma-informed practice, and staff upskilling.

Closing Date: 9am on Friday 23rd October. Interviews are scheduled to take place onsite on Friday 6th November

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Co-op Academies Trust as an aware employer is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults as its number one priority. This commitment to robust recruitment, selection and induction procedures extends to organisations and services linked to the Trust on its behalf. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. We value variety and individual differences, and aim to create a culture, environment and practices at all levels which encompass acceptance, respect and inclusion. All our colleagues are expected to demonstrate a commitment to co-operative values and principles.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About The Co Operative Academies Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-co-operative-academies-trust

Why us?
Co-op Academies Trust is a place where you are part of something bigger, through a leading education and opportunities to serve our community, we are working together to make a better world.

From ages 3-19 Co-op Academies Trust supports students in Primary, Secondary and Special schools across the North of England, giving children the skills and experiences they need to succeed, no matter where they come from.

What makes our Trust unique is that we are sponsored by the Co-op Group. That close relationship means that we benefit from all the business expertise that has seen the Co-op grow to one of the most respected, successful businesses in the country.

Everyone in the Trust honours our fundamental commitment to the Ways of Being Co-op. They are our DNA; they represent our culture and reflect the rationale behind our decision-making. No matter what we do, they are how we do it.

Our ways of being are:

Be Yourself, Always
Show You Care
Do What Matters Most
Succeed Together
In 2025, we have 38 academies as part of the Co-op family, across 4 regions.

Our Values
Being part of the Co-operative Group, we are both guided and driven by the Co-op values which are embedded in everything that we do within our Academy - We strive to demonstrate the following ethical values in everything we do - they are our ‘Ways of Being’:

Succeed together

Do what matters most

Be yourself, always

Show you care

So, if you believe in our values, we would love to hear from you!

We offer a wide range of benefits and rewards to recognise the part you play in our success:
Benefits include:

You’ll get being a Co-op member, you’ll get a Co-op colleague discount card. This gives you a 10% discount in our Co-op Food stores.
Co-operative flexible benefits (discounted line rental and broadband package, family care advice and cycle to work scheme)
Discounted gym membership and leisure activities which includes discounts on Merlin Entertainments (Sea Life, Legoland etc), Virgin Experience Days, SuperBreak and many more
Co-operative Credit Union: save directly from your salary and receive a competitive dividend. Borrowers can benefit from very competitive interest rates & terms (in comparison with other high street lenders)
Co-op Funeralcare benefit
Season ticket and rental deposit loans
And More!

For more information about the Co-op Academies Trust, please visit: www.coopacademies.co.uk

The Trust is also committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage or civil partnerships.

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