Mental Health Officer - Wigan Athletic Community Trust

Organisation: Wigan Athletic FC
Salary: TBC
Location: Robin Park Leisure Centre, Loire Drive, Newtown, Wigan, WN5 0UL
Contract type: Fixed Term (Full time)
Closing date: 16 March 2026
Job Description: Job purpose:
At Wigan Athletic Community Trust, we are working as a collective across Greater Manchester, supporting Year 6 children through their transition from primary to secondary school over the period of a year.
As a Mental Health Officer, you will work within selected schools and will help revolutionise the way we think, talk and act about mental health, providing an early intervention and prevention service for children. The aim is to increase resilience and give pupils the necessary tools to thrive. The role will work with the school to identify those requiring one-to-one support, predominantly pupils who are currently accessing Mental Health support services or are at higher risk of needing them.
Using a flexible approach, they will provide interventions at the earliest opportunity; providing education on coping strategies and self-management with the end goal to reduce the number of individuals and therefore the demand on local CAMHS services which currently have large waiting lists.

Key tasks and responsibilities:
• Assess and support students in assigned schools who are experiencing common mental health difficulties such as mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety and low mood.
• Work collaboratively with student support services/pastoral teams within the schools.
• Make accurate assessments of the risk students pose to themselves and others using NICE Guidance.
• Offer a range of low-intensity, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-based interventions that will help students to manage their own recovery.
• Manage referrals and signposting to other agencies.
• Devise a shared treatment plan with students that will be delivered via a range of methods including group and one-to-one support.
• Attend multidisciplinary meetings about referrals or students receiving or requesting treatment.
• Develop strong professional relationships with schools and primary and secondary care staff, such as general practice staff and mental health workers.
• Liaise with external agencies including police, local authority, employers, and employment support workers.
• Provide and receive information related to mental health and CBT to individuals or groups of students, relatives, carers, members of the public and professionals.
• Deliver whole year workshops to increase awareness of mental health triggers and conditions.
• Educate and involve family members and others in your student’s treatment as necessary.
• Record all project delivery data and outcomes using the Salesforce monitoring and evaluation system.
• Provide feedback to project evaluation partners as and when required.
• Guarantee student confidentiality is protected at all times in accordance with school policies and procedures.
• 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 out by the department of health (e.g. NHS plan, National Service Framework, National Institute for Clinical Excellence, BACP).
• Attend relevant conferences/workshops in line with identified professional objectives.
• Promote the Wigan Athletic Community Trust brand and values in a professional, strong and positive manner.
• Work alongside other team members to support in other areas of the organisation as and when required to promote best practice.
• A commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace and a willingness to undertake all relevant equality and diversity training.
• Be a flexible member of the team including evening and weekend work where appropriate.
How to apply: https://wiganathletic.com/news/2026/march/11/vacancy---mental-health-officer--community-/