Community Wellbeing Worker – Hospital Buddies
- Posted by Bradford District and Craven Mind on 19th August 2026
- £14.46 per hour
- Full time
- Bradford Royal Infirmary, Smith Lane, Bradford
Role Background
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Children and Young People’s (CYP) portfolio, playing a pivotal role in delivering and growing our highly innovative CYP services. This dynamic opportunity involves providing comprehensive, on-the-day, one-to-one, child-led support to CYP aged 5-19 (or up to 25 with additional needs) who are navigating challenges in their physical, social, emotional, and mental wellbeing whilst being an inpatient at our two acute sites, Bradford Royal Infirmary and Airedale General Hospital. However, this post is specifically for a 12-hour post at our Airedale General Hospital Site, delivered through 3 x 4 hour shifts on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday only.
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
Essential:
- Qualification in youth work, community work, mental health, social care, or equivalent experience supporting children and young people.
Desirable:
- Evidence of ongoing professional development in a relevant field.
- Qualifications or experience in supporting CYP with presenting mental health or additional needs.
Experience
Essential:
- Practical experience of working with children and young people in a health, social care or any other relevant setting.
- Experience of supporting people in a clear, meaningful and non-judgemental way either via telephone or in person.
- Experienced and confident in managing challenging situations and recognising and responding to safeguarding concerns.
Desirable:
- Lived experience of mental health challenges (personal or professional).
- Experience using outcome measures and case management systems.
Skills and Abilities
Essential:
- Excellent proven written, verbal and non-verbal communication and organisational skills, including an ability to encourage and engage people in ways to make positive changes in their lives.
- Excellent IT skills, including use of Microsoft packages
- Ability to work as part of a team and work alone and use own initiative
- Ability to gather relevant information to support and assess risks
- Willingness and ability to travel across the Bradford district including Keighley Central
Desirable:
- UK Driving license and access to a vehicle.
Knowledge
Essential:
- Knowledge of other relevant health & social care organisations across the Bradford District & Craven
- Knowledge of risk management and health and safety issues
- Understanding of safeguarding and good practice
- Understanding of confidentiality and data protection
- Understanding of the key issues within mental health, and the potential challenges that people may face
Attitude and Personal Attributes
Essential:
- Inclusive and welcoming approach
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic approach, with a can-do attitude and commitment to providing person-centred services
- Passionate and dedicated approach
- Understanding of and commitment to the Mind in Bradford values
Role Description
Role Purpose
Hospital Buddies Community Wellbeing Workers are at the heart of our CYP internal services who … Wellbeing Workers on the wards support children and young people with issues ranging from anxiety around an operation, coming to terms with a chronic health diagnosis, to mental health admissions and crisis. This service is delivered in partnership with the hospital ward staff and other services to ensure children and young people get the best wrap around care whilst in hospital.
Most of the work will be undertaken on the Paediatrics ward across both hospitals, although there will be opportunity to visit children and young people in A&E, as appropriate. The content of the sessions will focus on de-escalation, wellbeing, coping strategies & resilience, short term goals and signposted provision following discharge. By offering person‑centred conversations, wellbeing activities, and clear pathways to further help when needed, the Community Wellbeing Worker plays a vital part in creating a safe, inclusive environment where young people feel heard, valued, and supported in shaping their own wellbeing journey through a goals-based intervention.
Role Outcomes
- To develop and deliver outcomes-focussed and evidence-based 1-1 interventions to CYP aged 5-19. Interventions will be delivered face to face and will be aimed at improving CYP mental wellbeing. You will be required to travel to the hospital and work in partnership with the ward staff.
- To develop session plans for structured programmes using a goal-based, child-led approach, as well as to find, create, and use appropriate tools and resources to support CYP services.
- To motivate, lead and encourage service member participation by providing a welcoming, safe, non-judgemental and flexible environment for CYP to discuss their wellbeing or concerns.
- To work in partnership with CYP, parents, carers, families and delivery partners in development of plans and agreed outcomes, and support and empower all to make informed choices about interventions offered.
- To promote equity, diversity and inclusion in service development and delivery.
- To input and maintain timely records such as up-to-date electronic service member records (including monitoring outcomes and gathering feedback); case studies for discussion, personal development and service improvement.
- To independently undertake and record risk assessments and follow safeguarding procedures, responding promptly to all concerns, with support from Service Coordinators and Manager.
- To actively support and promote all aspects of the service and enhance the public image of Bradford District and Craven Mind, including supporting promotional events and community fundraising.
- To work effectively with, and to support other co-workers on shift and attend and contribute to regular team meetings.
- To participate in constructive supervision and internal/external staff development including team meetings, appraisals and mandatory training related to the role.
- To work in alignment with the aims, objectives and core values of Bradford District and Craven Mind.
- To understand and share responsibility with colleagues to ensure compliance with Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Information Gathering, and Equality & Diversity standards, along with adherence to all other Company policies.
- To undertake any other reasonable duties or tasks deemed necessary by the Leadership Team.
How to Apply
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.
- We’re 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.
Job Details
- Hours: 12 hours per week
- Closing Date: 02/09/2026
- Payment Schedule: Monthly
- Job Salary: £14.46 per hour
- Contact Name: BDCMind
- Contact Email: people@mindinbradford.org.uk
- Interview Date: 07/08/2026
About Bradford District and Craven Mind
Our vision is that no one in Bradford District and Craven has to face a mental health issue alone.
- Kenburgh House, 28 Manor Row, Bradford, BD1 4QU / Airedale General Hospital Site
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