Head Of Services

About Ditch the Label and Our Work

We are Ditch the Label, the global youth charity. For over 10 years, we’ve been on a mission to help young people overcome the issues that affect them the most. Whether that’s bullying, mental health, relationships, identity or the tough stuff in-between, we’re here. We provide digital safe spaces, direct support, education programmes, public campaigns and world-class research; we reach millions of young people each year through our website, online community and social media channels.

Each week, 1 in 4 young people use the internet to find advice and support. Young people are increasingly hesitant to pick up the phone to speak to a stranger and are more inclined to post about their experiences online. As our Clinical Head of Support, you will be responsible for overseeing all of our support provision programmes on digital platforms, face-to-face and over the telephone from those who access our support.

Ditch the Label is a leader in online youth support, providing digital safe spaces, direct support, education programmes, public campaigns and research. We have been supporting young people on digital platforms for over a decade, focusing on existing and emerging needs and providing tailored support to help navigate the challenges they face. Our mentors provide this support in the digital hangouts they use; through our dedicated support forum, via email, direct message on social media and facilitated peer-support.

We are social innovators at the cutting edge of digital engagement with an unrivalled understanding of youth and the current and emerging issues. We have the expertise and global reach to support young people in ways that feel natural to them and young people tell us all the time just how vital and life changing our support has been for them.

An in-house Clinical Head of Support will allow us to increase capacity and resources to ensure better outcomes for the young people using our services, especially those who do not have access to costly private services or are facing long waiting times from statutory services.

This role will also be vital in helping us to identify gaps in resources and assist in the creation of rich resources with our content team and will assist with intervention success and impact reporting.

At Ditch the Label, we are always ready to take on the next challenge. If you would like to work as part of a passionate and hardworking team, then we want to hear from you.

We encourage you to visit our support community here: https://forums.ditchthelabel.org - for more information about Ditch the Label and our work, please visit us at www.DitchtheLabel.org/about/.

About Our Culture

One of the things we are proudest of here at Ditch the Label, is the welcoming culture of friendliness and team work that we have created. We take our work seriously, but not ourselves and believe that people work at their best when they are at their happiest and in an environment that is chilled and relaxed. Walk into our office and you’ll experience a light and airy buzz, with vibrant music, tons of breakout spaces, unlimited snacks and pretty much every combination of coffee you could ever imagine. We are proud to have a culture that permeates the values of Ditch the Label; we’re judgement free and here to support everyone in being their best possible selves.

Job Description

If you care about the issues facing young people and share our ambition and passion to drive change, our in-house Clinical Head of Services role is the perfect fit for you.

The role provides individual 1:1 sessions to support young people through mental health issues (such as depression, anxiety and isolation) in addition to oversight of all support provision on digital platforms, face-to-face and over the telephone, internal supervision of support mentors and to be on hand to assist where needed.

The role further helps to identify gaps in resources relating to youth issues and assisting in the creation of rich resources with our content team and intervention success and impact reporting.

You will be based in our Brighton office with hybrid/remote/flexible working.

Personal Attributes

We are looking for an individual who is able to develop and build on our existing support provision and take it to the next level. We seek to hire a full-time Clinical Head of Support in order to address demand and deal directly with complex cases by providing individual, dedicated one-to-one sessions.

The successful applicant must be passionate about the work of Ditch the Label and be comfortable with appearing on camera. Additionally, able to confidently articulate our values in order to build support and influence with external stakeholders – such as policy makers, corporate decision makers and major donors.

Key Responsibilities:

• To ensure that the young people accessing our support provision are safe and if not, are connected with the appropriate safeguarding tools and protocol immediately
• Delivering direct advice and support to young people, covering a range of issues surrounding bullying, mental health, identity, self-esteem, relationships, coming out or any other issue within the realms of youth on our dedicated support platform
• Provide individual 1:1 sessions to support young people through issues such as depression, anxiety and isolation. This will be face-to-face over Zoom (or similar) where in-person support is unavailable through geography or social distancing
• To supervise and support digital mentors within their role and helping to oversee recruitment, training and development
• To head up all safeguarding across Ditch the Label as the Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring our policies and practices are up to date and go above and beyond best practice
• To be a public spokesperson and represent Ditch the Label and our interests at various events and consultations within the sector and across policy makers, such as round tables, select committees and enquiries
• To create and regularly review online support guides and resources hosted on our website
• Provide a support element to bundle with various Ditch the Label activities, for example: during a live stream or in a video package
• Be open to speaking to a group of people and/or delivering group interventions in new environments
• Delivering, moderating and supervising cross platform support
• To regularly capture and report on pre- and post- intervention data and to capture service user testimonials as required
• Work with the wider team to maximise exposure and efficiency of our support resources
• Contribute towards wider ideation sessions at Ditch the Label; providing the necessary support and safeguarding perspective to our campaigns, research and other areas of our work
• Ultimately to be an ambassador for Ditch the Label and our ethos

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL

• 6-years of study (degree and postgraduate levels), within the clinical fields of psychology, psychotherapy or counselling
• Be registered with a credible and recognised body with a code of ethics, such as (but not limited to) The British Psychological Society or UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy)
• A minimum of 600 hours of clinical training
• Training qualifications in, and previous experience with managing safeguarding issues. This must include the thresholds and routes of reporting
• A solid understanding of youth issues, including knowledge of how young people use social media platforms
• Able to lead and develop team members within support roles
• Able to remain calm, work well and prioritise effectively within high pressure situations
• Non-judgmental and empowering; willing to listen the problems of young people and to provide innovative support
• Excellent communication skills both verbally and written
• A genuine passion for finding solutions to youth issues

DESIRABLE

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in providing direct advice and support to vulnerable young people aged 12-25

Particulars and Benefits

• Place of work: Brighton, UK (with remote/hybrid/flexible working).
• Working week: Full-time Monday to Friday 9am - 4.30pm. (With some out of hours time managing safeguarding issues)
• Additionally, a part time role will be considered
• Salary: £45k - £55k PA depending upon experience.
• 28 days of fully paid annual leave (including bank holidays) plus your birthday off!
• R&R days
• Team socials
• Free snacks and drinks
• Occasional gifting from partners
• Company pension scheme

Please complete the application form below when submitting your CV.

Application Form

Please submit your application form, CV and cover letter setting out what you would bring to this role and your passions within mental health and youth issues.

We are unable to accept incomplete application forms. Please feel free to use additional space to complete your application.

About You

1. Name:

2. Phone number:

3. Email address:

4. Postal code:

5. Have you received any criminal convictions? Yes/No

As a charity working with young people aged 12-25, an enhanced DBS check is compulsory for all staff, trustees and volunteers at Ditch the Label.

6. Do you need a work permit to work in the UK? Yes/No

7. Please list the skills and experience that you will bring to this role

8. Do you speak any languages other than English - if so, which?

9. Why are you interested in joining the Ditch the Label team?

10. What one thing would you change about Ditch the Label, and why?

11. How must it feel to be a young person today?

Your Experience

1. Current employment: Unemployed / part-time / full-time / self-employed

2. Notice period if applicable:

-ENDS-

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Salary: £45,000.00-£55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted or free food
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Brighton, BN1 3FH

Application deadline: 31/03/2024