Job summary
Teesside Mind is seeking experienced and committed individuals to join our team as Safe Haven Team Leads. These two roles are central to the delivery of Redcar Safe Haven, a newly established service offering a compassionate community-based alternative to complement NHS crisis support.
Operating during evenings and weekends, the Safe Haven provides a non-clinical, welcoming environment for individuals experiencing mental health crisis or emotional distress. The service is staffed by a multidisciplinary team including mental health practitioners and peer workers.
Main duties of the job
As Team Lead, you will act as the senior practitioner on shift, ensuring the service is delivered safely, effectively, and in line with organisational standards and values. You will also support the Manager in implementing also support the Manager in implementing strategic goals and maintaining service quality during operational hours.
This is a vital leadership role within a pioneering service that places compassion, dignity, and community at the heart of crisis support. As Team Lead, you will ensure that individuals in distress receive high-quality care and that the team operates with professionalism, empathy, and integrity.
About us
Were proud to have directly helped 27,000 local people this last year, more than weve ever supported. Weve been working in local communities to improve mental health and wellbeing for 30 years and during that time our support has evolved, enabling us to help people in new and impactful ways.
We believe everyone has the right to enjoy good mental health and our team of trusted professionals provide expert support to help people lead full and happy lives. Whats more, we campaign locally to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding of what good mental health looks like.
Ours is a vibrant organisation to work for and our staff are our most important asset. We know just how important the benefits of a mentally healthy workplace are. So, it's only natural that our people and our culture are at the heart of all we do. Staff wellbeing is a high priority for us and we take great care and pride in making sure that everyone who works with us feels valued and supported. We're dedicated, friendly and open, working together to improve the lives of local people experiencing mental health problems.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Oversee the day-to-day operation of the Safe Haven during your shift, including opening and closing procedures.
- Coordinate referrals and enquiries, ensuring timely and appropriate responses.
- Provide leadership and supervision to the team on shift, offering guidance, coaching, and support.
- Deliver direct support to individuals in severe distress or crisis using trauma-informed, person-centred approaches.
- Ensure the environment remains safe, calm, and welcoming.
- Maintain accurate and high-quality record keeping and ensure compliance with service protocols.
- Support the recruitment, induction, and ongoing development of staff.
- Monitor team performance, conduct observations, and provide constructive feedback.
- Promote influence and participation of people with lived experience, encouraging feedback and participation in service development.
- Uphold principles of equity and inclusion, ensuring access for marginalised groups and reducing stigma.
- Manage safeguarding concerns and incidents in accordance with organisational policies.
- Support compliance with health & safety, safety planning, and information governance requirements.
- Support the Manager in implementing service strategy and maintaining quality standards.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Oversee the day-to-day operation of the Safe Haven during your shift, including opening and closing procedures.
- Coordinate referrals and enquiries, ensuring timely and appropriate responses.
- Provide leadership and supervision to the team on shift, offering guidance, coaching, and support.
- Deliver direct support to individuals in severe distress or crisis using trauma-informed, person-centred approaches.
- Ensure the environment remains safe, calm, and welcoming.
- Maintain accurate and high-quality record keeping and ensure compliance with service protocols.
- Support the recruitment, induction, and ongoing development of staff.
- Monitor team performance, conduct observations, and provide constructive feedback.
- Promote influence and participation of people with lived experience, encouraging feedback and participation in service development.
- Uphold principles of equity and inclusion, ensuring access for marginalised groups and reducing stigma.
- Manage safeguarding concerns and incidents in accordance with organisational policies.
- Support compliance with health & safety, safety planning, and information governance requirements.
- Support the Manager in implementing service strategy and maintaining quality standards.
Person Specification
Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Strong leadership and team coordination skills, with the ability to guide and support staff and volunteers during shifts
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to respond calmly and effectively in high-pressure situations
- Competence in managing referrals, coordinating support, and maintaining accurate records
- Ability to assess risk, respond to safeguarding concerns, and uphold service standards
- Skilled in providing constructive feedback, conducting observations, and supporting staff development
Experience & Qualifications
Essential
- Graduate level qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant area
- Experience working in mental health, crisis support, or related health and social care settings
- Demonstrable experience of leading or supervising teams in a support or care environment
- Proven experience of safeguarding, safety planning, and health & safety protocols
Desirable
- Health and social care qualification
- Management qualification
- Experience supporting service development or contributing to new service launches
- Lived experience of mental health challenges
- Experience working with marginalised or underrepresented groups
- Experience facilitating lived experience involvement and feedback processes
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of trauma-informed and person-centred approaches to crisis care
- Familiarity with referral pathways and multi-agency working
Other Personal Qualities
Essential
- Demonstrates empathy and a commitment to supporting individuals in distress
- Creates a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all
- Acts with integrity, maintains confidentiality, and leads by
- example
- Upholds high standards of conduct, accountability, and service
- delivery
- Shows resilience, initiative, and a proactive approach to problem-solving and service development
Person Specification
Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Strong leadership and team coordination skills, with the ability to guide and support staff and volunteers during shifts
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to respond calmly and effectively in high-pressure situations
- Competence in managing referrals, coordinating support, and maintaining accurate records
- Ability to assess risk, respond to safeguarding concerns, and uphold service standards
- Skilled in providing constructive feedback, conducting observations, and supporting staff development
Experience & Qualifications
Essential
- Graduate level qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant area
- Experience working in mental health, crisis support, or related health and social care settings
- Demonstrable experience of leading or supervising teams in a support or care environment
- Proven experience of safeguarding, safety planning, and health & safety protocols
Desirable
- Health and social care qualification
- Management qualification
- Experience supporting service development or contributing to new service launches
- Lived experience of mental health challenges
- Experience working with marginalised or underrepresented groups
- Experience facilitating lived experience involvement and feedback processes
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of trauma-informed and person-centred approaches to crisis care
- Familiarity with referral pathways and multi-agency working
Other Personal Qualities
Essential
- Demonstrates empathy and a commitment to supporting individuals in distress
- Creates a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all
- Acts with integrity, maintains confidentiality, and leads by
- example
- Upholds high standards of conduct, accountability, and service
- delivery
- Shows resilience, initiative, and a proactive approach to problem-solving and service development
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
