Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity to join and help shape a new service. West London NHS Trust is recruiting to a new Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Service for Hounslow, Ealing and Hammersmith & Fulham CAMHS. The team will undertake Intensive DBT training together in November 2024, provided by British Isles DBT.
The service will provide assessment, treatment; training and consultation in relation to young people aged 12 to 18 who present with persistent self-harm and suicidal behaviour, which may be in the context of emotional dysregulation. Many of the young people seen will present with complex needs including high risk behaviours. All young people seen will have a comprehensive assessment to inform decision making and planning for the future. Each team member will have a small caseload and the team will support each other via consultation meetings and supervision.
Within the DBT service each clinician will play an active role in all aspects of the service, including assessment, treatment (individual therapy, skills group, phone coaching) teaching, training, research, and service development.
Main duties of the job
To provide specialist DBT to the service users of the WL CAMHS DBT Service, including specialist assessment and intervention for young people referred to the service. Contribute to service evaluation, policy development, audit, evaluation, and research in the area of self-harm and emotional dysregulation. Provide clinical supervision, teaching and consultation as appropriate.
To use and maintain skilled standards of professional clinical practice in the treatment modalities required by the children and young people attending the DBT service and be a resource to the whole service in maintaining the skills of others.
To manage their own caseload and provide specialist DBT interventions for young people. They will be responsible for the provision of skills training groups for young people and parents/carers.
To work in partnership with schools, social services departments, as well as local and national services to support integrated practice and service delivery.
Working for our organisation
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ 4,500 staff, of whom 56% are BME. Our turnover for 2023-24 is £426m.
The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
1. Post-graduate training in systemic family therapists as accredited by IFT or AFT.
2. Professional registration with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
3. Previous qualification in a relevant profession such as social work, nursing, teaching, psychology or counselling.
Desirable criteria
4. Training in DBT
5. Systemic supervision training
Experience
Essential criteria
6. Substantial length of practice in relevant first profession
7. Significant experience of work with children and adolescents in a mental health or equivalent setting
8. Experience of teaching, supervision and/or consultation
9. Experience of research and audit
10. Experience of working with highly complex children and adolescents who self-harm and/or have suicidal ideation
Desirable criteria
11. Experience of other treatment approaches
12. Experience of teaching and training systemic psychotherapy
13. Experience of NVR (non violent resistance) approach.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
14. Evidence base in relation to child and adolescent mental health
15. Research and research methodology at post-graduate level in relation to children and adults with mental health and social problems
16. The impact of abuse, trauma and other adverse experiences on children, young people and families.
17. Legislation and DOH guidelines relevant to child and adolescent mental health Mental Health Act 1983, Children Act 1989
18. Child protection policies and procedures
19. Child development in relation to mental health difficulties.
20. Knowledge of other modalities ( psychoanalytical, biological, cognitive, behavioural etc.) sufficient to engage appropriately with colleagues and their work with clients
Desirable criteria
21. Specialist knowledge in one or more areas of systemic therapy.
Skills
Essential criteria
22. Skills in working with children and families with mental health and social problems using a variety of approaches coherent with a systemic perspective.
23. Ability to apply analytical skills to multi-layered complex cases.
24. Ability to formulate comprehensive assessments and offer effective treatment based on systemic principles.
25. Ability to provide ongoing treatment in complex, often unstable, and frequently changing circumstances.
26. Ability to liaise with and manage complex professional networks in relation to individuals and families.
27. Skills in consulting to professional colleagues within and outside CAMHS
28. Ability to withstand high levels of emotional distress and think clearly in emotionally charged situations.
29. Ability to manage the risk of verbal and physical aggression. Ability to manage and plan own workload of complex cases.
30. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Desirable criteria
31. Ability to adhere to and promote equal opportunities in the development of the service.
32. Willingness and ability to work in co-operation with others.
33. Physically able to withstand the effort of working in conditions of stress
Administration and Record Keeping
Essential criteria
34. Competent in the use of clinical recording systems such as RIO. Understands the process for keeping safe, secure and relevant clinical records Understands and is able to use online incident reporting systems.
Attitude, Aptitude and Personal Characteristics
Essential criteria
35. Able to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy, using good communication skills.
36. Treats service users with respect and dignity at all times.
37. Enthusiastic, flexible and confident approach to working.
38. Able to prioritise own workload.
39. Willingness and ability to learn new skills and adapt to change.
40. Honesty, enthusiasm and a sense of loyalty Conducts self in a professional, courteous manner at all times.