Job summary We are excited to announce a fantastic opportunity for an experienced and compassionate Band 8a Family Therapist, to join our Children's Eating Disorder Service (CEDS), part of Somerset CAMHS, which is proud to be rated "Outstanding" by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). CEDS is dedicated to providing exceptional support to children, young people, and their families, who are facing challenges related to eating disorders. As a part of our highly regarded, and supportive team, you will be joining a service committed to delivering innovative and holistic care. This is a pivotal time to join us, as we continue to evolve our approach, to make a lasting difference in the lives of those we support. You'll have the opportunity to influence the direction of our clinical practice, working within a service that values teamwork, systemic thinking, and compassionate care. What We Offer: A supportive, collaborative team environment within an Outstanding-rated service. Opportunities for professional development, including supervision and training. A chance to play a key role in shaping the future of the service. Competitive salary and benefits. If you are ready to join an innovative, dynamic team making a real impact, we would love to hear from you. Main duties of the job This role is perfect for a dedicated and skilled family therapist who is passionate about supporting children and families affected by eating difficulties. As a key member of the team, you will: Offer assessments, consider hypotheses relating to case formulation, create treatment plans as part of an MDT for children and young people both in clinic and at home. Engage in systemic collaboration with multidisciplinary professionals across CAMHS, community teams, paediatric units, and inpatient services to ensure comprehensive care. Play an integral role in developing clinical pathways and enhancing the specialist Eating Disorder Service. Advocate for the use of systemic and psychological approaches in treatment, promoting a psychological and family-oriented perspective within the service. Offer systemic supervision and provide consultation on complex cases using systemic expertise to guide interventions. Support family-focused interventions that empower parents and carers to be part of the therapeutic process, recognising their importance in recovery. About us At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer: Flexible working options to help you balance work and life NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work. We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds. Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London. The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future. Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy. Date posted 12 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £53,755 to £60,504 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 184-OL-GR-1727 Job locations Foundation House Wellsprings Road Taunton Somerset TA2 7PQ Job description Job responsibilities For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification. Job description Job responsibilities For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Relevant qualification and registration in Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy or other relevant mental health profession Postgraduate qualification in family/systemic psychotherapy. Registration as a Systemic Psychotherapist with UKCP or equivalent body. Desirable Professional postgraduate qualification in a mental health or social welfare discipline or agreed Association of Family Therapy (AFT) equivalent Specialist training in supervision that has led to 'approved' clinical supervisor status. Specialist Training in teaching Systemic Psychotherapy. Experience Essential Skills in the use of methods of Systemic Psychotherapy/Family based assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration. Experience of working in CAMHS or similar services with children and young people. Experience of working therapeutically with eating disorders and/or eating difficulties. High level of relationship and communication skills to work with clients, families, and/or professionals where the atmosphere might be highly emotive with clients and families expressing anger and hostility. Well-developed skills in the ability to comprehend and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical, and/or clinically sensitive information in a manner appropriate to a range of settings and audiences, including complex highly emotive situations and those with significantly impaired communication capacities. Ability to liaise with and utilise analytical skills to manage complex professional meetings, networks, and processes in relation to individuals and families Knowledge of and skill in using the variety of approaches and methods within systemic practice (i.e. social constructionist, narrative, solution focused, etc.) as required to work with individuals, couples, family systems, groups, and organisations. Skills in both live and indirect supervision of systemic psychotherapists and/or multidisciplinary colleagues. Ability to provide ongoing treatment in complex, often unstable and frequently changing circumstances. Skills in providing systemic/Family Therapy consultation, teaching, and training to other professional and non-professional groups. Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings. Ability to learn to use and be responsible for the safety of expensive and complex video and DVD equipment. Knowledge of other modalities (i.e. psychoanalytic, medical, behavioural, etc.) sufficient to engage appropriately with colleagues and their work with clients. Knowledge of legislation and its implications for both clinical practice and professional management in relation to mental health and the full range of client groups. Evidence of continuing Professional Development as required by UKCP/AFT guidelines Knowledge and skills of risk management and ability to perform a clinical risk assessment. Substantial practice in relevant first profession. Desirable Knowledge and application of standardised assessments and outcome measures. Knowledge of the theory and practice of Systemic Psychotherapy/Family therapy in specific difficult to treat groups (e.g. personality disorder, eating disorders, dual diagnosis etc). Skills in providing advanced level systemic/ Family Therapy training and supervision to other professionals. Additional Criteria Essential Own transport available for work purposes Full UK driving licence Person Specification Qualifications Essential Relevant qualification and registration in Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy or other relevant mental health profession Postgraduate qualification in family/systemic psychotherapy. Registration as a Systemic Psychotherapist with UKCP or equivalent body. Desirable Professional postgraduate qualification in a mental health or social welfare discipline or agreed Association of Family Therapy (AFT) equivalent Specialist training in supervision that has led to 'approved' clinical supervisor status. Specialist Training in teaching Systemic Psychotherapy. Experience Essential Skills in the use of methods of Systemic Psychotherapy/Family based assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration. Experience of working in CAMHS or similar services with children and young people. Experience of working therapeutically with eating disorders and/or eating difficulties. High level of relationship and communication skills to work with clients, families, and/or professionals where the atmosphere might be highly emotive with clients and families expressing anger and hostility. Well-developed skills in the ability to comprehend and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical, and/or clinically sensitive information in a manner appropriate to a range of settings and audiences, including complex highly emotive situations and those with significantly impaired communication capacities. Ability to liaise with and utilise analytical skills to manage complex professional meetings, networks, and processes in relation to individuals and families Knowledge of and skill in using the variety of approaches and methods within systemic practice (i.e. social constructionist, narrative, solution focused, etc.) as required to work with individuals, couples, family systems, groups, and organisations. Skills in both live and indirect supervision of systemic psychotherapists and/or multidisciplinary colleagues. Ability to provide ongoing treatment in complex, often unstable and frequently changing circumstances. Skills in providing systemic/Family Therapy consultation, teaching, and training to other professional and non-professional groups. Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings. Ability to learn to use and be responsible for the safety of expensive and complex video and DVD equipment. Knowledge of other modalities (i.e. psychoanalytic, medical, behavioural, etc.) sufficient to engage appropriately with colleagues and their work with clients. Knowledge of legislation and its implications for both clinical practice and professional management in relation to mental health and the full range of client groups. Evidence of continuing Professional Development as required by UKCP/AFT guidelines Knowledge and skills of risk management and ability to perform a clinical risk assessment. Substantial practice in relevant first profession. Desirable Knowledge and application of standardised assessments and outcome measures. Knowledge of the theory and practice of Systemic Psychotherapy/Family therapy in specific difficult to treat groups (e.g. personality disorder, eating disorders, dual diagnosis etc). Skills in providing advanced level systemic/ Family Therapy training and supervision to other professionals. Additional Criteria Essential Own transport available for work purposes Full UK driving licence 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Address Foundation House Wellsprings Road Taunton Somerset TA2 7PQ Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)