Job Summary
Alliance is a leading local children's mental health provider delivering psychological support and emotional well-being services in primary and secondary schools and supports a whole school approach to improving children's mental health and wellbeing. We also provide psychological therapies to children and families with multiple and complex needs. Through the Children and Young People's Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (CYP IAPT) Programme our service transformation is through the delivery of evidence-based therapies, use of routine outcome measures and in full collaboration with children, young people, and families.
We are seeking a Mental Health Support Worker to join our friendly team. This contract is for a fixed term of 12 months but with possibility to extend.
Main duties of the job
The Post Holder will offer clinical and administrative support to Alliance's Children and Young People and Families (CYPF) Psychological Therapies Service. They will contribute to assessments, waiting list management and CYPF support in collaboration with other members of the team, providing self-help support and signposting to a range of partner agencies.
DBS Check required (level of disclosure): Enhanced
Closing date for applications: 6 May 2025
Interview date: w/c 12 May 2025
About Us
Alliance offers first-rate training and development opportunities, 38 days annual leave pro rata, rising 1 day every 5 years of service (as well as the option to purchase additional annual leave) EAP health scheme including costs towards eye tests/glasses, dental treatment, physio treatment and shopping discounts alongside a 3% contributory pension scheme. We also offer lots of health and wellbeing initiatives for our staff and promote flexible working for a positive work-life balance.
Alliance Psychological Services has organisational responsibility for safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults within our service. It is also a requirement that all staff understand it is each person's individual responsibility and are committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children.
Please note that due to the nature of the duties of these roles, an enhanced criminal records disclosure will be sought in the event of a successful application.
Alliance Psychological Services Limited is committed to promoting equal opportunities in our employment practice and service delivery. We are signatories to the Mindful Employers Charter. Alliance also has Investors in People status and is a Living Wage employer.
Date posted
17 April 2025
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£25,000 to £26,000 a year Pro Rata to Hours Worked
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
E0163-25-0007
Job locations
Alliance Psychological Services Ltd, 24 Yarm Road, Stockton-on-tees, Cleveland, TS18 3NA
Job Description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. To work as a member of the Children and Young People and Families (CYPF) team.
2. To create and maintain effective working relationships within the CYPF Team.
3. To provide support to CYPF waiting to begin treatment including maintaining regular contact and providing information on other sources of help, including guided self-help.
4. To offer advice and support to CYPF in relation to appropriate referral pathways for emotional wellbeing and mental health needs and signpost accordingly.
5. To liaise effectively with specialist CaMHS services and voluntary sector organisations and services.
6. To attend team meetings and relevant briefing sessions relating to service developments.
7. To assist in the development and promotion of the service.
To provide a range of therapeutic interventions
1. To inform CYP assessments with parent, carer and professional information.
2. To deliver guided self-help and identify suitable self-help resources to support CYPF waiting for an intervention.
3. To work within an appropriate time framework.
4. To make appropriate onward referrals following initial assessment for CYPF requiring other services, including statutory and voluntary agencies.
To provide a professional and ethical service
1. To maintain appropriate records including all required assessment and evaluation tools.
2. To undertake relevant Continuing Professional Development activities both as required for the purposes of continued professional accreditation or registration and as identified through Alliance's Professional Development and Appraisal System.
3. To undertake an appropriate amount of clinical supervision from a qualified Clinical Supervisor.
4. To operate within agreed Alliance and professional guidelines and Codes of Practice.
5. To ensure a safe and secure working environment for self and others and to act as necessary within Health and Safety and other guidelines.
Safeguarding
1. Responsible for safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children & young people at all times and operating within local policies and procedures.
2. Taking appropriate safeguarding action to protect children & young people at risk of significant harm.
3. To identify and support families in accessing Early Help Services.
4. To share appropriately information with parents/carers or other agencies regarding the child's wellbeing and progress keeping within the boundaries of Confidentiality and Information sharing protocols.
Organisational Responsibilities
1. To demonstrate and be a role model for Alliance's values, to promote and encourage positive behaviours, enhancing the quality and integrity of the services we provide.
2. To take responsibility for health, safety, and wellbeing in accordance with Alliance's policies and procedures.
3. To promote a society that gives everyone an equal chance to work and live free from discrimination and prejudice.
4. To work in a way that does not divulge personal and/or confidential information and follow Alliance's policies and procedures in relation to data protection and security of information.
5. To promote a culture whereby performance management is ingrained, and the highest standards and performance are achieved by all. Ensure that mandatory training commitments are met and that the postholder keeps up to date with Alliance's policies and procedures. Contribute to Alliance's Appraisal processes to ensure continuous learning and improvement and to increase organisational performance.
This job description is designed to identify principal responsibilities only. The post holder is required to be flexible in developing the role in accordance with changes in Alliance's organisational objectives and priorities.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
* Foundation Degree, Level 5 or higher award in psychology or relevant child/youth qualification.
Desirable
* Therapeutic Psychological Qualification and membership of or registration with an appropriate professional body such as BACP, BABCP, UKCP, BPS.
Experience Essential
* Experience & Therapeutic Practice
* Experience of working with children, young people and their families.
* Experience of working in an education, health or social care setting.
* Experience of providing advice, guidance and signposting.
* Experience of providing emotional and wellbeing support to children, young people and their families.
* Demonstrate an understanding of a range of mild-moderate mental health problems including anxiety and depression and how it may present in Children & Young People.
* Child Protection and Safeguarding
* A clear understanding of policies and local procedures and commitment to the safeguarding of children and young people.
* Partnership Working
* Demonstrates the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of professionals, while staying informed about the local support available to families and the appropriate referral pathways to ensure timely and effective signposting.
* Demonstrate an ability to contribute and support assessments/care plans to enable positive outcomes for children and their families.
* Demonstrates a consistently positive attitude to working within Alliance.
* Demonstrates ability to work collaboratively with children, young people and families.
* Has the ability to develop good therapeutic relationships with children, young people and families.
* Personal Qualities, Skills and Abilities
* Ability to work within a dynamic and developing service.
* To form professional relationships with young people and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.
* Demonstration of self-motivation and motivation of others.
* Make good use of clinical supervision to discuss casework, make plans for action, reflect on and implement best practice.
* Ability to work confidently and competently under pressure.
* Able to travel to meet the requirements of the post.
* Communication
* Communicate effectively with the families we support, team members, and partner professionals across all aspects of care, using a range of appropriate and sensitive communication skills. Engage with young people and their carers to gather relevant information that supports assessment, formulation understanding, and care planning while recognising and responding appropriately to their emotional needs.
* Shares information, skills and practice when required.
* Excellent case recording, report writing and case presentation skills.
* IT
* Demonstrates competency in using Microsoft Office.
* Experience in using database systems to record clinical activity.
Desirable
* Awareness of or familiarity with a range of therapeutic approaches, in particular CBT-based interventions.
* Demonstrate an understanding for the need to use evidence-based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post.
* Trained and experienced in groupwork.
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Alliance Psychological Services Limited
Address
Alliance Psychological Services Ltd, 24 Yarm Road, Stockton-on-tees, Cleveland, TS18 3NA
Employer's website
https://www.alliancepsychology.com/
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