Job summary
Welcome to Alliance Psychological Services, we've been dedicated to providing first rate counselling and psychological therapy services to our local communities for over two decades. As the largest and most trusted psychological therapy provider in Teesside we take pride in our commitment to delivering cutting edge, evidence based services that prioritise people's mental health and wellbeing. Our mission is to ensure that everyone has access to high quality, evidence based support delivered by our team of trained and passionate staff. We place people at the core of all we do, striving to excel in mental health provision.
We're also the leading independent provider of children and young people's mental health and emotional wellbeing services in Teesside. With a team of over 40 qualified therapists and trainees, supported by dedicated leadership, management, and support staff, we serve and support more than 3000 children, young people, families, and education settings each year. Our work is commissioned through various funding streams, including Local Authorities, schools and the Tees Valley ICB, and we lead the Hartlepool and Stockton National Trailblazer for Mental Health Support Teams. Our service has also achieved the Investing in Children Membership Award. This scheme recognises and celebrates examples of imaginative and inclusive practice with children and young people.
Specialist Therapist
Full or Part Time
Permanent
Salary Scale: £29,000 - £33,500 pro rata to hours worked
Main duties of the job
We are currently recruiting for a Specialist Therapist to work within ourChildren, Young Peoples and Families Team across Hartlepool & Stockton.
Thesuccessful candidate will offer consultation, clinical assessment andpsychotherapeutic counselling to children, young people and their families(CYPF) who have experienced complex trauma. They will work with parents, carers andprofessionals to develop their understanding of developmental andattachment-based trauma, improving outcomes and support for affected children.
You must have the right to work in the UK as we are currently unable to offerworking visa opportunities.
For more information onthis post please contact us on or .
Closingdate for applications: 27 September 2024
Interviewdates: TBC
About us
Alliance offers firstrate training and development opportunities, 38 days annual leave pro rata,rising 1 day every 5 years of service (as well as the option to purchaseadditional annual leave) EAP health scheme including costs towards eyetests/glasses, dental treatment, physio treatment, life insurance and shopping discountsalongside a 3% contributory pension scheme. We also offer lots of health andwellbeing initiatives for our staff and promote flexible working for a positivework life balance.
Alliance PsychologicalServices has organisational responsibility for safeguarding all children andvulnerable adults within our service, part of this is to follow safer recruitmentof staff for all appointments. It is also a requirement that all staff understandit is each person's individual responsibility and are committed to promotingand safeguarding the welfare of children.
Please note that due tothe nature of the duties of these roles, an enhanced criminal recordsdisclosure will be sought in the event of a successful application.
Alliance PsychologicalServices Limited is committed to promoting equal opportunities in our employmentpractice and service delivery. We are signatories to the Mindful EmployersCharter. Alliance also has Investors in People status and is a Living Wage employer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Undertake highly skilled assessments ofclinical need, including risk assessments, considering childrensdevelopmental, attachment, trauma and cultural needs.
Working to a clear clinical plan, provideoutcomes-focused trauma and attachment therapy with children and families whohave experienced trauma.
To work within the principles of CYP IAPTensuring the appropriate use of routine outcome monitoring tools
To explore and evaluate clinical treatmentusing evaluation tools, contributing to evidence-based practice.
In conjunction with the Counselling Lead, totake part in triage work for the service, helping to ensure appropriatereferrals into, and out of, the service. To explore hypotheses and agreeappropriate therapy interventions as part of wider triage work, in discussionwith the wider team and external partners through weekly multi agency huddles.
To create and maintain effective workingrelationships with Headteachers, Deputy Heads, SENCOs, Pastoral Team, andwider teaching staff by providing advice and consultative support on emotionaland mental health issues, and in relation to appropriate referral pathways forchildren, young people, and families with mental health needs.
To work with the Counselling Lead and ServiceManager in helping to promote and develop our service links with affectedfamilies and partner agencies.
Ensure that the needs and views of childrenyoung people are at the heart of everything we do: offering holistic andchild-centred interventions which are appropriate to their clinical needs,including referrals into other services as appropriate.
To operate within the Service Referral toDischarge Protocols
Keep coherent records of all training andclinical activity in line with Alliances service protocols and use theserecords and outcome data to inform decision making.
To liaise effectively with other localproviders, including statutory and voluntary organisations and advocate onbehalf of the family where appropriate.
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 share appropriately information with parents/carers or other agencies regarding the familys wellbeing and progress keeping within the boundaries of Confidentiality and Information sharing protocols.
To take part in multi-agency meetings, including Early help / Child in Need/ Child Protection meetings, care planning meetings with other health professionals and safeguarding reviews.
A professional and Ethical Service
To maintain appropriate clinical notes and records on IAPTUS and in line with Alliance policies and procedures
To undertake relevant Continuing Professional Development as required for the purposes of continued professional accreditation or registration and as identified through Alliances professional development and Appraisal System
To undertake clinical supervision as per Alliance supervision policy and in line with the appropriate professional body.
To work within Data Protection Act 1998 and Alliance Information Governance policies and procedures
To ensure a safe and secure working environment for self and others and to act as necessary within Health and Safety and other guidelines.
To adhere to all Alliance Policies, Procedures and Guidelines
To promote and value the rights, responsibilities and diversity of people using the Service.
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 Alliances organisational objectives and priorities.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
4. A minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience as a child & adolescent counsellor/ psychotherapist working with children, young people, and families effected by trauma/bereavement.
5. Demonstrable experience of providing outcomes focused therapy to children, young people and their families.
6. Experience of sharing knowledge and skills with colleagues and other professionals.
7. Experience of participation in multi - agency planning and safeguarding work, including Early Help, Child in Need and Child Protection meetings and processes, working effectively with the system around the child.
Desirable
8. Specialist training or experience in providing therapy using a trauma focussed approach to assessment and treatment planning.
Knowledge, Other skills & qualities
Essential
9. Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in children and young people.
10. A good understanding of theories of child development and attachment
11. Knowledge of educational environments
12. Knowledge of safeguarding issues
13. Knowledge of capacity and consent issues including Gillick competence
14. Knowledge CYP-IPAT principles and I-Thrive Framework
15. Extensive knowledge of person-centred therapeutic theory, practice, and interventions with CYPF
16. Ability to communicate effectively with children, families and professionals and work in partnership to agree therapy goals.
17. Ability to offer highly skilled assessments of clinical need, exploring hypotheses with families and colleagues and working to a clear therapeutic plan in accordance with identified clinical needs.
18. Excellent written and oral presentation skills, with ability to keep concise and accurate records and produce informative well written reports.
19. Full, enhanced, and current satisfactory DBS disclosure for the role
20. Able to travel to meet the requirements of the post access to a car.
21. Proven commitment to continuous professional development
22. Self-motivated
23. Team player
24. Excellent time management and organisational skills
Desirable
25. Skills and knowledge in systemic practice and theory. Ability to apply systemic thinking to clinical assessment
Qualifications
Essential
26. A recognised professional qualification in psychotherapy or counselling at a minimum of Dip /PGDip level or above. Educated to degree level and registered with an appropriate professional organisation relevant to therapy modality ( UKCP, AFT, ACP, BACP, BAAT, HCPC, BADth, BAPT etc). Accredited within specific therapy modality, or actively working towards this.
Desirable
27. Specialist skills or training in specific trauma or attachment therapies ( EMDR, TF-CBT, Theraplay, DDP etc)