Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to make a positive difference to the lives of children, young people and families. We are currently recruiting a School Therapist roles to join the established team in the Inner West Cluster.
The therapist will deliver one-to-one short-term therapeutic interventions to primary and
secondary school children referred through the cluster.
The
exact nature of the therapeutic work will depend on the presenting issues and
on the theoretical orientation of the post-holder. Work will normally last for
6 to 8 weekly sessions, but may be extended depending on factors such as the
degree of engagement/clinical need/likelihood of CAMHS involvement etc. Any
group interventions would also be consistent with the above approaches.
Main duties of the job
The therapist will deliver one-to-one short-term therapeutic interventions to primary and secondary school children referred through the cluster.
The focus will be on referrals from identified priority groups where consent and motivation criteria are met (including looked-after children, potentially NEET at 16, poor attendees, vulnerable boys, those experiencing bullying, young carers, those affected by loss/bereavement/parental separation, children who are anxious/depressed, those displaying behaviour management problems/conduct disorder, those experiencing deprivation, asylum seekers, refugees, etc).
A limited amount of work with adults (parents and carers) may be required within the role and the therapist will be able to refer parents (if need be) to other services within the area, including Northpoint’s other provision.
About us
Northpoint Wellbeing is a charity which provides a range of services to promote emotional wellbeing. We believe that timely access to appropriate support, particularly talking therapies, is an effective way of promoting emotional wellbeing and relieving mental distress, for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Our mission is to improve access to a range of talking therapies, in a timely manner, for everyone.
Our vision is to provide therapeutic & preventative services, which help people experiencing emotional distress to make changes in their life, to as wide a group of people as possible. Our values are to be client-focused, committed, responsive, and supportive
We deliver services which help people to: better understand the issues they are experiencing and consider choices and solutions open to them take steps towards making changes.
Interview Date: interviews will be held in person on the 18th July.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the post will include:
Delivery of the therapeutic service in the cluster, working with colleagues to promote the service, liaising with school staff and other stakeholders.
Building and maintaining good, effective working relationships with management teams and pastoral staff in the schools and venues.
Liaising with cluster and school staff on referrals, assessing and determining the need for intervention with children and families referred.
Holding a caseload of children and young people (aged 5 to 19) and parents/carers at any one time.
Holding a caseload of referrals and gathering information to allow accurate assessment and formulation of emotional and mental health needs for children and young people.
Delivery of short-term (normally 6 to 8 sessions), evidence-based individual interventions in various school settings, to children and families who are referred through the cluster, and where consent and motivation criteria are met.
Delivery of group interventions where appropriate.
With a developed understanding of local services, assisting the cluster team to establish the most appropriate cluster practitioner to work with specific referrals, or providing supporting information for onward referrals into specific CAMHS pathways.
Offering consultation and advice to school staff, cluster and other professionals as and when appropriate.
Working peripatetically across schools in the cluster.
Providing clinical support, guidance and input to school and cluster-based staff.
Attending/contributing to referral and planning meetings with school and other staff.
Taking a proactive approach to ensuring safeguarding concerns are raised appropriately, and contributing to EHCP/safeguarding processes.
Ensuring that all records are kept confidentially, in line with Northpoint’s procedures.
Working with other professionals to ensure therapeutic input is appropriate to the needs of the client group, and that all therapeutic services follow the evidence base.
Communicating with parents/families in line with Northpoint guidance.
Any other duties as required by the evolving nature of the project (primarily keeping integrated case management information in line with other project members, undertaking relevant assessments, completing monitoring and evaluation reports, and attending team meetings and other forums).
Job description
Job responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the post will include:
Delivery of the therapeutic service in the cluster, working with colleagues to promote the service, liaising with school staff and other stakeholders.
Building and maintaining good, effective working relationships with management teams and pastoral staff in the schools and venues.
Liaising with cluster and school staff on referrals, assessing and determining the need for intervention with children and families referred.
Holding a caseload of children and young people (aged 5 to 19) and parents/carers at any one time.
Holding a caseload of referrals and gathering information to allow accurate assessment and formulation of emotional and mental health needs for children and young people.
Delivery of short-term (normally 6 to 8 sessions), evidence-based individual interventions in various school settings, to children and families who are referred through the cluster, and where consent and motivation criteria are met.
Delivery of group interventions where appropriate.
With a developed understanding of local services, assisting the cluster team to establish the most appropriate cluster practitioner to work with specific referrals, or providing supporting information for onward referrals into specific CAMHS pathways.
Offering consultation and advice to school staff, cluster and other professionals as and when appropriate.
Working peripatetically across schools in the cluster.
Providing clinical support, guidance and input to school and cluster-based staff.
Attending/contributing to referral and planning meetings with school and other staff.
Taking a proactive approach to ensuring safeguarding concerns are raised appropriately, and contributing to EHCP/safeguarding processes.
Ensuring that all records are kept confidentially, in line with Northpoint’s procedures.
Working with other professionals to ensure therapeutic input is appropriate to the needs of the client group, and that all therapeutic services follow the evidence base.
Communicating with parents/families in line with Northpoint guidance.
Any other duties as required by the evolving nature of the project (primarily keeping integrated case management information in line with other project members, undertaking relevant assessments, completing monitoring and evaluation reports, and attending team meetings and other forums).
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A relevant therapeutic qualification OR a relevant professional qualification (E)
- A relevant professional qualification would include nursing, occupational therapy, social work or a similar allied health profession.
- A relevant therapeutic qualification would include a diploma from a BACP-accredited training (or equivalent) OR a relevant HCPC-registered title (i.e. art therapist, arts psychotherapist, drama therapist, counselling psychologist, clinical psychologist).
- NB Equivalent therapy qualifications from non-accredited courses should be of a level that would be recognised for professional accreditation purposes and sufficient to practise as a counsellor/therapist (i.e. minimum of 450 taught hours over at least 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, supervised practice within a therapeutic organisation, with teaching which covered elements of theory, skills practice, professional issues and personal development).
Desirable
- Post-registration training in relevant evidence-based/NICE guideline-indicated mental health interventions (e.g. CBT, brief family work, group work) (D)
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working collaboratively with children and young people across different age groups with a range of presenting mental health difficulties
- Experience in the delivery of short-term supportive approaches (e.g. CBT, brief solution-focused therapy, family work, creative/play interventions etc)
- Experience of demonstrating outcomes in client work, and in using monitoring, evaluation, and wellbeing measurement systems (e.g. Goodmans SDQ)
- Experience in carrying out comprehensive mental health assessments including assessment of risk, analysis of strengths and protective factors
- Experience in assessing child protection concerns and the ability to act on these in accordance with relevant safeguarding procedures
Desirable
- A minimum of one years post-qualification experience of working with children and young people with emotional/behavioural issues
- Experience or knowledge of specialist schools/SILCs, AIPs
- Experience of working with children with learning disabilities, complex needs and neurodevelopmental disorders including autism and ADHD
- Experience of delivering training
- Experience of organising and delivering groups
Skills
Essential
- Ability to provide advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals on matters of childrens mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Ability to work positively and inclusively with families while retaining the confidentiality and privacy of young people
- Ability to participate in a multi-agency approach around matters of importance to childrens wellbeing (e.g. NHS, social services and other universal services)
- Ability to write positive and professional reports and letters (e.g. referral letters, discharge summaries)
Desirable
- Basic IT skills
- Fluent in languages other than English
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of initiatives, priorities and agendas facing staff working in schools and childrens services, such as CAF/Early Help Initiative, Children & Young Peoples Plan, Child Protection Plan etc
Desirable
- Knowledge of the Leeds area and local services including CAMHS, children and family services, and other relevant agencies
Other
Desirable
- Car driver with clean driving license and access to own vehicle
Professional Registration
Essential
- The relevant qualifications, experience and willingness to achieve registration/membership with a relevant professional body within 12 months
Desirable
- Registration/membership with a relevant professional body (e.g. NMC/GSCC/HCPC/UKCP-registered, BACP membership)
- Accreditation with a professional body (e.g. BACP-accredited)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A relevant therapeutic qualification OR a relevant professional qualification (E)
- A relevant professional qualification would include nursing, occupational therapy, social work or a similar allied health profession.
- A relevant therapeutic qualification would include a diploma from a BACP-accredited training (or equivalent) OR a relevant HCPC-registered title (i.e. art therapist, arts psychotherapist, drama therapist, counselling psychologist, clinical psychologist).
- NB Equivalent therapy qualifications from non-accredited courses should be of a level that would be recognised for professional accreditation purposes and sufficient to practise as a counsellor/therapist (i.e. minimum of 450 taught hours over at least 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, supervised practice within a therapeutic organisation, with teaching which covered elements of theory, skills practice, professional issues and personal development).
Desirable
- Post-registration training in relevant evidence-based/NICE guideline-indicated mental health interventions (e.g. CBT, brief family work, group work) (D)
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working collaboratively with children and young people across different age groups with a range of presenting mental health difficulties
- Experience in the delivery of short-term supportive approaches (e.g. CBT, brief solution-focused therapy, family work, creative/play interventions etc)
- Experience of demonstrating outcomes in client work, and in using monitoring, evaluation, and wellbeing measurement systems (e.g. Goodmans SDQ)
- Experience in carrying out comprehensive mental health assessments including assessment of risk, analysis of strengths and protective factors
- Experience in assessing child protection concerns and the ability to act on these in accordance with relevant safeguarding procedures
Desirable
- A minimum of one years post-qualification experience of working with children and young people with emotional/behavioural issues
- Experience or knowledge of specialist schools/SILCs, AIPs
- Experience of working with children with learning disabilities, complex needs and neurodevelopmental disorders including autism and ADHD
- Experience of delivering training
- Experience of organising and delivering groups
Skills
Essential
- Ability to provide advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals on matters of childrens mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Ability to work positively and inclusively with families while retaining the confidentiality and privacy of young people
- Ability to participate in a multi-agency approach around matters of importance to childrens wellbeing (e.g. NHS, social services and other universal services)
- Ability to write positive and professional reports and letters (e.g. referral letters, discharge summaries)
Desirable
- Basic IT skills
- Fluent in languages other than English
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of initiatives, priorities and agendas facing staff working in schools and childrens services, such as CAF/Early Help Initiative, Children & Young Peoples Plan, Child Protection Plan etc
Desirable
- Knowledge of the Leeds area and local services including CAMHS, children and family services, and other relevant agencies
Other
Desirable
- Car driver with clean driving license and access to own vehicle
Professional Registration
Essential
- The relevant qualifications, experience and willingness to achieve registration/membership with a relevant professional body within 12 months
Desirable
- Registration/membership with a relevant professional body (e.g. NMC/GSCC/HCPC/UKCP-registered, BACP membership)
- Accreditation with a professional body (e.g. BACP-accredited)
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
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
