Job summary
The post offers an exciting opportunity to join a small growing team and to develop new models of working with impending loss and/or bereavement that supports children and young people's psychological needs. Zig Zag Children & Young People's Service supports children, young people and their families who had a bereavement or are affected by a life-shortening illness (themselves or someone close to them).
The post holder will oversee the referral flow and allocation process of the Young People Service which is part of the overall Zig Zag Children & Young People's Psychological Support Service at the Margaret. The post holder will, through assessment, ongoing therapeutic work, and appropriate referrals, ensure that young people and their families/carers receive appropriate and professional high-quality support and advice. They will also work alongside the Clinical Lead and provide formal and informal support to students on placement and other professionals in death, loss and grief as it relates to young people. In their clinical work they are expected to work across the age range of the overall service.
They will provide specialist advice, education and support to local schools and organizations and will liaise closely with other care providers, including pediatric oncology, the specialist palliative care team and social services.
Informal discussions are encouraged, and you are invited to contact:
Gesine Miller Clinical Lead Zig Zag: gesine.miller@nhs.net
Main duties of the job
The post holder will lead the Young People's Counselling Service (YPCS), a counselling service for young people (aged 12-17 years) who have had a bereavement or are affected by a life-shortening illness (themselves or someone close to them). The YPCS operates within the Psychological Support Service at The Margaret Centre. The post holder will, through assessment, ongoing therapeutic work and appropriate referrals, ensure that young people and their families/carers receive appropriate and professional high quality support and advice. They will be required to give clinical supervision to a small group of volunteers and to provide both formal and informal education for volunteers and other professionals in death, loss and grief as it relates to young people.
They will provide specialist advice, education and support to local schools and organizations and will liaise closely with other care providers, including paediatric oncology, the specialist palliative care team and social services in order to ensure that the YPCS continues to be part of a cohesive, modern and robust service
About us
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain's leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Managerial
- Act as a role model and point of reference for others in the Zig Zag Children and Young peoples Service
- Help manage referral flows into the ZZCYPS
- Liaise with the Clinical Lead and other Senior Therapist/Counsellor in order to ensure that the service is responsive to the needs of children and young people and their families within the London Borough of Waltham Forest and parts of the London Borough of Redbridge
- In collaboration with the Clinical Lead, be responsible for the development, implementation and review of policies and procedures related to the provision of the ZZCYPS
- Act as first line for advice and support in child protection/child in need procedures in relation to children and young people referred to the service and to provide up-to-date information to other staff
- Act as a resource to both specialist and supportive palliative care providers and relevant community-based services in respect of issues impacting children and young people in bereavement or diagnosis-related work
- Ensure students within the Children and Young Peoples service adhere to the policies and procedures of the Trust, including attendance at relevant mandatory training sessions offered by the Trust
- Be active in seeking professional and personal development and ensure a high quality and effective service
- To be responsible, together with the Clinical Lead, for identifying and supporting training potential within the team
- Monitor the quality of the service
- Develop written resources for service users
- Represent ZZCYPS at meetings at local level
- Be a member of the specialist palliative care services multidisciplinary team (MDT). Develop and strengthen effective relationships within the MDT
- Ensure equipment supplies, staffing and other resources are used appropriately
- Ensure records are updated in a timely, safe and appropriate way
- Promote an environment conducive to progression
- Aid in resource management
Clinical
- Be responsible for promoting, monitoring and maintaining best practice in health, safety and security as it relates to safeguarding the children and young people referred to the service
- Undertake the assessment, therapeutic management, evaluation of interventions and reviewing of case work for children and young people referred to the service
- Undertake appropriate work with families of children and young people either directly or in conjunction with other ZZCYPS therapists/counsellors
- Demonstrate advanced therapeutic skills across a range of counselling methods and theoretical backgrounds in order to apply experience, working knowledge and proficiency in delivering appropriate interventions in the counselling of children and young people
- Have a good working knowledge of Child Protection Policies and Procedures and be able to communicate confidential, sensitive and complex information to staff at all levels in respect of Child Protection issues
- Carry out responsibilities in such a way as to minimise risk of harm to children, young people and vulnerable adults and to promote their welfare in accordance with the Children Act 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children (2006) and No Secrets guidance (DH 2000)
- Abide by the Trusts Code of Conduct and Caldicott requirements in regard to confidentiality at all times
- Be responsible for dealing with front line enquiries from members of the public, health and education professionals including dealing sensitively and appropriately with parents and carers when confidential information is held regarding their child
- Maintain a caseload of regular weekly clients
- Recognise the limits of their competence and ability and, where appropriate, make appropriate referrals to other departments and/or external agencies
- Regularly liaise with the Clinical lead and other Senior Therapist/Counsellor on clinical and non-clinical issues and new initiatives in order to ensure that the service develops in line with NHS modernization
- Ensure timely and appropriate communications are initiated with educational, community, statutory, non-statutory and charitable organisations. This may include mental health and other professionals e.g. Child and Family Consultation Service (CFCS)
- Liaise with other members of the MDT and other services when necessary in order to carry out risk assessments of young people and their families
Education
- Ensure they have a yearly individual performance review and will identify their own education needs as part of their commitment to continuing professional development
- Initiate and facilitate appropriate study sessions
- Be responsible for training Trust employees and external professionals with particular emphasis on bereavement and loss, adolescent development and supporting young people suffering loss
- Assist and support student counsellors on placement with ongoing issues
Research and Audit
- Demonstrate a commitment to research and audit activities
- Demonstrate evidence-based decision-making in respect of the care of individual children and young people and their families and in the delivery of ZZCYP
- Assist in the recording and collating of statistical data and produce this when require
- Comply with Trust Policies and the Data Protection Act in all respects, particularly in the protection and use of patient informatio
- Participate in clinical governance activities
Professional
- Attend regular ZZCYPS team meetings, staff development sessions and briefing
- Receive regular clinical supervision from an appropriately qualified and registered supervis
- Ensure that the Code of Ethics and Practice of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or, the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT) is adhered to
- Provide written assessment and progress reports for students on placement, as required by their Training Establishment and/or by Clinical Lead
- Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development by updating relevant skills and knowledge
- Adhere to the Trusts Equality and Diversity policy and related procedures
- Maintain professional accreditation and registratio
This job description outlines the current main responsibilities of the post. However, the duties of the post may change and develop over time and this job description may, therefore, be amended in consultation with the postholder.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Managerial
- Act as a role model and point of reference for others in the Zig Zag Children and Young peoples Service
- Help manage referral flows into the ZZCYPS
- Liaise with the Clinical Lead and other Senior Therapist/Counsellor in order to ensure that the service is responsive to the needs of children and young people and their families within the London Borough of Waltham Forest and parts of the London Borough of Redbridge
- In collaboration with the Clinical Lead, be responsible for the development, implementation and review of policies and procedures related to the provision of the ZZCYPS
- Act as first line for advice and support in child protection/child in need procedures in relation to children and young people referred to the service and to provide up-to-date information to other staff
- Act as a resource to both specialist and supportive palliative care providers and relevant community-based services in respect of issues impacting children and young people in bereavement or diagnosis-related work
- Ensure students within the Children and Young Peoples service adhere to the policies and procedures of the Trust, including attendance at relevant mandatory training sessions offered by the Trust
- Be active in seeking professional and personal development and ensure a high quality and effective service
- To be responsible, together with the Clinical Lead, for identifying and supporting training potential within the team
- Monitor the quality of the service
- Develop written resources for service users
- Represent ZZCYPS at meetings at local level
- Be a member of the specialist palliative care services multidisciplinary team (MDT). Develop and strengthen effective relationships within the MDT
- Ensure equipment supplies, staffing and other resources are used appropriately
- Ensure records are updated in a timely, safe and appropriate way
- Promote an environment conducive to progression
- Aid in resource management
Clinical
- Be responsible for promoting, monitoring and maintaining best practice in health, safety and security as it relates to safeguarding the children and young people referred to the service
- Undertake the assessment, therapeutic management, evaluation of interventions and reviewing of case work for children and young people referred to the service
- Undertake appropriate work with families of children and young people either directly or in conjunction with other ZZCYPS therapists/counsellors
- Demonstrate advanced therapeutic skills across a range of counselling methods and theoretical backgrounds in order to apply experience, working knowledge and proficiency in delivering appropriate interventions in the counselling of children and young people
- Have a good working knowledge of Child Protection Policies and Procedures and be able to communicate confidential, sensitive and complex information to staff at all levels in respect of Child Protection issues
- Carry out responsibilities in such a way as to minimise risk of harm to children, young people and vulnerable adults and to promote their welfare in accordance with the Children Act 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children (2006) and No Secrets guidance (DH 2000)
- Abide by the Trusts Code of Conduct and Caldicott requirements in regard to confidentiality at all times
- Be responsible for dealing with front line enquiries from members of the public, health and education professionals including dealing sensitively and appropriately with parents and carers when confidential information is held regarding their child
- Maintain a caseload of regular weekly clients
- Recognise the limits of their competence and ability and, where appropriate, make appropriate referrals to other departments and/or external agencies
- Regularly liaise with the Clinical lead and other Senior Therapist/Counsellor on clinical and non-clinical issues and new initiatives in order to ensure that the service develops in line with NHS modernization
- Ensure timely and appropriate communications are initiated with educational, community, statutory, non-statutory and charitable organisations. This may include mental health and other professionals e.g. Child and Family Consultation Service (CFCS)
- Liaise with other members of the MDT and other services when necessary in order to carry out risk assessments of young people and their families
Education
- Ensure they have a yearly individual performance review and will identify their own education needs as part of their commitment to continuing professional development
- Initiate and facilitate appropriate study sessions
- Be responsible for training Trust employees and external professionals with particular emphasis on bereavement and loss, adolescent development and supporting young people suffering loss
- Assist and support student counsellors on placement with ongoing issues
Research and Audit
- Demonstrate a commitment to research and audit activities
- Demonstrate evidence-based decision-making in respect of the care of individual children and young people and their families and in the delivery of ZZCYP
- Assist in the recording and collating of statistical data and produce this when require
- Comply with Trust Policies and the Data Protection Act in all respects, particularly in the protection and use of patient informatio
- Participate in clinical governance activities
Professional
- Attend regular ZZCYPS team meetings, staff development sessions and briefing
- Receive regular clinical supervision from an appropriately qualified and registered supervis
- Ensure that the Code of Ethics and Practice of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or, the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT) is adhered to
- Provide written assessment and progress reports for students on placement, as required by their Training Establishment and/or by Clinical Lead
- Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development by updating relevant skills and knowledge
- Adhere to the Trusts Equality and Diversity policy and related procedures
- Maintain professional accreditation and registratio
This job description outlines the current main responsibilities of the post. However, the duties of the post may change and develop over time and this job description may, therefore, be amended in consultation with the postholder.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualification in counselling or psychotherapy (post-graduateDiploma/MA or equivalent)
- Degree Level Study in psychology, counselling or psychotherapy (or related area)
- BACP or UKCP or BAPT Accreditation (or equivalent body)
- Training in a range of therapy/counselling approaches/interventions
Desirable
- CBT Training/Training in brief, time-limited interventions
Experience
Essential
- Post-qualifying experience of working in a counselling/psychotherapeutic field
- Experience of working with children and young people, including vulnerable children and young people
- Working with bereavement and loss
- Working with families
Desirable
- Facilitating groups
- Working with people affected by life limiting illness
Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent practitioner knowledge of psychotherapeutic / psychosocial interventions
- Good working knowledge of child protection legislation
- Sound knowledge of bereavement theory and trends
- Knowledge and understanding of the developmental, psychological and emotional needs of children and young people
- Knowledge & application of BACP/UKCP/BAPT code of ethics
Skills
Essential
- Understands the implications of service performance
- Recognises professional and corporate responsibility within the role
- Assessment skills including the ability to carry out risk assessments on young people and their families and identify plans to address concerns
- Able to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people
- Excellent written and verbal skills
- Excellent interpersonal and people management skills
- Good organisational skills including ability to give direction
- Able to work collaboratively with professionals from other disciplines, agencies and providers
- Act as a role model and consultant to others
- Awareness of confidentiality and data protection issues
- Good Computer skills
Desirable
- Able to develop and facilitate training/education sessions to other professionals
Other
Essential
- Ability to use initiative
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Commitment to the needs of children, young people and families
- Ability to prioritise and manage workload
- Evidence of being a reflective practitioner
- Able to identify own learning and support needs
- Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice
- Awareness of issues of equality and diversity
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualification in counselling or psychotherapy (post-graduateDiploma/MA or equivalent)
- Degree Level Study in psychology, counselling or psychotherapy (or related area)
- BACP or UKCP or BAPT Accreditation (or equivalent body)
- Training in a range of therapy/counselling approaches/interventions
Desirable
- CBT Training/Training in brief, time-limited interventions
Experience
Essential
- Post-qualifying experience of working in a counselling/psychotherapeutic field
- Experience of working with children and young people, including vulnerable children and young people
- Working with bereavement and loss
- Working with families
Desirable
- Facilitating groups
- Working with people affected by life limiting illness
Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent practitioner knowledge of psychotherapeutic / psychosocial interventions
- Good working knowledge of child protection legislation
- Sound knowledge of bereavement theory and trends
- Knowledge and understanding of the developmental, psychological and emotional needs of children and young people
- Knowledge & application of BACP/UKCP/BAPT code of ethics
Skills
Essential
- Understands the implications of service performance
- Recognises professional and corporate responsibility within the role
- Assessment skills including the ability to carry out risk assessments on young people and their families and identify plans to address concerns
- Able to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people
- Excellent written and verbal skills
- Excellent interpersonal and people management skills
- Good organisational skills including ability to give direction
- Able to work collaboratively with professionals from other disciplines, agencies and providers
- Act as a role model and consultant to others
- Awareness of confidentiality and data protection issues
- Good Computer skills
Desirable
- Able to develop and facilitate training/education sessions to other professionals
Other
Essential
- Ability to use initiative
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Commitment to the needs of children, young people and families
- Ability to prioritise and manage workload
- Evidence of being a reflective practitioner
- Able to identify own learning and support needs
- Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice
- Awareness of issues of equality and diversity
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
