Job summary
Welcome to Alliance Psychological Services, where 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 well-being. 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 everything we do, striving to excel in mental health provision.
At Alliance, 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 Authority's, 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.
Main duties of the job
We are looking to recruit a Counselling Psychological Therapist to join the team.
This is an amazing opportunity for a qualified counsellor to join our team of experienced psychological therapists, delivering, with clinical supervision, high-quality mental health interventions to children and young people in schools and other educational settings.
Full time and Part Time positions available. Please specify on your application how many hours you are looking to work.
Our head office is in Stockton-on-Tees, however the post holder will be expected to travel to multiple work locations across Teesside, so access to a car is required as some locations cannot be easily accessed via bus routes.
This is an exciting time to be part of our Children, Young People and Families Team, as children's mental health has become a national, regional, and local priority. We aim to foster greater collaboration across Tees Valley with other leading partners, such as TEWV CAMHS, Education, Local Authoritys and the VCSE, to ensure collective success in our endeavours. Join us in making a significant impact in the lives of children and their mental health and well-being.
*Previous applicants need not reapply. *
Closing Date: 18th October 2023
Interview Date: TBC from 24th October 2023 onwards
You must have right to work in the UK as we are currently unable to offer working visa opportunities.
About us
To arrange an informal chat about the post, please contact Kaye Hooker via telephone on 01642 352747 or via email CYPFamilies@alliancepsychology.com
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 Life assurance, additional leave and lots of health and wellbeing initiatives for our staff, promoting flexible working for a positive work life balance.
We are 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 committed to the National Living Wage.
Alliance Psychological Services follows safer recruitment of staff for all appointments. It is a requirement that all staff understand it is each persons individual responsibility and are committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of clients. Please note that due to the nature of the duties of these roles, an enhanced criminal records disclosure will be soughtinthe event of a successful application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Therapeutic practice
- To create and maintain effective working relationships with Headteachers, Deputy Heads, SENCOs, Pastoral Team and wider teaching staff by providing advice and consultative support on emotional and mental health issues, and in relation to appropriate referral pathways for children, young people and families with mental health needs.
- To provide assessment, including risk assessment, of children and young people and families referred for psychological therapy.
- To work within the principles of CYP IAPT ensuring the appropriate use of routine outcome monitoring tools
- To make use of referral pathways following assessment for children, young people, and families requiring other services, including statutory and voluntary agencies
- To explore and evaluate clinical treatment using evaluation tools, contributing to evidence-based practice.
- Working in collaboration to support children, young people, and families in the self-management of presenting difficulties.
- Working in collaboration with families to develop effective treatment plans and agreed outcomes.
- To operate within the Service Referral to Discharge Protocols
- Attend multi-disciplinary and multi-agency meetings relating to referrals for children, young people, and families in treatment.
- Keep coherent records of all training and clinical activity in line with Alliances service protocols and use these records and outcome data to inform decision making.
Partnership Working
- To work in partnership with other childrens mental health providers including CaMHS, developing and improving pathways for support.
- To liaise effectively with other local providers, including statutory and voluntary organisations and advocate on behalf of the family where appropriate.
Safeguarding
- Responsible for safeguarding children and always promoting the welfare of children & young people and operating within local policies and procedures.
- Taking appropriate safeguarding action to protect children & young people at risk of significant harm.
- To identify and support families in accessing Early Help Services
- 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.
A professional and ethical service
- To maintain appropriate clinical notes and records on PCMIS 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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Therapeutic practice
- To create and maintain effective working relationships with Headteachers, Deputy Heads, SENCOs, Pastoral Team and wider teaching staff by providing advice and consultative support on emotional and mental health issues, and in relation to appropriate referral pathways for children, young people and families with mental health needs.
- To provide assessment, including risk assessment, of children and young people and families referred for psychological therapy.
- To work within the principles of CYP IAPT ensuring the appropriate use of routine outcome monitoring tools
- To make use of referral pathways following assessment for children, young people, and families requiring other services, including statutory and voluntary agencies
- To explore and evaluate clinical treatment using evaluation tools, contributing to evidence-based practice.
- Working in collaboration to support children, young people, and families in the self-management of presenting difficulties.
- Working in collaboration with families to develop effective treatment plans and agreed outcomes.
- To operate within the Service Referral to Discharge Protocols
- Attend multi-disciplinary and multi-agency meetings relating to referrals for children, young people, and families in treatment.
- Keep coherent records of all training and clinical activity in line with Alliances service protocols and use these records and outcome data to inform decision making.
Partnership Working
- To work in partnership with other childrens mental health providers including CaMHS, developing and improving pathways for support.
- To liaise effectively with other local providers, including statutory and voluntary organisations and advocate on behalf of the family where appropriate.
Safeguarding
- Responsible for safeguarding children and always promoting the welfare of children & young people and operating within local policies and procedures.
- Taking appropriate safeguarding action to protect children & young people at risk of significant harm.
- To identify and support families in accessing Early Help Services
- 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.
A professional and ethical service
- To maintain appropriate clinical notes and records on PCMIS 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
Qualifications
Essential
- A Diploma in Psychotherapy/Counselling or counselling psychology or recognised training / qualification in a major psychological therapy approach.
- Membership of or registration with an appropriate professional body.
Desirable
- Any additional child/young person focused qualification/training
- Accredited with BACP, BABCP, BAAT, UKCP, BPS or another recognised professional organisation
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working therapeutically with children and young people and their families.
- Experience of providing therapeutic interventions within educational settings
- Demonstrates an ability to assess and manage risk
- Shows a willingness to work flexibly to meet the needs of both the service and children, young people and families
- Ability to work with an agreed caseload and manage agreed targets and performance measures
- Demonstrates an understanding of childrens mental health
- Awareness of a range of therapeutic approaches.
- Demonstrates the effective use of clinical supervision
- Shows responsibility for continuous professional development
- A clear understanding of LSCB policies and procedures and commitment to the safeguarding of children and young people
- Demonstrates an ability to effectively build and manage relationships with referrers both within schools and community
- Demonstrate an ability to contribute and support multi agency support 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
Desirable
- Experience of working in a mental healthcare setting
- Experience of using a range of evidenced based interventions including the use of Routine Outcome Measures.
Other Skills and Qualities
Essential
- Ability to work within a dynamic and developing service
- Demonstration of self-motivation and motivation of others
- Ability to work confidently and competently under pressure
- Able to travel to meet the requirements of the post.
- Effective communication skills, both verbal and written and the ability to understand and respond to requirements of different audiences
- Shares information, skills and practice when required
- Excellent case recording, report writing and case presentation skills
- Demonstrates competency in using Microsoft Office
- Experience in using data base systems to record sessions and notes
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A Diploma in Psychotherapy/Counselling or counselling psychology or recognised training / qualification in a major psychological therapy approach.
- Membership of or registration with an appropriate professional body.
Desirable
- Any additional child/young person focused qualification/training
- Accredited with BACP, BABCP, BAAT, UKCP, BPS or another recognised professional organisation
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working therapeutically with children and young people and their families.
- Experience of providing therapeutic interventions within educational settings
- Demonstrates an ability to assess and manage risk
- Shows a willingness to work flexibly to meet the needs of both the service and children, young people and families
- Ability to work with an agreed caseload and manage agreed targets and performance measures
- Demonstrates an understanding of childrens mental health
- Awareness of a range of therapeutic approaches.
- Demonstrates the effective use of clinical supervision
- Shows responsibility for continuous professional development
- A clear understanding of LSCB policies and procedures and commitment to the safeguarding of children and young people
- Demonstrates an ability to effectively build and manage relationships with referrers both within schools and community
- Demonstrate an ability to contribute and support multi agency support 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
Desirable
- Experience of working in a mental healthcare setting
- Experience of using a range of evidenced based interventions including the use of Routine Outcome Measures.
Other Skills and Qualities
Essential
- Ability to work within a dynamic and developing service
- Demonstration of self-motivation and motivation of others
- Ability to work confidently and competently under pressure
- Able to travel to meet the requirements of the post.
- Effective communication skills, both verbal and written and the ability to understand and respond to requirements of different audiences
- Shares information, skills and practice when required
- Excellent case recording, report writing and case presentation skills
- Demonstrates competency in using Microsoft Office
- Experience in using data base systems to record sessions and notes
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.
