Specialist Therapist - CYPF Team

Alliance Psychological Services Limited

The closing date is 06 May 2025

Job summary

Alliance is a leading local childrens mental health provider delivering psychological support and emotional well-being services in a range of educational settings, including the implementation and roll out of Mental Health Support Teams in Schools. We do this by developing a whole school approach to improving childrens mental health and wellbeing, the delivery of evidenced based interventions to children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties, giving timely advice to schools and liaising with specialist services. We also provide psychological therapies to children and families with multiple and complex needs, supporting Local Authorities in delivering specialist and targeted services to children, young people and their families. Through the Children and Young Peoples Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (CYP IAPT) Programme our service transformation is through delivery of evidence-based therapies, use of routine outcome measures and in full collaboration with children, young people and families.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking a Specialist Therapist to join our friendly team.The role will involve offering consultation, assessment and psychotherapeutic counselling to children, young people and their families (CYPF) who have experienced complex trauma. To work with parents and carers and professionals to develop their understanding of developmental and attachment-based trauma, improving outcomes and support for affected children.

You must have right to work in the UK as we are currently unable to offer working visa opportunities.

For more information on this post please contact us on

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, life insurance 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, part of this is to follow safer recruitment of staff for all appointments. It is also a requirement that all staff understand it is each persons 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.

Date posted

17 April 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£29,500 to £33,000 a year pro rata to hours worked

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

E0163-25-0006

Job locations

Alliance Psychological Services Ltd

24 Yarm Road

Stockton-on-tees

Cleveland

TS18 3NA

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Undertake highly skilled assessments of clinical need, including risk assessments, considering childrens developmental, attachment, trauma and cultural needs.

Working to a clear clinical plan, provide outcomes-focused trauma and attachment therapy with children and families who have experienced trauma.

To work within the principles of CYP IAPT ensuring the appropriate use of routine outcome monitoring tools

To explore and evaluate clinical treatment using evidence based evaluation tools, contributing to evidence-based practice.

In conjunction with the Team Manager and Counselling Lead, to take part in triage work for the service, helping to ensure appropriate referrals into, and out of, the service. To explore hypotheses and agree appropriate therapy interventions as part of wider triage work, in discussion with the wider team and external partners through weekly multi agency huddles.

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 work with the Team Manager and Counselling Lead in helping to promote and develop our service links with affected families and partner agencies.

Ensure that the needs and views of children young people are at the heart of everything we do: offering holistic and child-centred interventions which are appropriate to their clinical needs, including referrals into other services as appropriate.

To operate within the Service Referral to Discharge Protocols

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.

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 promoting the welfare of children & young people at all times and operating within local policies and procedures.

Taking appropriate safeguarding action to protect children & young people at risk of significant harm.

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.

Organisational Responsibilities:

Values and behaviours

To demonstrate and be a role model for Alliances values, to promote and encourage positive behaviours, enhancing the quality and integrity of the services we provide.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

To take responsibility for health, safety, and wellbeing in accordance with Alliances policies and procedures.

Equality and diversity

To promote a society that gives everyone an equal chance to work and live free from discrimination and prejudice.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Undertake highly skilled assessments of clinical need, including risk assessments, considering childrens developmental, attachment, trauma and cultural needs.

Working to a clear clinical plan, provide outcomes-focused trauma and attachment therapy with children and families who have experienced trauma.

To work within the principles of CYP IAPT ensuring the appropriate use of routine outcome monitoring tools

To explore and evaluate clinical treatment using evidence based evaluation tools, contributing to evidence-based practice.

In conjunction with the Team Manager and Counselling Lead, to take part in triage work for the service, helping to ensure appropriate referrals into, and out of, the service. To explore hypotheses and agree appropriate therapy interventions as part of wider triage work, in discussion with the wider team and external partners through weekly multi agency huddles.

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 work with the Team Manager and Counselling Lead in helping to promote and develop our service links with affected families and partner agencies.

Ensure that the needs and views of children young people are at the heart of everything we do: offering holistic and child-centred interventions which are appropriate to their clinical needs, including referrals into other services as appropriate.

To operate within the Service Referral to Discharge Protocols

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.

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 promoting the welfare of children & young people at all times and operating within local policies and procedures.

Taking appropriate safeguarding action to protect children & young people at risk of significant harm.

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.

Organisational Responsibilities:

Values and behaviours

To demonstrate and be a role model for Alliances values, to promote and encourage positive behaviours, enhancing the quality and integrity of the services we provide.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

To take responsibility for health, safety, and wellbeing in accordance with Alliances policies and procedures.

Equality and diversity

To promote a society that gives everyone an equal chance to work and live free from discrimination and prejudice.

Person Specification

Skills and Competencies

Essential

Ability to communicate effectively with children, families and professionals and work in partnership to agree therapy goals.
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.
Excellent written and oral presentation skills, with ability to keep concise and accurate records and produce informative well written reports.

Desirable

Skills and knowledge in systemic practice and theory. Ability to apply systemic thinking to clinical assessment

Personal Qualities

Essential

Self-motivated
Team player
Excellent time management and organisational skills

Specific Attributes

Essential

Full, enhanced, and current satisfactory DBS disclosure for the role
Able to travel to meet the requirements of the post access to a car.
Proven commitment to continuous professional development

Qualifications

Essential

A recognised professional qualification in psychotherapy or psychotherapeutic 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 (e.g. UKCP, AFT, ACP, BACP, BAAT, HCPC, BADth, BAPT etc). Accredited within specific therapy modality, or actively working towards this.

Desirable

Specialist skills or training in specific trauma or attachment therapies (e.g. EMDR, TF-CBT, Theraplay, DDP etc)

Experience

Essential

A minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience as a child & adolescent psychotherapeutic counsellor/ psychotherapist working with children, young people, and families effected by trauma/bereavement.
Demonstrable experience of providing outcomes focused therapy to children, young people and their families.
Experience of sharing knowledge and skills with colleagues and other professionals.
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

Specialist training or experience in providing therapy using a trauma focussed approach to assessment and treatment planning.

Knowledge

Essential

Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in children and young people.
A good understanding of theories of child development and attachment
Knowledge of educational environments
Knowledge of safeguarding issues
Knowledge of capacity and consent issues including Gillick competence
Knowledge CYP-IPAT principles and I-Thrive Framework
Extensive knowledge of person-centred therapeutic theory, practice, and interventions with CYPF

Person Specification

Skills and Competencies

Essential

Ability to communicate effectively with children, families and professionals and work in partnership to agree therapy goals.
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.
Excellent written and oral presentation skills, with ability to keep concise and accurate records and produce informative well written reports.

Desirable

Skills and knowledge in systemic practice and theory. Ability to apply systemic thinking to clinical assessment

Personal Qualities

Essential

Self-motivated
Team player
Excellent time management and organisational skills

Specific Attributes

Essential

Full, enhanced, and current satisfactory DBS disclosure for the role
Able to travel to meet the requirements of the post access to a car.
Proven commitment to continuous professional development

Qualifications

Essential

A recognised professional qualification in psychotherapy or psychotherapeutic 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 (e.g. UKCP, AFT, ACP, BACP, BAAT, HCPC, BADth, BAPT etc). Accredited within specific therapy modality, or actively working towards this.

Desirable

Specialist skills or training in specific trauma or attachment therapies (e.g. EMDR, TF-CBT, Theraplay, DDP etc)

Experience

Essential

A minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience as a child & adolescent psychotherapeutic counsellor/ psychotherapist working with children, young people, and families effected by trauma/bereavement.
Demonstrable experience of providing outcomes focused therapy to children, young people and their families.
Experience of sharing knowledge and skills with colleagues and other professionals.
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

Specialist training or experience in providing therapy using a trauma focussed approach to assessment and treatment planning.

Knowledge

Essential

Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in children and young people.
A good understanding of theories of child development and attachment
Knowledge of educational environments
Knowledge of safeguarding issues
Knowledge of capacity and consent issues including Gillick competence
Knowledge CYP-IPAT principles and I-Thrive Framework
Extensive knowledge of person-centred therapeutic theory, practice, and interventions with CYPF

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.