Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

• Demonstrates understanding of a range of therapeutic models.
• Demonstrates understanding of working with children and young people who require or would benefit from emotional/trauma related psychotherapeutic counselling support.
• Qualified and experienced to deliver Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) to a Level 2 standard (or working towards).
• To provide, under supervision, assessment, including risk assessment, of children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
• To support management of the waiting list playing a proactive role in prioritisation, assessment, and signposting.
• To select and deliver a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions for children, young people and families experiencing mild to moderate or moderate to severe mental health difficulties delivered in collaboration with the child, young person and family.
• 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 children, young people and families to develop effective treatment plans and agreed outcomes.
• To operate within the Service Referral to Discharge Protocols.
• Through close case management and supervision, escalate cases where the level of need becomes beyond scope, or more severe ensuring adherence to other relevant element of service delivery.
• Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the overall number of children and young people contacts offered, and sessions carried out per week to improve timely access and minimise waiting times.
• Make reasonable adjustments to interventions to support engagement e.g. modifying language for CYP with autism, holding shorter sessions for CYP with ADHD or printing on green paper for individuals with dyslexia
• As appropriate, assist in the development and production of resources for the benefit of children and young people.
• Take part in the delivery of training (as appropriate), consultation with and guidance to, others, pertaining to the level of development.

• Receive clinical supervision and case management in relation to clinical work to meet the required standards.
• Prepare and present case load information to supervisors and case managers within the service on an agreed and scheduled basis, to ensure safe practice and the governance obligations of the trainee, supervisor and service are delivered.
• Respond to and implement supervision suggestions by supervisors in practice.
• Work within the boundaries of service delivery and support to meet the requirements of the service needs.
• Engage in and respond to personal development supervision to improve competencies and practice

• Be responsible for safeguarding children and promoting their welfare, operating within local policies and procedures.
• Under guidance and support take appropriate safeguarding action to protect children and young people at risk of significant harm.
• Ensure that consent is obtained and verified before sharing information, except in safeguarding situations.
• Under guidance and supervision identify and support families in accessing Early Help Services.

• To maintain appropriate clinical notes and records on IAPTUS
• Use of service ROMS in line with standard operating procedures
• To undertake relevant Continuing Professional Development as required for the purposes of continued professional accreditation or registration and as identified through professional development and Appraisal system.
• Contribute to the setting of targets and action plans to assist with service development.
• Encourage children and young people to be involved in the monitoring, evaluation, and development of the service.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Headteachers, Deputy Heads, SENCOs, Pastoral Teams, and other school staff, providing advice and consultation.
• Liaise effectively with other local statutory, voluntary, and third-sector providers to build effective relationships and support the development of pathways.
• Present the service and its users in a professional manner and represent the service at inter-agency meetings.
• Liaise with other staff and agencies to further meet the needs of children and young people.
• Work with families involved with social care, liaising closely with Social Workers and other professionals.

• Mapping/updating of existing local services for signposting and review/update existing service directory. Continue to welcome spotlight sessions for external providers during whole team meetings or attend their team meetings.
• Engage caseload to increase effective stakeholder participation in service design and delivery and increase attendance at participation events/groups.
• Regular promotion and marketing of childrens mental health, prevention and early intervention linking in with local/national campaigns

• *The work The Link carries out within the social sector is very much a social approach, therefore to ensure safe working practises our organisation works hard to continuously monitor and review our delivery model and ensures our workers have a protected caseload at all times **

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Great salaries with annual increase (subject to funding)
• Competitive pension scheme with generous employer contributions
• Additional Sick Pay scheme
• Continued professional development
• Additional length of service awards
• Access to a wellness programme including 24 hour advice and support
• Access to face to face, online and telephone counselling
• Protected caseload
• Blue Light Card, giving you access to thousands of exclusive discounts across high street brands, restaurants, and travel

Essential

• Post qualification experience as a practicing psychotherapy
• Experience of working therapeutically with children and young people
• Experience of working within a childrens mental health service

Desirable

• Experience in delivering DDP
• Demonstrates an understanding of the service, including referral pathways and criteria for access
• Experience of working within educational establishments

Essential

• Holds a recognised qualification in psychotherapy (Masters level)
• Holds a recognised membership of a relevant professional body (i.e. HCPC/BACP/BABCP/BAAT/UKCP/BPS)
• Working towards accreditation

Desirable

• DDP L2 Trained
• Holds a Psychology or other Health/social care/youth related undergraduate degree
• Is accredited with a relevant professional body (i.e. HCPC/BACP/BABCP/BAAT/UKCP/BPS)