FAMILY THERAPIST/SYSTEMIC FAMILY THERAPIST

(Trainee Family Systemic Therapist also will be considered)

Part Time Posts (minimum 22.5 hours) up to and including Full Time (37.5 hours) would be considered for permanent positions based across our Community in East Kent – Head Office - Dover

Salary Range - £25,000 - £38,000 per annum (Pro-Rata if part time) – salary is dependent on qualifications & experience)

Due to a recent restructure within our Therapy Department, we currently have some exciting opportunities for experienced, innovative and enthusiastic Family Therapist/Systemic Family Therapists to join our Therapy Team within Channels & Choices Therapeutic Community.
Channels & Choices is a centre of excellence in therapeutic child care. Our community, based in East Kent, is made up of 6 therapeutic residential children’s homes, a school and a therapeutic fostering service. As a member of our community you would play a key part in transforming children’s lives and helping them reach their full potential.
Our unique and innovative ‘stepping stone’ placements have become our specialty placements for Local Authorities, and placing Social Workers. These placements are: shorter term, outcome focused pieces of work within our group living residential homes. They then move through to a therapeutic foster placement with one of our therapeutic foster carers. We create a secure base for the child within the group living homes through the development of meaningful relationships, and stabilising their behaviour.
These are exciting times as Channels & Choices continues to expand and develop its Residential and Fostering Service and we are looking for someone to join our dynamic multi-disciplined staff team who has a passion for promoting outstanding outcomes for young people in our care.
We have a strong commitment to staff development and there will be considerable opportunities for internal and external training and for sharing good practice within the community.
Channels and Choices are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the young people in our care. Staff are all required to adhere to the organisation’s Safeguarding Policies and Procedures. This post will be subject to a clear Enhanced DBS Disclosure, an employment background check, satisfactory references & verification of a right to work in the UK.
As part of our commitment to Safer Recruitment, CV’s cannot be considered without a completed application form.
For more information and to submit your job application form, please visit our website:-wwwchannelsandchoices.co.uk



JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Family Therapist/Systemic Family Therapist
RESPONSIBLE TO: Therapy Lead
KEY RELATIONSHIPS: Internal:
Children & Young People
Company Directors
Therapy Team
Residential Home staff team
Fostering Team
Foster Carers
School staff

External:
Local Authority Social Workers
CAHMS
Parents & Families


Key Responsibilities
• Part of a community team working alongside our Therapy Lead and Systemic Family Psychotherapist, continuing to develop the Therapeutic and Systemic provision within the organisation;
• Working in partnership with colleagues from across the community to develop a therapeutic understanding by providing direct advice and support to children, residential staff and foster carers;
• To provide therapeutic interventions, including family work, individual work with children, group work;
• Supporting professionals within the community on how to communicate and develop strategies with traumatised children in order to reduce challenging behaviours and help build adult/child attachments;
• Working closely with the Therapy Leads to produce professional, comprehensive assessments and regular reports for internal and external colleagues;
• Making effective use of supervision, support, training and guidance;
• Provide therapeutic interventions giving due regard and consideration to issues of racial, religious, cultural and sexual orientation
• Kowledge of the latest research, theory and literature to support evidence based practice
• To be part of regular discussions and reviews of children’s care and support with other members of the community
• Maintain an up to date knowledge of the latest research and theories alongside relevant legislation and safeguarding policies and procedures




Person Specification
Family Therapist/Systemic Family Therapist

ESSENTIAL

QUALIFICATIONS
Relevant Qualification:- such as:
Social Work Degree
Counselling Diploma
Systemic Diploma
Psychology Degree
Psychotherapist

DESIRABLE

Studying at MSc Level - Systemic

EXPERIENCE
Essential
At least 2 years’ experience of working therapeutically with children and their families
Working with children who are in the care system, their families and/or foster carers

Desirable
Working therapeutically with foster carers

SKILLS & ABILITIES
Essential
Excellent verbal , communication and interpersonal skills in order to communicate effectively with carers, children, families and colleagues

Ability to work effectively on own initiative as well as within a team

Ability to build relationships and promote change

Computer literate for report and assessment writing

Desirable
Ability to facilitate or develop training courses

KNOWLEDGE

Essential
Good understanding of child development

Understanding of Child Protection & Safeguarding

Desirable
Understanding of attachment from a psychodynamic and systemic perspective

Working knowledge of the Systemic Family Therapy Model

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Essential
Commitment to continued professional and personal development

Professional credibility

Commitment to equal opportunities and valuing diversity

Demonstrate a commitment to supervision and reflective practice


ADDITIONAL Driver with use of own car