Therapeutic Practitioner

Post: Therapeutic Practitioner

Reports to: Service Manager

Location: Mount Lodge, Eastbourne, BN21 , East Sussex

Hours: 40 hours per week

Benefits: 33 days’ annual leave, pension, life assurance, an employee assistance programme, Cycle to Work Scheme

Salary: £24,960 per annum

Support clients in initiating and/or progressing their recovery journeys so that they can achieve more of their aspirations and potential in life. To assist the Service Manager in maintaining a therapeutic culture and programme by facilitating a range of therapeutic groups, delivering individual key work sessions and administrative duties including report writing. Practitioners are also expected to participate fully in training and supervision sessions.

Primary tasks

• To participate in the life of the service as a member of the community in line with CHT’s Psychologically Informed Environment model.
• To facilitate various groups within the community under the supervision of the Service Manager and Community Psychologist
• To co-produce clear and structured recovery, risk management and move-on plans with clients, working with the client both formally and informally towards their recovery goals
• To build supportive and therapeutic relationships with clients through dialogue
• To administer medication according to CHT’s policies and procedures
• Maintain excellent working relationships with Care Teams and Families

1 Therapeutic Practice

§ To participate in ensuring that the service runs in adherence to CHT’s model of service delivery.

§ To participate in all areas of community life, supporting clients both practically and emotionally in informal and formal settings

§ To facilitate various groups and meet with a number of clients individually for key work sessions

§ To aid clients in integrating into the community, both within the service and in the wider community

§ To promote high levels of client participation in service development and implementation

§ To attend review meetings for key work clients and prepare progress reports

§ To work with clients to develop and work towards their recovery plans

§ To encourage clients in engaging with activities within the service and within the wider community

§ To participate in formal reflective practice sessions run by the Community Psychologist

§ To participate in CHT’s internal training programme and periodic masterclasses

§ To administer and support clients with their medication in line with CHT’s procedures

§ To keep in mind the aspects of Safeguarding and work with an understanding of Mental Capacity and Dignity in line with CHT’s core framework

§ To promote equality and diversity in their practice

2 Administration

§ To share everyday administrative duties including writing up handovers, completing medication records, and various client focused reports

§ To take the lead on certain administrative roles as directed by the Service Manager such as Medication Management, Health and Safety and Petty Cash

§ To keep all written records up to date and clearly formulated

§ To provide regular reports of client progress using outcome measures under the direction of the Service Manager

§ To co-ordinate the collection and support in analysis of outcome measures

3 External Relations

§ Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with Care Teams and Families in support of the clients recovery and in line with their wishes

§ Organise regular meetings with Care Teams to discuss client progress and present outcome results

§ To develop links in the wider community to support clients in engaging in meaningful activities such as leisure, employment or education

• Comply with CHT’s Equal Opportunities Policy, Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct and other policies and procedures
• Act in the best interests of CHT and its clients, and to promote CHT’s values and value in all conversations and situations
• To take part in various duties appropriate to being a member of the CHT Staff Team
• Undertake training and professional development appropriate to the role, and in agreement with the Chief Executive
• To take part in regular meetings, supervisions and appraisals

Essential:

Experience

• Experience of working with or lived experience of complex mental health conditions
• Experience of working within or lived experience of a recovery orientated approach to supporting adults with complex presentations

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Understanding of the recovery approach
• Understand the support requirements of people with mental health and other associated conditions.
• Ability to establish an effective working relationship with clients which is attachment centred and based on the Recovery approach including the skills for comprehensive assessment and action planning.
• Have good interpersonal skills including active listening, clear and thorough information sharing and good verbal communication skills.
• Ability to respond appropriately and effectively and de-escalate situations when faced with challenging or violent behaviour.
• Good written, numeracy and administrative skills e.g.: ability to accurately and competently record comprehensive assessments, action plans and letters.
• An awareness and understanding of Health & Safety issues related to working in a residential service
• Knowledge and understanding of the statutory and voluntary services within mental health
• The ability to initiate and maintain constructive and appropriate relations with clients and external agencies

General

• Have a positive and compassionate attitude to working with those with complex mental health conditions as well as a belief and commitment to recovery
• Able to demonstrate a willingness to engage in CPD
• Commitment to working within a recovery / psychologically informed framework
• An understanding of and commitment to diversity & equality
• Willingness and ability to work shifts including evenings, weekends bank holidays including Christmas Eve/ Day and New Years Eve/ Day
• Willingness to work flexibly in response to changing organisational requirements.

Desirable

• Certificate in counselling skills or other similar and relevant qualification or experience of engaging in own psychological therapy