Fostering Therapeutic Practitioner

Compass Community is an independent therapeutic agency caring, educating and supporting nearly 2,000 children and young people through Fostering, Residential Homes and Education. We pride ourselves on attending to the social, emotional, cognitive and sensorial needs of all our young people.

Therapeutic Services at Compass has an embedded record of successful evidence of our Assessing and Healing Complex Trauma (AHCT) approach which has already made a difference to the lives of hundreds of young people.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Therapeutic Practitioner, whose professional background and training are underpinned by theories of working with trauma, attachment and loss. You will have a good working knowledge of supporting children and young people in the Care sector.

You will ideally be based in West Sussex.

**About the role**
- You will be a key participant in the Assessing and Healing components for helping traumatised young people.
- As the Therapeutic Practitioner you will be part of the multi-disciplinary Therapeutic Service and will work directly with the Fostering Service.
- The successful applicant will receive specialist training in our AHCT approach which you will then be promoting. We have several Fostering regions across the country where we are seeking to develop the AHCT approach; You will have the opportunity to discuss and reflect on your work with your colleagues in other regions, helping to develop and maintain the therapeutic ethos between them all. This may involve some flexible working hours.
- You will be training staff and foster carers in therapeutic ideologies, developing therapeutic understanding and running Therapeutic Healing groups.
- You will enable staff and carers to recognise the destructive elements that trauma plays on child development, promoting a philosophy of therapeutic understanding from within our Children’s services.
- You will support the organisation in ensuring that the service is run in line with the Government Legislation, Regulations and Standards, together with the Inspecting Body. You will represent Compass Fostering Vision and Values,

**Why work for Compass Therapeutic Services?**
- **Career Progression** - As Therapeutic Services is continuing to expand there are strong career pathways both within our team and within the wider Compass organisation.
- **Individual & Peer group supervision** - therapeutic & clinical supporting your CPD growth.
- **Wellbeing** - Access to confidential therapeutic wellbeing sessions within our Therapeutic Services team.
- **Engagement conferences** - Two per year with the national Therapeutic Services team to continue to develop your theoretical knowledge and sense of belonging. Accommodation & DBB provided.
- **Awards** - The chance to win up to £150 in vouchers every month from our company REACH Awards and monthly vouchers within Therapeutic Services.
- **Medicash** - Receive cashback for various medical and wellbeing appointments and treatments with our MediCash scheme.
- **Annual leave** - 25 days annual leave, rising to 28 days within 4 years, plus all bank holidays.
- **Extra leave** - An additional 2.5 days each year for your birthday, a health and wellbeing day and a half-day festive shopping day.
- **Bonuses**:

- Receive £200 (2 years), £400 (5 years) and £600 (10 years) service awards, plus up to £500 special recognition award for outstanding practice.
- **Recommendation scheme** - Earn up to £3,250 by recommending a foster carer or up to £1,000 by recommending a full-time staff member.

**Requirements**:

- Minimum two years experience of working with children in the Child in Care Sector.
- Good leadership and training skills.
- Strong understanding of Attachment and Loss.
- Evidence of Therapeutic Training/Qualifications.
- Psychological/counselling courses attended is desirable.
- Active, energetic, creative, outgoing yet empathic character.
- Good Communicator and Fluent English speaking.
- Full driving licence.
- Experience of group work with young people desirable.
- Experience of assessment in intervention.
- Evidence of literary ability to Level 5/A level standard.
- Understanding responsibilities in protecting their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of their colleagues and others.

Compass is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As we continue to grow, we know that we must have the most talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our children and young people.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: £24,500.00-£35,000.00 per year

**Experience**:

- working with children in the looked after sector: 2 years (required)
- therapy: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

- Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: In person