Child Therapist/ Counsellor

**Key responsibilities will be**: To work effectively and collaboratively to ensure the successful operation of therapeutic provision within the service. This involves working at different locations to provide interventions to children and young people. To be a part of a multi-disciplinary assessment (MDA) team. To facilitate psychological and risk assessments to aid the development of client/family formulations and care pathways.

Support children to discuss and work through highly complex, sensitive and personal information related to their presentation. This will include deconstruction of current interactional patterns of behaviour and meaning around obesity issues and complex relationships, creating methods for client centred analysis of change, aided by the use of assessment tools. To prepare and participate in peer supervisions and case reviews with other therapists regularly across the organisation. Maintain accurate and detailed case notes and client records utilising digital systems and databases.

To attend team meetings and contribute to agendas and discussions. Prepare fully in accordance with service for Multi-Disciplinary Team Meetings (MDT) and complete relevant paperwork (such as MDT proformas), updating client records as appropriate. To provide effective individual child interventions, with the aim of helping clients prepare to engage in the specialist weight management programme and/or physical activity interventions. To provide systemic child therapy, employing methods based upon evidence.

To work in ways which are sensitive to and appropriate for the needs of children from a wide range of racial, cultural and religious backgrounds. To contribute knowledge, skills and ideas with the aim of optimising the outcomes of the specialist weight management programme and/or physical activity interventions within the limits of ones trained role capacity and competency. To participate in multiagency meetings as appropriate, child protection case conferences and reviews, etc. providing professional advice on individual care programme planning and other clinical matters as necessary.

The post holder will be expected to prioritise own workload and ensure effective time management strategies are embedded in own practice and that of others. To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients/service users in your care. To undertake self-directed/lone working in a variety of locations. To read relevant current literature and stay up-to-date with developments and initiatives in psychological and family therapy for obesity treatment.

To have suitable external supervision arrangements with a qualified approved supervisor. Skills and Competencies Required Be an experienced therapist in a community health environment, assisting and delivering support to children and young people. Experience of working with diverse communities within varied cultural environments Adept in communication; A strong communicator who adapts the message to fit the needs of the audience. Quality driven; you naturally seek high standards and actively seek to improve them.

Value and remain open to new ideas and perspectives.