Animal / Equine Assisted Therapist (Registered

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced therapist who understands the complexities of children and young people's needs and the meaningful input equine and other animals can have in our personal development and recovery. Actual animal or horse experience is not essential, however this would be strongly beneficial.

We are looking for someone experienced in working with children and young people with a variety of emotional, social and behavioural difficulties, including additional needs.

Weekends only have a very small team, so this role involves partial sole working with clients, (with colleagues at other parts of the farm).

The post role will include contributing to a whole range of therapeutic activities, with a focus on providing therapy and undertake assessments of children and young people, and will also include facilitating therapeutic goal focused groups. As we have not had a weekend therapist for a while, it is an opportunity to 're-invent' the role, and use ideas and initiatives to meet needs of children and young people. We would particularly value experience in utilising a range of professional evidence based initiatives that can be incorporated into current practice.

At weekends you may see adults, smaller children, families and other groups. Monday to Friday we see children and young people only. We welcome applicants who want to work one weekend day a week, in addition to applicants who may be looking for further days in the week.

The JD is outlined below:
**Job Requirement**

The role holder will provide a full range of therapy services, including utilising Equine and/or Animal Assisted Therapy, working with a varied client base of children and young people (training on integration of animals can be provided, previous animal/horse experience is not essential).

The role holder will assess, evaluate and provide appropriate therapeutic goal orientated intervention, incorporating animals (horses or other animals) to clients, in order to support the client to progress therapeutic goals. The role holder will also provide clinic supervision where appropriate and clinical oversight of children and young people who come to the provision.

**Skills**

**Experience and Qualification**
- Professional registration with a national body essential (EHCP, BACP, UKCP etc)
- Degree in a relevant field such as Art or Play Therapy/Occupational Therapy/Social Work/Psychology and/or other relevant field with added practice experience or post qualifying training
- At least 3 years post graduate work experience with clients providing counselling or therapeutic intervention
- Experience of working with mental health.
- Qualified to use a range of clinical assessment tools is essential.
- Qualifications and experience in AAT or Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is desirable
- Membership or certification from international or nationally recognised qualification in the area of AAT/EAP such as EAGALA or Path International or other international professional body will be highly regarded.
- Experience in delivering psycho education workshops incorporating animals will be an added advantage.
- Supervision training and experience essential.

**Additional Skills**
- Ability to project a positive public image of self and the organisation whilst exhibiting a culture of outstanding service and high ethical standards.
- Excellent communication skills and fluency in spoken and written English is essential
- Capable of establishing and maintaining constructive interpersonal relationships within the organisation.
- Demonstrated experience of working within a multi-disciplinary and diverse environment.

**Overview of role**
- Oversight of therapeutic goals for each child or young person on case load
- Manage an individual case load whilst delivering therapeutic assessment and treatment to clients
- Provide assessment of new clients, and formulate and provide therapeutic goals centred treatment plans for clients
- Maintain any records necessary for the evaluation of service needs and efficiency and ensure that documentation is clear, accurate and in compliance with legal requirements.
- Undertake research relevant to the assessment of patients need and the development and evaluation of interventions when needed.
- Maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality at all times.
- Prepare delivery structure for Animal Assisted Therapy groups and workshops.
- Where appropriate, provide coaching and training for students, junior or new staff.
- Where appropriate provide supervision of others with clinical responsibilities to ensure our clinical practice remains at the highest possible standard.
- Oversee and undertake general liaison with clients, client carers/parents and relevant professionals in the organisation of session, session planning and treatment plans.
- Provide organisational reporting with evaluation and outcome data.
- Contribute to the overall promotion activities of the organisation.
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