Child & Family Therapist

Job Title: Full Time Child & Family Therapist

Full time (37.5 hours) £26,250 - £29,400

ABC is looking to appoint a full time Child & Family Therapist to join our team of qualified and experienced therapists. The successful applicant must have a passion for working with children, young people and families within local school, social care, community and multi-agency settings.

ABC's mission is to support children, young people and their families. We do this through our value base of integrity, kindness, dedication and accessibility for all.

Successful applicants must be enthusiastic, empathic, and committed in supporting and empowering children, young people and families. They will be qualified to minimum Diploma level therapy qualification and have a minimum of 200 face to face client hours. Applicants must be a member of a professional body, e.g. BACP, UKCP, PTUK, BAPT and will be either accredited or working towards accreditation.

A commitment to safeguarding, strength-based practice and empowerment are essential. Applicants will demonstrate the ability to engage with children, young people, families and professionals as well as have a good understanding of child development, attachment needs and the impact of trauma. Applicants will use a range of evidence-based interventions to measure the progress and impact of therapy.

CLOSING DATE: Tuesday 16th December 2025

INTERVIEW DATE: Friday 2nd January 2026

For an informal discussion, please contact Karen Lowe on

About ABC

ABC really values its team members and offers excellent training and development opportunities, 38 days annual leave pro rata, rising 1 day every 5 years of service alongside a 3% employer contributory pension scheme. ABC offers a life insurance scheme after one year's service. This post will be based in Billingham and the postholder will work across various locations in Tees Valley.

ABC is committed to promoting equal opportunities in our employment practice and service delivery. ABC follows safer recruitment of staff for all appointments and team members must be committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of clients.

Due to the nature of the duties of this role, an enhanced DBS disclosure and three satisfactory references will be sought in the event of a successful application and interview process.

Job Description

• Exercise autonomous professional responsibility to work professionally and safely with children and young people referred to ABC services
• Identify and report Safeguarding/Child Protection concerns to Line Manager at the earliest opportunity
• To adhere to ABC Safeguarding & Child Protection policy.
• Access supervision in line with professional standards set by the appropriate professional body.
• Support ABC volunteers and peer mentors in their role
• Accept and gate-keep referrals via agreed protocols
• Assess clients for suitability for counselling, play therapy and other psychological interventions.
• Formulate, implement and evaluate therapeutic interventions for children, young people and families.
• Utilise highly developed communication skills in working with children, young people, families and partner agencies in order to fully understand presenting issues pertaining to therapeutic need.
• Work collaboratively in achieving positive outcomes for children, young people and families, across a wide range of partners and supporting agencies.
• Produce informative formulation plans and progress reports that provide a professional standing for work and outcomes being achieved.
• Positively represent ABC at multi-agency meetings and forums.
• Meet all data protection and organisational requirements relating to the collection and use of sensitive data, including the secure usage and storage client and company Information.
• Keep clear and coherent records of all clinical activity in line with ethical practice standards.
• Work closely with ABC Directors and managers, ensuring appropriate feedback is given, or guidance is sought in order to deliver services to the best of our abilities.
• Successfully liaise with partner agencies to provide a 'team around the child/family' approach for children and young people.
• Adhere to the standards of practice according to ABC Counselling, Play Therapy & Family Solutions CIC, and the professional and accrediting bodies (e.g. BACP, UKCP, PTUK).
• Ensure that client confidentiality (within the limits of Safeguarding) is protected.
• Consider Gillick competence in maintaining client confidentiality where appropriate.
• Keep up to date with developments in the spheres of therapy to inform good practice.
• Attend regular line management/peer supervision meetings, ensuring clear professional objectives are met.
• Work in the best interests of children and young people, seeking guidance and support when necessary.
• Work safely with young people and families in therapeutic settings, making reasonable adjustments to maximise access and minimise risk to self and others
• Work across a wide range of therapeutic needs e.g. low, medium and complex, using supervision and support appropriately to reflect on casework and practice.
• Plan and deliver individual and group therapeutic activities that are inclusive and meaningful.
• Formulate and provide high quality written reports.
• Evidence and record therapy outcomes using recognised clinical and approved digital tools.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• A minimum Diploma level therapy qualification
• Membership of or registration with an appropriate professional body.

Desirable

• Additional child/young person focused qualification/training
• Accredited with BACP, UKCP, PTUK or another recognised professional organisation

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 200 face to face client hours.
• Experience of working therapeutically with children and young people and their families.
• Experience of providing therapeutic interventions
• Ability to assess and manage risk
• Willingness to work flexibly to meet the needs of both the service and children, young people and families
• Ability to work with an agreed caseload and manage agreed targets and performance measures
• Demonstrates an understanding of children and young people's mental health and child development
• Awareness of a range of therapeutic approaches.
• Demonstrates the effective use of clinical supervision
• Commitment to continuous professional development
• Solid understanding of Safeguarding policies and procedures and commitment to the safeguarding of children and young people
• Ability to effectively build and manage relationships with referrers and stakeholders both within schools and community settings
• Ability to contribute and support multi agency support plans to enable positive outcomes for children and their families.
• Positively promote ABC to children, families and other stakeholders
• Work collaboratively with children, young people and families
• Ability to develop professional therapeutic relationships with children, young people and families
• Excellent case recording, report writing and case presentation skills
• Demonstrates competency in using Microsoft Office
• Experience in using data base systems to record sessions and notes

Desirable

• Experience of delivering therapy in community and school settings
• Experience of using a range of evidenced based interventions including the use of Routine Outcome Measures.

Other requirements attributed to this role:

• Be person centred and non-judgemental, accepting and empathic in approach.
• At all times positively promote ABC to stakeholders
• Create a warm and safe environment for children, young people and families.
• Lead by example, modelling high standards of practice at all times.
• Take pride in, and celebrate children and families' successes, however great or small.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of best practice, being mindful of different approaches used across ABC.
• Embrace diversity and the strength this brings to the team and service
• Work as part of an inclusive team to get things done in the best way possible.
• Inspire others to be the best that they can be
• Able to travel to meet the requirements of the post

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £26,250.00-£29,400.00 per year

Language:

• English (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person