Psychological Therapist

**JOB DESCRIPTION**

**Job Title**:
**Psychological Therapist / Specialist Counsellor for children and young people**

**Band**:
**6**

**Responsible To**:
**Band 7 Psychological Childrens therapist**

**Accountable To**:
**SARC General Manager**

**Section/Department/Directorate**:
**Special Services**

**Job Purpose**

The post holder will provide a highly specialist therapeutic service to children who are referred to SARC following sexual abuse or assault.

Professionally they will work in a non-judgemental service and within the ethical framework of their professional / registering body (e.g. HPCP; BACP; UKCP)

The purpose of this post is to add to the provision of evidence-based therapies for children and young people who have been sexually abused and/or assaulted, either recently or historically. This requires the ability to assess for post-traumatic stress disorder and discuss the implications of this and the NICE guidelines recommended treatment for PTSD (including following sexual trauma) with children, young people and their carers in conjunction with the childrens therapeutic service Lead Therapist. The post holder will be able to implement evidence-based therapeutic interventions for children and young people including trauma-focussed CBT supported by the Service Lead

The post holder will carry a clinical caseload and provide psychological therapies / counselling to meet client needs taking into account the resources available within the service.

The post holder will need experience in providing time limited therapy for clients with a wide range of difficulties e.g. trauma and relationship issues.

The post holder will work closely with the Childrens Therapeutic Service Lead Therapist to prioritise, assess, plan evaluate and deliver all relevant aspects of highly complex care to an agreed and expected professional standard.

They will work closely with the multidisciplinary team

The post holder will receive regular professional management and clinical supervision in accordance with Trust policy and professional practice guidelines set out by their professional body. The post holder will engage in regular professional practice meetings with their professional lead.

The post holder will have clinical knowledge of complex psychotherapy and sexual trauma counselling and have will work with the Lead Therapist in the delivery of specialist counselling services delivered to children.

The post holder will attend departmental team meetings and work collaboratively with all relevant teams.

In criminal cases the post-holder may be required to give evidence in court.

**Key Working Relationships**

The post holder is required to deal effectively with staff of all levels throughout the Trust, the wider Healthcare community, external organisations and the public. This will include verbal, written and electronic media with:

- Lead Children’s Therapist
- SARC Clinical Leads
- SARC Management Team
- SARC Paediatric Clinical team which includes Paediatricians, Forensic Doctors and Specialist Nurse.
- Trust Safeguarding Leads
- Police and CPS
- Admin and Clerical staff
- Mental health services
- Voluntary sector
- GPs
- Acute hospital services
- Other agencies

To work as a small team of forensic physicians, Psychological Therapists/Counsellors, Crisis Workers, Support Workers and Health Care practitioners in the delivery of a high quality service.

**Key Key Result Areas/Principal Duties and Responsibilities**

**Communication and Relationship Skills**

To communicate in a highly skilled and highly sensitive manner with clients who may (will) be distressed and traumatised and where there may be barriers to understanding as a result of traumatic experiences.

To work as part of a team of medical, nursing, support workers and allied healthcare practitioners in the delivery of high standards of service.

To liaise with the multidisciplinary team in the provision of highly specialist psychological therapies / counselling services.

Requires high levels of empathy and reassurance in communication with all patients.

Seek advocacy for vulnerable groups.

Able to communicate with people with Special Needs, cultural and language difficulties and/or challenging behaviour and their families/carers.

Where necessary, referring onwards to external specialist services where appropriate. (ie CAMHS, Depression and Anxiety Services, Health Psychology, Third Sector agencies like Young Devon and Children’s society)

Ensure that patient confidentiality is maintained by self and others and that all patient details and information are dealt with sensitively and in accordance with statutory requirements.

Maintain clear and accurate records as per Trust policy.

Maintains links with other services and agencies.

**Analytical and Judgement Skills**

In conjunction with the Lead Therapist, provide comprehensive assessment of psychological therapies/counselling for children and young people. The ability to undertake complex ne