Senior Practitioner X2

**Full Time, Fixed Term for 12 months**
**Part Time 18.5 hours per week, Fixed Term Maternity cover**

Two exciting opportunities have arisen in The Bristol Therapeutic Support Service for the role of Senior Practitioner.

Bristol Therapeutic Support Service's overarching goal is promoting and achieving stability and strengthening relationships for children in foster care, children’s residential homes, returning to family and young people leaving care. The work of the team is varied involving providing therapeutic, emotional, educational, practical and parenting support to children and carers both on an individual, carer/ child and group basis.

There are 5 teams within BTSS:
The Staying Close Team support young people leaving children’s homes or supported accommodation as they transition into adulthood. The intention is to address the ‘cliff edge’ young people can often experience when reaching adulthood by providing intensive, holistic support prior and following transition.

The Short Term Stability Team seek to promote stability for young people in care in their homes (foster home or residential home) by providing short term (3 - 6 months) support.

The Intensive Support Children/Adolescent Teams seek to provide longer term support where there is high risk of instability for children and where children have had multiple home moves or significant difficulties in school.

The Family Network Team seeks to support stable transitions for children in care to return home to their parents, with supported reunification plans.

As a Senior Practitioner you will support the Practice Lead in developing the service and be involved in the day-to-day oversight of staff and activities of the team. You will also work closely with adults involved in supporting young people including offering therapeutic consultations and training.

This post will suit someone with a sound knowledge of attachment and the impact of developmental trauma and a background in therapeutic work. You will be a dynamic and creative individual who enjoys a challenge and works well in a team.

BTSS is an exciting and enjoyable place to work. We have a strong culture of learning and support and you will receive regular supervision, training and development opportunities.

**Why Bristol City Council?**

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high profile organisation.

Join us and you’ll receive a generous rewards package including flexible working and flexi-time, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

**How do I apply?**

**For permanent Bristol City Council employees, this post will be a secondment.**

**For employees who are currently on a fixed term contract with Bristol City Council, the secondment must not extend beyond the end of the fixed term period to ensure there is a substantive post to return to.**

**If you are currently a casual worker or a member of an employment agency (currently working with Bristol City Council) this post will be a fixed term contract.**

**We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.