Families First Mental Health Practitioner

Job Information

Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government. To find out more about us

We are responsible for the entire range of children’s education, health and social care services in all three boroughs. We use a Signs of Safety practice model and approach which ensures the voice of the child is at the heart of everything we do. There’s never been a better time to join AfC, we are growing our workforce, implementing new flexible working arrangements and have increased our virtual wellbeing offer.

The main purpose of this post is to provide one to one therapy to young people and families who are being supported within the Families First Team.

About the role

This post will be based in our Families First team which is an ‘invest to save’ project meaning success will be based upon the positive outcomes for the children and young people plus the monies saved by the children and young people staying within or returning to the family as opposed to requiring costly foster or residential placements. The Families First team supports children, young people and their families when there is an imminent risk of them being taken into care or the need to reunify children and young people back into their families from care.
- The role will provide mental health support to anyone within the family network whose mental health is affecting a childs or young person's ability to stay with the family network as opposed to entering care. The role will make every effort to ensure support is timely and personalised to the needs of young people and their families.
- The post will regularly work with colleagues in the Families First Team, Social Workers, professionals from schools, Police, commissioned services, health, third sector organisations and local communities. The role will also provide mental health advice and guidance to the wider Family Hub staff team.
- The role will be part of the Family Hub Management Team and will take on responsibilities on behalf of the Family Hub Service when required.

About you

We are looking for an innovative, positive, dedicated worker who will help us to transform the lives and futures of children & young people on the “Edge of Care”.

You will need to be passionate about working with Children, Young people and their families and have a reassuring presence, be calm in a crisis and able to work with families in their homes, helping them make the necessary changes to stay together. You will also need to be/have:

- Currently studying for a Postgraduate qualification (MSc or PGDip) in Counseling or Therapy
- Holds a recognised student membership of a relevant professional body (BABCP/BACP/ PTUK/ UKCP/NCS/BPS/HCPC)
- Ability to formulate and implement plans for therapeutic interventions with young people and families in line with research findings and evidence-based practice, across the full range of care settings
- Experience of working with children, young people and their families with suspected or diagnosed Autistic Spectrum Disorder and/or ADHD

About our benefits

We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:

- 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years.
- Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
- Stable and supportive leadership
- Hybrid and mobile working (between home and work) with latest technology to facilitate this
- Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
- Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- A range of staff benefits and discounts
- An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway

To find out about all of the breadth of benefits of working for Achieving for Children

Important Information

**Right to work**: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance.

**Safeguarding**: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).