Senior Therapeutic Practitioner

Job overview

We are looking for a number of individuals to join our team. 

The post holder will be expected to provide highly specialist psychology service to the CYPGS, including specialist assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes. 

Applicants must be qualified in core profession as per BABCP criteria (BABCP | British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies > Accreditation > Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist Accreditation > Core Professions > Core Professions list and criteria) and additional, accredited training in a specific therapeutic modality OR recognised degree level broad based health & social care qualification which will require completion of BABCP Knowledge Skills and Attributes Guidelines as part of the application process. Applicants must also have training in a relevant therapeutic modality to an accreditable level with registration, and a post qualification study in a mental health field. Current registration with an appropriate regulatory body is essential, as well as additional training in a specialised area of psychological practise relevant to working with CYP with gender diversity.

Main duties of the job

Practitioner Health and Educational Psychologists will also be considered for this role if they are able to demonstrate significant experience within a CYP mental health setting and document the equivalent level of training in an appropriate therapeutic model, either as a core part of training, additional qualification or substantial number of short courses.

• To provide highly specialist psychological/mental health assessments, formulations and interventions for clients in the CYP Gender Service – London with clients of the CYP Gender Service – London presenting with medium to high level complexity at levels utilising high level therapeutic skills
• To provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required.
• To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.
• To act as key worker, initiating, planning and reviewing care plans, liaising with local services when required.
• To contribute to the effective working of the team or service and to a psychologically informed framework for the service.
• To contribute to the team or service’s delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities.
• To be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent services.
• To advise other members of the service on specialist psychological care of clients.

Working for our organisation

Following the recommendations of The Cass Review Interim Report, two new nationally networked services led by specialist children’s tertiary care providers are being established. The Southern Hub, based in London, is delivered by a partnership of Evelina London Children’s Hospital (part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust), Great Ormond Street Hospital and the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

The Northern Hub is delivered by a partnership of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust). This role is based in the Southern Hub.

We are committed to promoting an environment that embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. We would like all our families and staff to feel valued and respected because we try to understand and provide for their individual needs.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.

Person specificationAcademic/Professional qualification/TrainingEssential criteria

• Qualified in core profession as per BABCP criteria BABCP | British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies > Accreditation > Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist Accreditation > Core Professions > Core Professions list and criteria
• Recognised degree level broad based health & social care qualification which will require completion of The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) Knowledge Skills and Attributes KSA Guidelines ( as part of the application process
• Training in a relevant therapeutic modality to an accreditable level with registration (where registration is applicable)
• Post qualification study in a mental health field.
• Additional training in a specialised area of psychological practice relevant to working with CYP with gender diversity through formal post - qualification training (PG Diploma or equivalent), OR a combination of specialist short courses, or an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice –based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice, assessed by an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma
• Completed training course in clinical supervision
• Current registration with appropriate regulatory body ( HCPC, NMC, BABCP, UKCP, MBACPaccred).

Experience/KnowledgeEssential criteria

• Evidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in an area of clinical practice relevant to CYP with gender diversity
• Experience of specialist psychological/mental health assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature in an area of clinical practice relevant to CYP with gender diversity
• Experience of supervising junior and trainee therapeutic practitioners
• Post -qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities
• Experience of carrying out post qualification research, audit or service evaluation projects.
• Advanced knowledge of psychological assessment and clinical psychometrics including screening for common neurodevelopmental disorders
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological/mental health assessments and interventions for CYP with gender diversity
• Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment of common mental health difficulties experienced by CYP with gender diversity
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities.
• Postgraduate knowledge of psychological research methodology and complex statistical analysis.
• Knowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care.
• Doctoral level knowledge of psychological research methodology and complex statistical analysis.

Desirable criteria

• The Trust encourages and welcomes applications from people with lived experience of mental health challenges. We see this as valuable and recognise the positive impact this experience can have on the work we do.

Skills/AbilitiesEssential criteria

• To deliver psychological therapy across cultural and other differences.
• To select and administer specialist psychological/mental health assessments, interpreting and integrating complex data that require analysis, interpretation and comparison, drawn from several sources.
• To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information.
• To plan and schedule assessment and interventions for individual clients and groups and carers, and for meetings such as CPAs and case reviews
• To plan allocation of tasks to junior and prequalified staff
• Well-developed IT skills including entry and analysis of research data.
• Skills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles.
• Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate
• Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic meetings
• Ability to maintain concentration and to remain in restricted positions for long periods during observations, assessments and psychological interventions, and to deal with unexpected interruptions or changes during these
• Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour.
• Ability to manage verbal aggression and hostility directed at self.

Culture and ValuesEssential criteria

• Knowledge and understanding of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Understanding of Diversity and Inclusion challenges in the workplace.
• Demonstrable contribution to advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

 

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