Family & Systemic Psychotherapist

The Paediatric Mental Health Team provides integrated care to children, young people and their families at Whittington Hospital. In partnership with our paediatric colleagues, we offer assessment, treatment and consultation across the outpatient services, children's wards, neonatal unit and emergency department.

We are looking for an experienced Family and Systemic Psychotherapist to join our dedicated team for a year, covering a colleague's career break. The role will involve working closely with children, young people and their families who have both physical and mental health difficulties. Skills, experience and passion for working across a range of social and cultural contexts are essential.

Main duties of the job

• Assessment, treatment and consultation with children, young people, families and their networks presenting to Whittington Hospital with physical and mental health problems.

Job responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES

1. Clinical: Assess, formulate and devise treatment plans for referred children and families. Deliver interventions using a range of generic and systemic models, applied in the hospital setting. Work autonomously and independently in carrying out assessments and treatments in line with service practice, with support from the PMHT Lead Clinician and multi-disciplinary team. Hold and manage a caseload of children and families. Provide specialist mental health advice, guidance, and consultation to paediatric colleagues and other professionals/agencies. Assess and manage risk and safeguarding needs. Contribute to multidisciplinary and joint assessments and treatment, when appropriate. Provide reports and communicate in a skilled, sensitive and timely manner concerning the assessment, formulation, treatment plans and needs of children and families.
2. Teaching, training and supervision: Continue to develop skills in systemic psychotherapy through training and clinical supervision. Access regular continuing professional development and supervision. Supervise and manage others, where appropriate. Provide training, advice, and consultation as part of the paediatric multidisciplinary team. Participate in research, service evaluation and development. Undertake project management, e.g., audit or service evaluation. Utilize theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence-based practice.
3. General: Practice in a culturally competent manner, understanding equity, diversity and inclusion factors affecting access to mental health care. Ensure the development and maintenance of the highest personal standards of practice. Work flexibly and with initiative to meet the core aims of service delivery. Contribute to the development of best practice. Maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping. Maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies relevant to the service. Attend Community CAMHS meetings and participate in the monthly Family Therapy Discipline meetings.

To be noted: This is not an exhaustive list of tasks; the employee will be asked to undertake other ad hoc tasks relevant to the role. This job description reflects the present requirements of the role, and as duties and responsibilities change/develop, the job description will be reviewed.

Person Specification

• Masters level qualification in family and systemic psychotherapy accredited by UKCP.
• Additional, recognised therapeutic qualification mentorship/supervision training.
• Skills in delivering psychological therapy across cultural and other differences.
• Experience of working with children & young people with physical and mental health difficulties.
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary and multiagency context.
• Knowledge of research methods and data analysis in health care.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Senior Nurse & Paediatric Mental Health Manager

£51,883 to £58,544 a year per annum inclusive of HCAs.