Residential Therapeutic Practitioner

As a Therapeutic Practitioner you will work collaboratively between Therapeutic Services and Residential children’s homes; your role will predominantly support and guide staff teams in therapeutic practice.

Compass Community is an independent therapeutic agency caring, educating and supporting nearly 2,000 children and young people through Fostering, Residential Homes and Education. We pride ourselves on attending to the social, emotional, cognitive and sensorial needs of all our young people.

Therapeutic Services at Compass has an embedded record of successful evidence of our Assessing and Healing Complex Trauma (AHCT) approach which has already made a difference to the lives of hundreds of young people.

You will have good working knowledge in supporting children and young people in the Care sector. Your professional background and training are underpinned by theories of working with trauma, attachment and loss.

Working hours are 4 days 09:00‑17:00 and one shift of 12:00‑20:00 during the week.

About The Role

You will be a key participant in the Assessing and Healing components for helping traumatised young people. As the Therapeutic Practitioner you will be part of the multi‑disciplinary Therapeutic Service and will work directly with the Residential Service.

You will have the opportunity to discuss and reflect on your work with colleagues in other regions, helping to develop and maintain the therapeutic ethos between them all.

You will train staff in therapeutic ideologies, develop therapeutic understanding, and facilitate therapeutic reflective groups with carers and managers.

You will help with the effective functioning of the Social and Emotional Welfare (SEW) Assessment on all our young people and guide all staff in Professional Therapeutic development. You will have an excellent understanding of the presentations of Complex Trauma.

You will enable staff and carers to recognise the destructive elements that trauma plays on child development, promoting a philosophy of therapeutic understanding from within our Children’s services.

You will support the organisation in ensuring that the service is run in line with the Government Legislation, Regulations and Standards, together with the Inspecting Body. You will represent Compass Children’s Homes Vision and Values and maintain a commitment to anti‑discriminatory ideology.

Where applicable, you will be involved in developing the therapeutic community within the Community programme under the guidance of the Royal College of Psychiatry in London.

Benefits

• Training – Ongoing free training and therapeutic workshops which account for high levels of CPD hours. DDP training and the opportunity to apply for funding for additional training.
• Career Progression – As Therapeutic Services continues to expand there are strong career pathways within our team and the wider Compass organisation.
• Individual & Peer group supervision – therapeutic & clinical support for your CPD growth.
• Wellbeing – Access to confidential therapeutic wellbeing sessions within our Therapeutic Services team.
• Engagement conferences – Two per year with the national Therapeutic Services team to continue to develop your theoretical knowledge and sense of belonging. Accommodation & DBB provided.
• Awards – The chance to win up to £150 in vouchers every month from our company REACH Awards and monthly vouchers within Therapeutic Services.
• Medicash – Receive cash‑back for various medical and wellbeing appointments and treatments with our MediCash scheme.
• Annual leave – An additional 2.5 days each year for your birthday, a health and wellbeing day and a half‑day festive shopping day.
• Bonuses – Receive £200 (2 years), £400 (5 years) and £600 (10 years) service awards, plus up to £500 special recognition award for outstanding practice.
• Recommendation scheme – Earn up to £3,250 by recommending a foster carer or up to £1,000 by recommending a full‑time staff member.
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Essential Criteria

• Minimum two years’ hands‑on experience working with children in the Child in Care Sector.
• Proven track record of effective collaboration with various stakeholders involved in children’s lives.
• Robust understanding of the presentations of Complex and Developmental Trauma.
• Evidence of Therapeutic Training/Qualifications, including those actively underway.
• Proven ability to provide and enhance understanding of therapeutic theoretical concepts.
• Confident and resilient.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with fluent English proficiency.
• Evidence of literary ability to Level 5/A‑level standard.
• Ability to travel away for work 4 times per year.
• Active, energetic, creative, outgoing, and empathic character.
• Commitment to anti‑discriminatory ideology.
• Understanding of responsibilities in protecting one’s health, safety and wellbeing, as well as that of colleagues and others.
• Possession of a full driving license.
• Learning Disabilities experience.

Desirable

• Excellent organisation and report‑writing skills.
• Possession of a Level 5 in Management or equivalent.
• Experience working in Fostering or Residential settings with children.
• Experience in group work.
• Experience in assessment and intervention.

Compass is an equal‑opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We continue to grow and recognise the value of diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences to support our children and young people.