At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert clinical support to children and families facing complex challenges.
- Company: Join Hackney Children & Families Service, a dynamic multidisciplinary team.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Part-time locum role with hybrid working options and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: UK-recognised qualification in psychology or related field and experience with children.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Are you an experienced clinician passionate about driving meaningful change for children, young people and families? Hackney Children & Families Service is seeking a Specialist Clinical Practitioner to join our integrated, psychology-led multidisciplinary team on a locum, part-time basis.
About the Role
You will join the Hackney Children and Families Clinical Service (C&FCS), an established CAMHS-aligned service delivering evidence-based psychological support across Children’s Social Care, Young Hackney, the Youth Offending Team and Family Support Services. This role offers a rich balance of direct therapeutic work, clinical consultation, training, and system-level support—all within a service rooted in systemic practice, reflective culture, and a strong multi-agency ethos.
You will work with children and families facing a range of complex challenges including:
- Emotional and behavioural difficulties
- Abuse, neglect, developmental trauma
- Attachment and relationship difficulties
- Self-harm, risk behaviours, substance misuse
Clinical work is delivered flexibly—across homes, schools, placements, community settings and virtually.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver highly specialist assessments and evidence-based interventions.
- Formulate treatment plans using systemic, attachment-based and other therapeutic models.
- Provide expert consultation and guidance to social workers, youth workers, foster carers and multi-agency partners.
- Contribute high-quality clinical reports, including for court where required.
- Participate in multidisciplinary meetings, Child Protection Conferences and LAC Reviews.
- Facilitate or co-facilitate family therapy clinics, groups and training sessions.
- Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to service-wide evaluation and development.
What We’re Looking For
- UK-recognised qualification in Clinical/Forensic/Counselling Psychology, Systemic Psychotherapy, Child Psychotherapy, Occupational Therapy or equivalent.
- Advanced training in evidence-based therapies (e.g. CBT, Systemic Practice, EMDR, DDP, VIG, Mentalisation-Based Therapy).
- Experience delivering specialist assessments and therapeutic interventions with children & families.
- Strong ability to work with high-risk, complex cases in multidisciplinary environments.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to engage hard-to-reach families.
- Understanding of trauma, loss, contextual safeguarding and diverse community needs.
Desirable:
- Experience supervising trainees
- Experience facilitating groups or working in a family therapy clinic
- Systemic or supervisory training
Contract Details
- Locum position
- 21.6 hours per week (part-time)
- £42.03 per hour
- Based at Hackney Service Centre with hybrid/virtual working options
- Subject to an enhanced DBS check
Apply Now: Reach out to Jordan Peat, QSW/NQSW Talent Partner
Specialist Practitioner employer: Connect2Hackney
Hackney Children & Families Service is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the families they serve. With a focus on professional development, this role provides opportunities for clinical consultation, training, and system-level support within a multidisciplinary team, all while working flexibly across various community settings in vibrant Hackney. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families facing complex challenges, all while enjoying the benefits of a reflective practice environment and hybrid working options.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Connect with professionals in the field of clinical practice on LinkedIn or at local events. We can’t stress enough how valuable personal connections can be in landing that Specialist Practitioner role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to your experience with children and families. We recommend role-playing with a friend to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through real-life examples during interviews. We want to hear about your experiences with complex cases and how you’ve made a difference—this is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with children and families, especially in complex cases. We want to see how your skills align with the role of a Specialist Clinical Practitioner.
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for driving meaningful change shine through! Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles, particularly in therapeutic settings. We love to see that passion for helping others.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate clarity, as it helps us understand your fit for the role quickly.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Connect2Hackney
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key responsibilities and requirements listed in the job description. Familiarise yourself with evidence-based therapies and be ready to discuss your experience with complex cases. This shows you're not just interested, but also knowledgeable about what the role entails.
✨Showcase Your Passion
During the interview, let your passion for working with children and families shine through. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles. This will help the interviewers see that you’re genuinely committed to driving meaningful change.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about how you would handle specific situations involving children and families facing challenges. Think of a few scenarios in advance and outline your approach using systemic and attachment-based models. This will demonstrate your practical skills and thought process.
✨Engage with the Team Ethos
Since this role involves working within a multidisciplinary team, be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others. Highlight any past experiences where you’ve worked effectively in a team setting, especially in high-pressure environments. This will show that you can contribute positively to their integrated approach.
