At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert therapeutic support to vulnerable children and families in a collaborative environment.
- Company: Hackney Council, committed to anti-racist and inclusive practices.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and supportive work culture.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career in mental health.
- Qualifications: Post-graduate qualification in a relevant field and experience in mental health settings.
The predicted salary is between 32427 - 39633 £ per year.
Hackney is seeking enthusiastic, committed, and skilled Therapists to join our newly redesigned in-house Mental Health Service within Children and Family Services. Working closely alongside Social Workers, Corporate Parenting, Youth Justice, Edge of Care, and Early Help teams, you will play a central role in ensuring our most vulnerable children receive timely, high-quality, and evidence-based psychological support.
In this role, you will hold autonomous clinical responsibility for a complex caseload and have the opportunity to contribute directly to our Family Therapy Clinic. Beyond direct therapeutic delivery, you will bring strong indirect therapy skills—delivering expert consultations to social care managers, facilitating reflective practice groups, and providing clinical formulations that directly shape statutory social work plans.
Our Practice Framework: The STAR Model
Hackney is on an ambitious journey to embed a Systemic, Trauma-informed, and Anti-Racist (STAR) practice model. We are deeply committed to anti-oppressive practice, actively centering the lived experiences of families and clinicians with marginalised identities. Our STAR framework ensures a sharp focus on ethnicity and race, while deeply attending to the intersections of sexuality, faith, neurodiversity, and other protected characteristics. As a Specialist Therapist, you will integrate this STAR framework into every assessment, formulation, and intervention to dismantle systemic inequalities and improve outcomes for children and families.
Key Responsibilities
- Autonomous Clinical Practice: Deliver regular, highly specialist therapeutic assessments, formulations, and multi-modal interventions (e.g., Systemic Family Therapy, Art Therapy, CBT, Psychotherapy) adapted for children in care, care leavers, or young people within the Youth Justice System.
- Safeguarding & Complex Caseloads: Hold accountability for managing clinical risk (including self-harm and suicidal ideation) integrated with social care safety plans.
- Specialist Consultation & Systemic Influence: Provide expert “strategic consultation” to Social Workers and managers to help formulate complex mental health needs, prevent placement breakdown, and translate psychological theory into actionable social work plans.
- Reflective Practice & Skills Sharing: Lead reflective practice groups for social care teams, act as a Trauma-Informed Champion, and deliver training and peer-mentoring across the Directorate.
- Multi-Agency & Court Representation: Interface with NHS statutory health providers to manage complex care pathways and ensure no child falls between the gaps. Participate in Child Protection Conferences, LAC Reviews, and MARAC/MAPPA, producing high-quality analytical clinical reports for social care networks and Family or Criminal Courts when required.
About You
We are looking for a registered, post-graduate qualified clinician (e.g., UKCP, AFT, HCPC, ACP, BPS, or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience in mental health or social care settings. You will bring:
- A post-graduate degree-level qualification in a relevant therapeutic discipline and current registration with a recognised professional body.
- Proven experience in exercising autonomous clinical responsibility for complex assessment, formulation, and treatment of children who have experienced developmental trauma, loss, or abuse.
- Advanced knowledge of systemic theory, attachment models, and trauma-informed care applied within a statutory social care framework.
- Demonstrated ability to provide expert consultation, facilitate reflective spaces, and contain organisational stress and anxiety for non-clinical colleagues.
- A profound, demonstrable commitment to anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and social justice-led practice.
An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role.
What We Offer
In return for your expertise and dedication, Hackney offers a supportive, collaborative environment committed to your ongoing professional growth. We value learning and development, providing regular professional supervision, whole-team reflective spaces and CPD days with external/internal experts, and opportunities to lead skills-sharing sessions in your specialist field.
As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation. We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CVs. We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.
Closing date for applications: 27 September 2026 (22:59) Interview date: Wc 12 October 2026
We are working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud. In order to achieve this, we are seeking individuals who embody our “PROUD” values: Purpose and Respect, where we foster belonging through active inclusion, kindness, and open dialogue; Ownership, where we champion proactive collaboration and accountability for our shared success; and Unity and Diversity, where we work as one Council to break down silos and champion anti-racist behaviour.
Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.
The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk
Specialist Therapist – Children and Families Service employer: Hackney Borough Council
Hackney Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its staff. With a strong commitment to the welfare of children and young people, employees benefit from professional growth opportunities, a culture of collaboration, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the community. The Council's PROUD values promote respect, ownership, and unity, ensuring that all staff feel valued and empowered in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Therapist – Children and Families Service
✨Connect Through Professional Networks
Join associations related to therapy and counselling, like the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). They often have job boards, events, and forums where you can meet potential employers and like-minded professionals. Being active in these spaces can give you a significant edge.
✨Show Up at Local Mental Health Events
Look for workshops, seminars, and conferences focused on mental health in your area. Not only can you learn valuable insights, but you can also network with professionals who might be aware of full-time opportunities, like the ones at Hackney Borough Council. Plus, showing your passion for the field in person can leave a lasting impression.
✨Utilise Online Platforms Tailored to Counselling
Websites like TherapyJobs or Indeed specifically cater to therapy professionals. Make sure to check these regularly for new listings, and consider setting up alerts to stay ahead of the game. Plus, applying directly through these platforms can sometimes give you better visibility.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you’re recently graduated or still in school, don't forget to tap into your university's career resources. They often have exclusive listings for full-time positions and can help you refine your interview skills. Plus, they might connect you with alumni who’re already working at places like Hackney Borough Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Therapist – Children and Families Service
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Qualifications:Make sure to showcase any relevant qualifications you've completed, such as a degree in psychology or counselling certifications. This is super important in the therapy and counselling field, so don’t skip over these details in your CV.
Showcase Your Empathy Skills:In your cover letter, it's essential to demonstrate your empathy and communication skills, which are key in therapy. Share specific examples from your previous experiences where you've effectively helped someone through a tough time—this will make your application stand out.
Demonstrate Your Continued Learning:We love seeing candidates who are committed to ongoing professional development. Mention any workshops, seminars, or additional training you’ve attended recently. This not only boosts your CV but shows your passion for the field.
Personalise Your Application for Hackney Borough Council:Take some time to research Hackney Borough Council and reflect this understanding in your application. Explain why you’re interested in working with them specifically and how your values align with their approach—this personal touch can make all the difference!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hackney Borough Council
✨Show Your Empathy and Communication Skills
In therapy and counselling, it's all about how well you connect with others. Be ready to share examples of how you've demonstrated empathy, active listening, and non-verbal communication in past experiences. Your ability to create rapport with clients is key, so let that shine through!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to face some scenario-based questions that assess your practical skills in dealing with clients. Think of various client situations or challenges you've encountered or could encounter. Practice how you would respond, ensuring you highlight your problem-solving abilities and therapeutic techniques.
✨Highlight Your Continuing Education
Being in a full-time role in therapy means you need to stay updated with the latest techniques and theories. Mention any professional development courses you've taken recently, or plans you have for ongoing education. This shows that you’re committed to growth in your field and eager to help your clients with the best approaches.
✨Finesse Your Personal Statement
In therapy, your personal statement is a chance to showcase who you are beyond your qualifications. Tailor it to not just highlight your credentials but also your passion for helping others. Share personal stories or insights that led you to this profession, reinforcing why you'd be a great fit for Hackney Borough Council's values and approach.
