Independent Therapist

Contract Type: Self-Employed

Rate of Pay: Competitive Rates of Pay

Location: Across the Midlands

About Us

Set up in 1987 by a small but passionate group of foster parents, we became the UK's first independent foster care agency. That gives us the benefit of almost 40 years of fostering experience and we're still going strong! The founder members recognised that looked-after children - especially those who'd had very difficult starts in life - needed specialist support. So right from the beginning they put the child at the centre of their thinking and surrounded them with an integrated range of support services. In fact, that's what ISP means: Integrated Service Programme. Over time, this circle of support has increased to include a whole range of professionals that children and foster parents can tap into whenever they need to. This includes social workers, fostering advisors, teachers and therapists, who all work with our foster parents and the children they look after, helping them understand and manage even the most challenging situations. This is what's known as a 'therapeutic approach' to fostering and it's something that we pioneered.

ISP Bromsgrove is currently seeking qualified and experienced therapists on a self-employed basis who have experience of working with looked-after children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. You will be able to work independently, assessing, making recommendations and providing ongoing therapy or support for our foster parents. You will work as part of the professional network around each young person to ensure good communication and joined-up care. There may be an opportunity to contribute to other aspects of the organisation, e.g. training, support groups, consultation with other professionals and attendance at team and clinical meetings.

Requirements

• A professional qualification in a relevant field, e.g. child, adolescent or family therapy, creative arts therapy, psychotherapy, psychology or social work, or a counselling diploma
• Current registration or membership with a relevant professional or regulatory body, as applicable, e.g. UKCP, BACP, BPS or HCPC
• Previous therapeutic experience with parents/foster parents who are parenting, or will be parenting, children with emotional and behavioural difficulties
• Knowledge or awareness of fostering, attachment and trauma issues
• Experience of working sensitively with confidential material
• Excellent communication and report-writing skills
• Proficient in Microsoft applications, particularly Word
• Electronic record-keeping and database use

Responsibilities

• Clinical: Undertake assessment of children and young people for therapy as requested
• Provide one-to-one therapy sessions with children and young people as required following assessment. This is sometimes undertaken by another therapist
• Provide therapy consultations with foster parents
• Participate in local authority reviews where required and, as a minimum, provide a written therapy update in time for the local authority review.
• Attend professional meetings concerning individual children and young people as requested
• Ensure the appropriate integration of therapy with other fields of knowledge and expertise within ISP
• Participate in the delivery of training where requested
• Maintain a sound professional knowledge of current trends in therapy through updating skills and awareness with ongoing training
• Arrange and fund your own clinical supervision which meets the requirements of your professional body
• Adhere to an ethical framework for clinical practice as prescribed by your professional body
• Maintain and keep HR informed of relevant up-to-date safeguarding training, professional liability, indemnity insurance and other required professional documentation

• Administrative: Maintain records consistent with confidentiality and professional practice and in accordance with ISP procedures and relevant legislation. Session notes must be stored at ISP using Charms and other systems as required
• Attend Therapists' Meetings and other meetings or Away Days as required
• Maintain membership of a professional association and keep HR informed of your registration status

Working Relationships

• Liaise and communicate with the Coordinating Centre Therapist
• Attend regular individual case-management supervision with the Coordinating Centre Therapist
• Participate in supervision and meetings as part of the Contract Therapist Team
• Work within a multi-disciplinary team, attending meetings where appropriate and maintaining good communication with other professionals
• Meet with foster parents of the child or young person in therapy at least once a month and keep in touch regularly
• Liaise with the Registered Manager and Centre Manager

The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check, the cost of which will be met by ISP. ISP is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.