At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to provide trauma-informed mental health support for vulnerable children.
- Company: Hackney Council, committed to anti-racist and inclusive practices.
- Benefits: Supportive environment, professional growth, and excellent local authority benefits.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; we value diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while championing cultural change.
- Qualifications: Expertise in mental health, clinical supervision, and commitment to anti-oppressive practices.
The predicted salary is between 37035 - 45265 £ per year.
Hackney is seeking an expert practitioner and dynamic leader to step into the role of Highly Specialist Therapist within our newly redesigned in-house Mental Health Service.
Holding a pivotal clinical leadership post, you will navigate the complex intersection of Children's Social Care and Mental Health services to ensure Hackney's most vulnerable children receive timely, trauma-informed, and evidence-based psychological support.
In this role, you will provide high-level clinical support, formulation, governance, and supervision to a dedicated team of clinicians (including Specialist Therapists, YJS practitioners, and trainees).
Beyond direct clinical delivery, you will act as a strategic bridge-delivering "expert-to-expert" consultation to Social Work Managers, navigating complex CAMHS and AMHS pathways, and designing workforce wellbeing frameworks to support staff resilience.
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 Highly Specialist Therapist, you will act as a key champion in driving this cultural change and clinical excellence across the Directorate.
Clinical Leadership
Hold a clinical caseload of children presenting with highly complex needs including looked after children, care leavers and young people within the youth justice system.
Oversee service referral pathways, clinical flow, and deliver advanced formulations that directly support social work decision-making.
- Specialist Supervision & Governance: Provide formal clinical supervision and professional governance to Specialist Therapists and clinicians across Youth Justice, Edge of Care, and Children's Homes teams.
- Strategic Liaison & CAMHS Interface: Lead the CAMHS Liaison function, acting as the primary clinical interface with NHS statutory health providers to manage complex care pathways and ensure no child falls between the gaps.
- Systemic Consultation & Reflective
Spaces: Deliver specialist consultation to social work managers to help stabilise high-risk placements.
Design and facilitate reflective practice groups using a vicarious trauma lens following critical or near-critical incidents.
- Anti-Racist
- Practice
Champion: Drive the delivery of STAR methodologies in all aspects of clinical practice, ensuring models are culturally sensitive and actively challenge systemic inequalities.
We are looking for an expert, registered clinician (e. g., UKCP, HCPC, AFT, ACP, or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience in specialist mental health settings.
You will bring
- Post-graduate clinical qualification and a recognised qualification/training in Clinical Supervision.
- Expertise in working autonomously with complex trauma, attachment issues, and high-stakes clinical risk (e. g., self-harm, safeguarding, CSA, or Harmful Sexual Behaviour).
- Proven experience in providing formal clinical supervision and leading workforce reflective spaces.
- Strong collaborative skills to navigate agency boundaries, liaise with statutory health services, and advocate for children in care.
- A profound, demonstrable commitment to anti-racist, systemic, and anti-oppressive ways of working.
An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role.
In return for your expertise and dedication, Hackney offers a supportive, collaborative environment committed to your professional growth.
We provide robust systemic support, including external clinical supervision for different therapeutic modalities as required, alongside excellent local authority benefits.
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 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 behavior.
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.
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Highly Specialist Therapist employer: London Borough of Hackney
Hackney Education is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment for its staff. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees are encouraged to grow and thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in Hackney. The collaborative culture and focus on diversity ensure that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to the borough's vision of excellence in education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Highly Specialist Therapist
✨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 London Borough of Hackney. 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 London Borough of Hackney.
We think you need these skills to ace Highly Specialist Therapist
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 London Borough of Hackney:Take some time to research London Borough of Hackney 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 London Borough of Hackney
✨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 London Borough of Hackney's values and approach.
