At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver psychotherapy sessions to children and young people, including consultations and case management.
- Company: Join the UK's first independent foster care agency with over 30 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible self-employed hours, provided therapy rooms, and access to professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a supportive, collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Open to trainees and qualified psychotherapists; insurance and supervision provided.
- Other info: Paid time for administrative tasks and opportunities for further training and development.
Location: Centres in Kent, Hampshire, Sussex (Battle, Burgess Hill, South London, Enfield), Chesham, Milton Keynes, Bromsgrove, and Wisbech
Contract Type: Self-employed
Salary:
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Trainee (0-100hrs): Placement opportunity (insurance and in-house group supervision provided)
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100-450hrs (working towards accreditation): £25 per hour (includes in-house group supervision)
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450hrs+ with UKCP or BACP accreditation: £55 per hour
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 over 30 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.
We are excited to be looking for new therapists to join our wonderful team on a self-employed- contract per case basis – delivering psychotherapy sessions to our children and young people across our centres in across our Kent, Hampshire, Sussex – Battle, Burgess Hill, South London, Enfield, and Chesham, Milton Keynes, Bromsgrove, Chesham, Wisbeach.
Cases allocated comprise of up to 8hrs a month per case during term time, to include weekly therapy sessions with child or young person referred, a monthly consultation with the carer, participation in case management and group supervision, and other meetings and administrative matters as required.
There will also be opportunities to contribute to training and service development projects.
We are a pluralistic trauma-informed service, aiming to offer therapies and therapeutic interventions that are as diverse and individual as our children, young people are carers are.
What We Offer
This is a rare opportunity to practise therapy in a setting where depth, continuity and collaboration are genuinely valued. Unlike much of the sector, we offer work that extends well beyond brief 6-8 session models – allowing you to build meaningful therapeutic relationships over time.
You won\’t be expected to provide your own space or materials – all therapy rooms and resources are provided on site.
You\’ll be part of the UK\’s longest-established therapeutic fostering agency, joining a well-established, supportive and skilled multidisciplinary team.
Our model is rooted in relational practice and therapeutic diversity – we welcome a range of modalities and perspectives.
You\’ll have the chance to work closely with therapeutically trained foster parents, contribute to training and development, and take part in case discussions that value the therapist\’s voice.
We provide access to specialists with experienced professionals in areas such as trauma, neurodiversity and safeguarding. These opportunities are designed to deepen your clinical thinking and support your work with complex presentations.
We also recognise your need for self and professional development – so we prioritise connection and community. There will be regular opportunities for peer supervision, online quarterly CPD sessions offered by and for our therapist group, and informal social gatherings to help us stay connected, reflective and well supported.
You\’ll also be invited to attend The Therapeutic Pathway Training – Assured by City & Guilds, our industry-leading training providing foster parents and ISP staff with the key skills and knowledge they need to provide extraordinary therapeutic foster care. These sessions are part of our commitment to being a reflective and learning-oriented organisation.
Recognising the hidden labour that often comes with freelance therapeutic work, we offer paid time to cover key administrative responsibilities – including report writing, clinical notes and necessary documentation.
We currently have vacancies for
- Postgraduate psychotherapy placement trainees (50-100hrs)
- Newly qualified psychotherapists (working towards accreditation and towards 450hrs)
There are also opportunities for those trainees studying for a MA/MSc in psychotherapy by research to conduct their studies alongside clinical work.
Different rates of pay apply depending on existing supervised clinical hours and accreditation status.
- 0-100hrs – placements for trainees in the second year of postgraduate training – insurance and in house group supervision will be provided
- 100-450hrs – accreditation pathway – £25ph & in house group supervision will be provided
- 450hrs+accreditation with UKCP or BACP – £55ph
Successful candidates will:
- Be responsible for carrying out core therapy activities with children and young people, and run one to one therapy both brief and long-term, contributing to assessments, foster care consultations and attend network meetings as required.
- Click apply now to view the full list on our careers site
Self Employed Therapist employer: Polaris
Contact Detail:
Polaris Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Self Employed Therapist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the therapeutic approaches that ISP values, such as pluralistic and trauma-informed practices. Understanding these will help you align your skills and experiences with their mission, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the fostering and therapeutic fields. Attend relevant workshops or seminars to meet people who may have insights into the role or even connections within ISP, which could give you an edge in the application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with diverse therapeutic modalities during any interviews. Highlight how your unique approach can contribute to the multidisciplinary team at ISP, showcasing your adaptability and commitment to collaborative care.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to demonstrate your understanding of the challenges faced by looked-after children. Showing empathy and insight into their needs will resonate well with ISP's mission and values, making you a compelling candidate for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Self Employed Therapist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of a Self Employed Therapist. Familiarise yourself with the therapeutic approaches mentioned in the job description and think about how your experience aligns with their needs.
Tailor Your CV: Craft your CV to highlight relevant experience in therapy, particularly with children and young people. Include any specific training or qualifications that relate to trauma-informed care or pluralistic therapy, as these are key aspects of the role.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for working with children and your understanding of the therapeutic approach they use. Share specific examples of your previous work that demonstrate your ability to build meaningful therapeutic relationships.
Highlight Professional Development: Mention any ongoing professional development or training you are engaged in, especially if it relates to the therapeutic modalities they value. This shows your commitment to growth and aligns with their emphasis on connection and community.
How to prepare for a job interview at Polaris
✨Understand the Therapeutic Approach
Familiarise yourself with the therapeutic approach that the agency employs. Be prepared to discuss how your own therapeutic style aligns with their pluralistic, trauma-informed model and how you can contribute to the integrated support services they offer.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Highlight any relevant experience you have working with children and young people, especially in challenging situations. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully built therapeutic relationships and managed complex cases.
✨Prepare Questions
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could include inquiries about the support provided for therapists, opportunities for professional development, or how the agency measures the success of its therapeutic interventions.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Emphasise your ability to work within a multidisciplinary team. Discuss past experiences where you collaborated with other professionals, such as social workers or educators, to provide comprehensive support for children and young people.