At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide therapeutic support to a child with complex trauma and mentor residential staff.
- Company: Specialist therapeutic children's residential provider focused on transformative care.
- Benefits: Flexible part-time hours, ongoing professional development, and employee referral programme.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to creating safe, trusting relationships for children.
- Why this job: Make a genuine, long-term difference in a child's life while shaping therapeutic culture.
- Qualifications: Diploma or Degree in Counselling, with BACP or UKCP registration.
The predicted salary is between 24 - 24 £ per hour.
Location: Oldham, OL3
Hourly Rate: £18.00 - £24.00 per hour
Working Hours / Shift Pattern: Up to 20 hours per week (flexible to meet the needs of the service)
Employment Type: Permanent
Service: Ofsted Registered Children's Home
Service Users: Solo placement supporting a child with complex trauma, attachment needs and high levels of emotional and behavioural need
Qualifications Required:
- Diploma or Degree in Counselling, Psychotherapy or a related therapeutic discipline
- Current BACP or UKCP registration/accreditation (or equivalent recognised professional body)
- Ongoing clinical supervision and professional indemnity insurance
Experience Required:
- Experience providing therapeutic support to children and young people affected by trauma
- Experience working alongside children's residential services or looked‑after children
- Strong understanding of attachment theory, developmental trauma and therapeutic parenting
- Experience working with Local Authorities, CAMHS and multi‑agency professionals
The Home:
This is a specialist, Ofsted Registered solo children's home supporting one young person with complex trauma and attachment needs. The home has been purposefully designed to provide a calm, nurturing and highly therapeutic environment where relationships are at the centre of care. Every aspect of the service is delivered through a trauma‑informed framework, helping children build trust, develop emotional regulation and achieve long‑term positive outcomes. The home's therapeutic model is centred around Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) and the PACE approach (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy), ensuring children are supported through understanding rather than punishment.
Who We Are Looking For:
Our client is looking for an experienced Therapeutic Lead who wants to play a pivotal role in transforming the lives of children who have experienced significant trauma, abuse, neglect and disrupted attachment. This is not a traditional counselling position. Whilst direct therapeutic work with the child is an important part of the role, your greatest impact will be supporting and developing the adults around them. You will help residential staff understand the meaning behind behaviours, embed therapeutic parenting strategies and create an environment where every interaction promotes healing. You will be someone who enjoys coaching others, influencing practice and helping teams grow in confidence whilst maintaining excellent clinical standards.
The Role:
Working as part of the home's leadership team, you will provide therapeutic leadership across the service, ensuring trauma‑informed practice is embedded into everyday care. Your responsibilities will include:
- Delivering individual therapeutic sessions with the child.
- Completing clinical assessments, formulations and therapeutic care plans.
- Leading formulation and reflective practice meetings.
- Coaching and mentoring residential staff in DDP and PACE‑informed practice.
- Delivering training on attachment, developmental trauma and therapeutic parenting.
- Supporting the Registered Manager with therapeutic planning and behavioural strategies.
- Working collaboratively with Local Authorities, CAMHS, education providers and other professionals.
- Helping create a psychologically safe environment for both children and staff.
- Monitoring therapeutic progress and adapting interventions where required.
Who You Will Be Working For:
Our client is a specialist therapeutic children's residential provider committed to delivering outstanding outcomes for children with complex needs. Rather than simply managing behaviour, they believe lasting change comes through safe, trusting relationships, emotional security and therapeutic care. Their homes are intentionally small, allowing every child to receive highly individualised support from a consistent and skilled team.
Why Join This Service?
- Opportunity to shape the therapeutic culture of a specialist solo home.
- Work alongside an experienced residential leadership team.
- Make a genuine, long‑term difference to one child's life.
- Flexible part‑time hours to fit around other professional commitments.
- High levels of autonomy and professional respect.
Benefits:
- Ongoing professional development
- Opportunities to deliver training and influence practice across the service
- Employee referral programme
Ethos:
The service is built around the belief that children recover through safe, trusting relationships. By embedding DDP, PACE and trauma‑informed practice into every aspect of daily care, the team creates an environment where children can feel safe, understood and supported to thrive.
Therapist - Children's Home in Oldham employer: Sgscare
Join a dedicated team at our specialist therapeutic children's home in Oldham, where you will have the unique opportunity to shape the therapeutic culture and make a lasting impact on a child's life. We offer flexible part-time hours, ongoing professional development, and a supportive work environment that values autonomy and collaboration. With a focus on trauma-informed care and strong relationships, we empower our staff to deliver exceptional support and foster meaningful growth for both children and their caregivers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Therapist - Children's Home in Oldham
✨Get Involved in Local Mental Health Initiatives
Join local mental health organisations and initiatives to immerse yourself in the community. Volunteering at workshops or support groups can not only boost your experience but also help you make valuable connections that might lead to part-time roles. It’s all about getting your name out there!
✨Attend Networking Events and Workshops
Keep an eye on workshops and networking events specifically for therapy and counselling professionals. These gatherings are prime opportunities to meet potential employers, hear about job openings, and engage in meaningful conversations with industry peers. Who knows who you might bump into!
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a professional online presence highlighting your counselling approach and experiences. Consider starting a blog or sharing insights on social media about therapy methods. This can attract attention from local companies like Sgscare who are looking for someone like you for their part-time needs.
✨Directly Approach Local Clinics
Don't be shy about reaching out directly to clinics or counselling practices in your area. Many part-time roles are filled without ever being advertised. A friendly email introducing yourself and expressing interest in potential opportunities at Sgscare can sometimes lead to the job you’ve been dreaming of!
We think you need these skills to ace Therapist - Children's Home in Oldham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Compassionate Side:In the therapy and counselling professions, it's crucial to convey your empathy and understanding in your application. Your CV should highlight any relevant volunteer work or experience in helping roles. Let’s face it, potential employers want to see that you can connect with clients, so showcase those soft skills front and centre!
Include Your Credentials:For a part-time role in therapy or counselling, it’s essential to demonstrate your qualifications. Make sure to include any degrees, certifications, or workshops that are relevant to the position. If you’ve completed specific training in mental health or counselling techniques, don’t skip those; they can set you apart from others.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Your cover letter is the perfect place to express your interest in working part-time and highlight your passion for helping others. Talk about why you’re drawn to Sgscare and how the part-time role fits into your career path. We're looking for a genuine connection, so let your personality shine through!
Availability Matters:Since this is a part-time role, clearly outline your availability in your application. Be honest about the hours you can commit, and consider mentioning if you have any flexibility. This helps Sgscare see how you can fit into their schedule and be a valuable addition to the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sgscare
✨Know Your Theoretical Frameworks
It's crucial for us to brush up on the therapy techniques and theoretical frameworks relevant to this field. Be prepared to discuss how you apply them in practice—think about specific case studies from your training that highlight your approach. This not only shows your understanding but also helps you connect with your potential clients at Sgscare.
✨Practice Your Active Listening Skills
Since we're diving into therapy and counselling, active listening is our bread and butter. You might face role-play scenarios during the interview, so make sure to showcase your ability to listen and respond empathetically. Demonstrating this skill can make all the difference in how we're perceived as future therapists.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility With Clients
In a part-time role, we often deal with a diverse client base, so it’s important to showcase our adaptability. Be ready to discuss how you can tailor your therapeutic approach to fit different client needs. Sharing any past experiences—whether from internships or coursework—will provide great insights to Sgscare about your versatility.
✨Prepare Your Questions on Working with Diverse Populations
Part-time roles can sometimes mean working with a variety of clients from different backgrounds. Think of specific questions to ask about how Sgscare supports inclusivity and handles diverse cases. This not only highlights your interest but also shows that you’ve thought ahead about client dynamics and your role within them.
