Children and Young Person Therapist

As Ofsted require us to refer to young people/youth as ‘children’, our official Job Title reflects that. However, as our young people are aged 10-18, the term ‘youth’ describes them more fittingly.

Since 2002, we have been “reaching out and changing lives”. Blue Mountain Homes is an established yet progressive company, operating Residential Children’s Homes and Independent Schools across the UK, expanding into areas of need.

The successful candidate will provide Counselling for Looked After Children, of age 10-17 as well as advice for the staff team working with said young people.

They will work as part of the Blue Mountain Homes Team, liaising with Managers and Children’s Residential Care Workers, respecting Blue Mountain Homes’ ethos and code of conduct.

The successful candidate will have the ability to work under pressure and quickly blend into teams and to establish positive relationships. They will also need to demonstrate a positive and proactive attitude. Furthermore the candidate must be organised and precise in the management of workload and committed to complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner. They will demonstrate an understanding of a range of issues, which affect young people’s wellbeing, including: Anxiety, Depression, Attachment Difficulties, Trauma, Self-Harming, ADHD and other complex psychological difficulties. They will be able to communicate with Young People, providing a flexible approach to Young People and their carers who may have difficulties engaging with services. They will have the ability to work actively with Young People, assisting them to explore their feelings and options, using a range of helping strategies.

Responsibilities

• To carry out the Initial Assessment Report of Young People placed with Blue Mountain Homes (Initial Overview of the placement; Identified Needs and Recommendations for the staff team)
• To conduct behavioural observations of Young People
• To carry out direct work with Young People, providing therapeutic support which is child focussed
• To demonstrate an understanding of Young People’s needs
• To develop and support therapeutic and behaviour management programmes to promote psychological wellbeing and social, emotional and behavioural development To ensure planned intervention is carried out
• To regularly review each young person’s progress
• To provide team consultation (meeting with staff to support them in understanding Young People’s behaviour and the impact of their early life experiences on their current presentation; helping staff in finding strategies to manage YP’s behaviour)
• To attend professional meetings
• To maintain appropriate levels of confidentiality and uphold professional relationships with professional colleagues
• To ensure Safeguarding Procedures are followed

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Appropriate attitude to vulnerable young people Strong listening skills
• Non-judgemental with a commitment to equal opportunities and respect of diversity
• Ability to work flexibly in a group
• The ability to work independently and to develop appropriate interventions and care pathways.
• The ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of supporting vulnerable young people and families/carers has or is working toward professionally accredited qualification.

Hours : 40 hours per week, flexible to work around young peoples timetable, education and activities.

Salary: £35,000 – £38,000 per year depending on experience