As a Family Practitioner you can make your own powerful contribution by undertaking meaningful and intensive work with families who are experiencing significant challenges – all while developing your skills in an innovative range of techniques
Taking on a manageable caseload of families (with children aged 10-18) who are experiencing significant difficulties and disadvantages, you will have the scope to transform multiple life outcomes. First and foremost, we want you to be able to support everyone who comes to our attention, so we will provide you with sector-leading training in a variety of approaches, including compassion focussed therapy (CFT), trauma-informed approaches, systemic family therapy, non-violent resistance (NVR), and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). With this knowledge – which will constantly be updated to meet the needs of the young people that you are working with – you will work collaboratively with families from a vast array of backgrounds. Building the relationships they need to keep children out of the care system, you will be focused on improving parenting skills, improving relationships at home, increasing school attendance and/or employment options, and reducing re-referrals to our social care colleagues.
The families we work with are often labelled as ‘hard to work with’ and are affected by challenges such as poor mental health and other safeguarding issues such as substance misuse and domestic violence – but with your support, they will have the chance to secure better futures for themselves and their families. One post will also take a leading role in working with young people using CBT training and funded activities on the “Your Choice” pilot programme, aimed to divert young people from youth violence.
Working collaboratively as part of a multi-agency network, you will connect with social work teams, CAMHS and schools as you assess the needs of each family and determine the best interventions for their individual needs. Seeing each family up to three times a week, you will work with them both in their own homes and in the community, delivering one-to-one sessions, parenting work, whole family therapy and group work. This will also include working with younger children in these families as needed. Across all that you do, you will maintain a close eye on safeguarding issues and you will manage risk, recording your work on the relevant database.
Please refer to the Job Description for more information.