The Role

Are you a mental health professional who has experience of delivering therapeutic interventions to children and families?

A role has arisen within our ‘Intensive Intervention Team’ (IIT), which sits within our Children and Families Division. The IIT works with children who are identified as being ‘on the edge of care’, children in need, and children who are looked after.

A key function of the role is to provide a range of therapeutic interventions to children, young people and their families, which are developed in collaboration with the networks supporting them. The nature of the work that might be offered includes individual, group and family work; consultation with Social Workers and other professionals in relation to child and adolescent mental health and; supporting with signposting, including liaising with colleagues in other Specialist CAMHS teams.

The work will take place in a number of locations across the borough, including primary and secondary schools, and is for 6 months in the first instance but is very likely to be extended beyond this.

If you are committed to making a difference for vulnerable children and families and want to work in a friendly flexible team we would love to hear from you.

You will have experience of working in social care, health, and/or education settings. An ability to work autonomously, engage with a cross-section of children, young people, parents/carers and professionals, and having confidence in making therapeutic decisions that will benefit children and young people are essential. In addition, familiarity with a variety of therapeutic interventions and psychological theories and frameworks to help make sense of children/young people’s experiences is vital. This might include expertise in areas such as play therapy, systemic ways of working, narrative therapy, cognitive behavioural approaches, mentalizing strategies, and/or video interactive guidance (VIG).

We encourage team members to bring their own skills, knowledge and experience to the work, as well as being open to learning and seeking help from other professionals within the team. In addition to therapeutic interventions, knowledge of issues in relation to safeguarding and care planning around identified risk factors will be a key part of the work.

In return, we can offer you working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance.  These include 36 hour working week (full time), working from home (depending on service needs) and a generous holiday allowance, 31 days plus bank holidays. 

In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts at many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities are also offered.

For further information about the PMHW post please contact:

Tara Midgen (Principal Educational Psychologist), Juliette Wait (Clinical Psychologist) on 020 8871 8744, or Charles Sackey (Senior Placement Support Worker), on 020 8871 7259

Richmond and Wandsworth are currently reviewing our pay, reward and benefits framework, in partnership with Trade Union colleagues. We are developing different options that make sure we have a fair and transparent system in place.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date:        Sunday 8^th September 2019

Shortlisting Date: Wednesday 11^th & Thursday 12^th September 2019

Interview Date:     Wednesday 18th & Thursday 19^th September 2019

Useful Information:

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

More detailed information about the posts and its requirements are contained in the Job Description and Person Specification accompanying this advertisement.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information:

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils