20th October 2020

To: Applicants for the post of Children and Young Peoples Therapist – Fixed term to 31st

May 2021.

Dear Potential Candidate,

Thank you for your request for an application pack and further details of the above post with Beyond the Horizon Charity.

Please find enclosed information about the role.

Please be advised that this role is fixed term and will end on 31st May 2021.

Applications will not be acknowledged but, if you are to be called for interview, you will be notified shortly after the closing date. We will not be able to provide feedback on applications from candidates who are not shortlisted.

The closing date for this post is 12 noon on Friday 6th November.

If emailing completed applications, please send to jgraham@beyondthehorizon.org.ukPlease note that CVs in isolation are not accepted

Yours faithfully,

Jenny GrahamCEO, Beyond the Horizon Charity

JOB CONTEXT FOR THE POST OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLES THERAPIST

Beyond the Horizon Charity

Beyond the Horizon Charity (BTHC) has stood the test of time; after over ten years as a project under the umbrella of the national charity, Spurgeons, we became an independent charity in February 2014. We have served Birmingham children in need for 17 years and we have the energy and passion to continue to do so at a time when resources are few and the demand for mental health services for the young are so high.

Beyond the Horizon Charity provides support to children and young people (aged 4-18) in Birmingham who have experienced loss and trauma through either significant bereavement, parental relationship breakdown and domestic abuse.

We offer support through: Counselling Play Therapy Filial Coaching (Play Therapy with the child and their parent/care giver together) Child Parent Relationship Therapy Art Therapy Family Sessions following bereavement (The BEAR project) Group Programmes for children affected by domestic abuse Bereavement Groups for children Crisis support, advice and training to schools and other professionals

BTHC is unique locally in that our therapists travel to the communities where children and young people are based, seeing them within a mile of their own home. This means the service is accessible to all regardless of financial position or ethnic and family background and situated locally. COVID 19 has meant that we have had to be flexible and adapt what we do so that we can continue to reach out to as many children as possible and some of work is now being delivered online.

Children referred to us are commonly described as emotionally isolated and often suffering from trauma, mental health difficulties, self-hatred, self-harm, suicidal ideation or low confidence and self-esteem. We offer therapeutic services free of charge to families and as a person-centred counselling service our work is led by the child, meaning that we can work with a young person for as long as they need us to.

Job Description and Person Specification

Post: Children & Young People TherapistFixed term to 31st May 2021, 30 hours per week.

NJC Scales SCP 20-24. Full Time Equivalent (37 hours) Salary £25,991 - £28,672 per annum (dependent on experience).

Main Purposes: To provide therapeutic support to families referred to the charity through the delivery of Counselling and/or Play Therapy.

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer.

Based in: Office based at BTHC premises in Billesley, Birmingham and outreach work across the city of Birmingham, via online video platforms and some home working is required.

Purpose of the Job: To contribute to the delivery of high quality services to children and

young people and their families consistent with the Charity’s vision, mission and objectives.

Principal Tasks: To offer therapeutic support to children, young people and their

families as their needs require (to include face to face and online therapy).

To work together as a team to share responsibility for tasks outside the role of a Counsellor/Play Therapist but essential to the meeting of the charity’s aims and objectives.

To undertake identified additional tasks e.g. evaluation, outcomes monitoring, telephone/admin work.

Assessment and Reporting To demonstrate a commitment to listening to the child/young person

and taking account of their needs and desires. To contact families and assess needs of them and their child/young

person.

To continually identify and assess the needs of children, young people and their families using BTHC assessment tools and ensure that plans made are implemented and reviewed regularly to formulate new arrangements in conjunction with service participants and other agencies.

To maintain and manage a complex caseload requiring a high level of professional Counselling skill including assessment, care management and other services in line with BTHC policies and procedures.

To ensure that all work is recorded promptly and accurately to the required standards and in line with BTHC policies and procedures.

Ethical conduct To respond to allegations of abuse or neglect of children in

accordance with BTHC and statutory policies and procedures. To demonstrate an understanding of issues of diversity and difference

and their impact on service participants. To operate at all times within the professional ethics and disciplines

as described within the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions (July 2018) and BTHC Standards.

To represent BTHC to the public, professionals and families in such a way as to ensure quality of service and information is consistent with policy and procedures.

Training and Support To contribute to your personal development and that of the Charity

through attendance and contribution to team meetings, training and other events.

To provide support and consultation to the other staff and volunteers including co-working as deemed appropriate by the CEO.

To be accountable for one’s own continuous professional development and to undertake training identified through supervision or during annual employee performance assessment [or equivalent].

To attend management and clinical supervision sessions.

Person SpecificationEducation and ExperienceEssential Desirable Experience of counselling Children

and Young People. A professional qualification in

Counselling or Play Therapy at Diploma Level or above.

Experience of working in partnership with other agencies supporting CYP and families.

Experience of work planning, problem-solving, time management and working to deadlines.

Demonstrates a detailed knowledge of current legislation in relation to CYP’s.

Demonstrates a clear understanding of current safeguarding guidance and legislation.

Ability to present case information clearly to range of audiences, including children and families professionals and courts.

Demonstrates extensive knowledge of child development, attachment theory and assessment frameworks.

Demonstrates a high degree of interpersonal skills both written and verbal.

Demonstrates well developed skills in assessing safeguarding risks.

Sound knowledge of diversity issues and anti-discriminatory practice and the impact oppression has on service participants.

Ability to work as part of a team. Enhanced DBS disclosure. Experience of supporting children

and young people via online video platforms e.g. Zoom, Whatsapp etc.

Knowledge of relevance in the broad health and social care arena particularly the children and families sector.

Evidence of continual learning/ professional development.

Demonstrates a sound knowledge of assessing the needs of CYP and their families at all levels using assessment frameworks such as: Dept of Health Assessment Framework, Goodmans SDQs, Childhood Bereavement [CBN] Assessment Tool and CORE Assessment.

Evidence of CPD including working remotely via online video with children and young people.

Personal Attributes/ CircumstancesEssential Desirable Commitment to the principle of Some outside nine-to-five office

equal opportunities and experience of implementing equal opportunities strategies.

Has a full driving licence and access to car.

Ability to work from home when needed.

Ability and willingness to travel from location to location.

Able to work with children and young people during school and after school hours.

Demonstrates commitment to clients and understands the importance of offering consistent appointments.

hours may be required with prior notice.

Confidence to challenge or clarify good professional practice.

Willingness to have other involvement with developing the work of the Charity.

GUIDE TO COMPLETING THE APPLICATION FORM

Please either type directly onto the form using Microsoft Word or print out and complete the form in black ink. If sending applications via email, please ensure the format is compatible with Microsoft Office.

Please complete the equality monitoring form and return with your application form. The equality monitoring form is separated from the application form immediately on receipt and will not influence your application.

Applicants are required to address the job description and person specification when providing information in support of their application. Applicants should therefore avoid the use of standard curriculum vitae documents not prepared specifically for the post in question.

If you are unsuccessful your application will be destroyed after one year.

Please return your completed Application Form and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to:

jgraham@beyondthehorizon.org.uk

Jenny Graham, Beyond the Horizon Charity, Holy Cross Centre, Beauchamp Road, Billesley, Birmingham, B13 0NS.