Compass Community is a leading therapeutic provider and we pride ourselves on our Inclusivity and Trauma-Informed approaches. We support over 2,000 children and young people through Fostering, Residential Homes, Family Assessment Centres and Education. Our ethos that being therapeutic is our baseline, not an add on ensures we continue to support the development of the social, emotional, cognitive and sensorial needs of all our young people.
Therapeutic Services at Compass has an embedded record of successful evidence of our Assessing and Healing Complex Trauma (AHCT) approach which has already made a difference to the lives of hundreds of young people.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Therapeutic Practitioner, whose professional background and training are underpinned by theories of working with trauma, attachment and loss. You will have a good working knowledge of supporting children and young people in the care sector.
You will ideally be based in or around Yeovil.
About the role
Asa Therapeutic Practitioner, you will be working collaboratively between Therapeutic Services and Fostering; your role will predominantly besupporting and guiding foster carers in therapeutic parenting.
You will be a key participant in the assessing and healing components for helping traumatised young people.
As the Therapeutic Practitioner you will be part of the multi-disciplinary Therapeutic Service and will work directly with the Fostering Service.
The successful applicant will receive specialist training in understanding PACE and therapeutic parenting which will all inform your work with foster carers. We have several fostering regions across the country where we are seeking to develop the therapeutic approach; You will have the opportunity to discuss and reflect on your work with your colleagues in other regions, helping to develop and maintain the therapeutic ethos between them all. This may involve very occasional flexible working hours.
You will be training staff and foster carers in therapeutic ideologies, developing therapeutic understanding and facilitating therapeutic reflective groups with carers and also a group with Supervising Social Workers.
You will help the effective functioning of the Social and Emotional Welfare (SEW) Assessment on all our young people and guide all staff in professional therapeutic development and have an excellent understand the presentations of complex trauma.
You will enable staff and carers to recognise the destructive elements that trauma plays on child development, promoting a philosophy of therapeutic understanding from within our children’s services.
You will support the organisation in ensuring that the service is run in line with the Government Legislation, Regulations and Standards, together with the Inspecting Body. You will represent Compass Fostering Vision and Values and maintain a commitment to anti-discriminatory ideology.
Why work for Compass Therapeutic Services?
- Training - Ongoing free training and therapeutic workshops which account for high levels of CPD hours. We also provide DDP training and the opportunity to apply for funding for additional training. This will be decided through an application process.
- Career Progression - As Therapeutic Services is continuing to expand there are strong career pathways both within our team and within the wider Compass organisation.
- Individual & Peer group supervision - therapeutic & clinical supporting your CPD growth.
- Wellbeing – Access to confidential therapeutic wellbeing sessions within our Therapeutic Services team.
- Engagement conferences - Two per year with the national Therapeutic Services team to continue to develop your theoretical knowledge and sense of belonging. Accommodation & DBB provided.
- Awards – The chance to win up to £150 in vouchers every month from our company REACH Awards and monthly vouchers within Therapeutic Services.
- Medicash - Receive cashback for various medical and wellbeing appointments and treatments with our MediCash scheme.
- Annual leave - An additional 2.5 days each year for your birthday, a health and wellbeing day and a half-day festive shopping day.
- Bonuses - Receive £200 (2 years), £400 (5 years) and £600 (10 years) service awards, plus up to £500 special recognition award for outstanding practice.
- Recommendation scheme - Earn up to £3,250 by recommending a foster carer or up to £1,000 by recommending a full-time staff member.
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Essential Criteria:
- Minimum two years' hands-on experience working with children in the Child in Care Sector.
- Proven track record of effective collaboration with various stakeholders involved in children's lives.
- Robust understanding of the presentations of Complex and Developmental Trauma.
- Evidence of Therapeutic Training/Qualifications, even those actively underway will be considered.
- Proven ability to provide and enhance understanding of therapeutic theoretical concepts.
- Confident and resilient.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with fluent English proficiency.
- Evidence of literary ability to Level 5/A level standard.
- Ability to travel away for work 4 times per year.
- Active, energetic, creative, outgoing, and empathic character.
- Commitment to anti-discriminatory ideology.
- Understanding of responsibilities in protecting one's health, safety, and wellbeing, as well as that of colleagues and others.
- Possession of a full driving license.
Desirable:
- An understanding of PACE and Therapeutic Parenting
- Excellent organisation and report writing skills.
- Possession of a Level 5 in Management or Equivalent
- Experience working in Fostering or Residential settings with children.
- Experience in group work.
- Experience in assessment and intervention.
Compass is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As we continue to grow, we know that we must have the most talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our children and young people.
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