Compass Community is an independent therapeutic agency caring, educating and supporting nearly 2,000 children and young people through Fostering, Residential Homes and Education. We pride ourselves on attending to 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 is underpinned by theories of working with trauma, attachment and loss. You will have good working knowledge of supporting children and young people in the Care sector.
You will ideally be based in or around Hastings.
As a Therapeutic Practitioner, you will
- Work collaboratively between Therapeutic Services and our residential children’s homes.
- Predominantly support and guide staff teams in therapeutic practice, developing therapeutic understanding and facilitating therapeutic reflective groups with carers and managers.
- Be a key participant in the Assessing and Healing components for helping traumatised young people.
- 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 understanding of the presentations of complex trauma.
- Where applicable, be involved in developing the therapeutic community within the Community of Community programme under the guidance of the Royal College of Psychiatry in London.
Working hours are 4 days, 09:00-17:00 and one shift of 12:00-20:00 during the week.
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:
- 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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