Main purpose of Job

The Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme (CYP IAPT) is a service transformation programme delivered by Health Education England and partners that aims to improve existing children and young people’s mental health Services (CYP MHS) working in the community.

This is a training role within the Children and Young People’ Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme (CYP IAPT). The post-holder will work within a CYP, mental health service delivering, under supervision (until confident and competent to work alone), high-quality; brief outcome focused evidence-based interventions and guided self-help for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties. Training will be based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy principles.

The training and service experience will equip the post holder with the necessary knowledge, attitude and capabilities to operate effectively in an inclusive, value driven service.
The post holder will attend all university based taught and self-study days required by the education provider, as specified within the agreed national curriculum and work in the service for the remaining days of the week using their newly developed skills. The course is running from November 2020. The teaching days are Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Further details about the course can be found at
https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/masters/courses/low-intensity-psychological-interventions-for-children-and-young-people-pgcert

Key Responsibilities

Therapeutic skills
• Assess and deliver (under supervision), outcome focused, evidence-based interventions to children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties
• Working in partnership, support children, young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties and their families in the self-management of presenting difficulties
• Work in partnership with children, young people and families in the development of plans for the intervention and agreed outcomes
• Support and empower children, young people and families to make informed choices about the intervention
• Operate at all times from an inclusive values base, which recognises and respects diversity
• Accept referrals within agreed national and local protocols
• Undertake accurate assessment of risk to self and others
• Adhere to the service referral protocols. Under supervision signpost unsuitable referrals to the relevant service as necessary
• Through close case management and supervision, escalate cases where the level of need becomes beyond scope, or more severe ensuring adherence to other relevant elements of service delivery
• Provide a range of information and support for evidence based psychological treatments, primarily guided self-help. This work may be face-to-face, by telephone or via other media
• Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the overall number of children and young people contacts offered, and sessions carried out per week in order to improve timely access and minimise waiting times
• Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or CYP in treatment, where appropriate
• Keep coherent records of all activity in line with service protocols and use these records and outcome data to inform decision making. Complete all requirements relating to data collection
• Assess and integrate issues relating to transitions, education and training/employment into the overall therapeutic process
• Work within a collaborative approach involving a range of relevant others when indicated
• Work in collaboration with children, young people and communities to enhance and widen access

Training and Supervision
• Attend and fulfil all the requirements of the training element of the post including practical, academic and practice based assessments
• As well as attendance at the University for training, fulfil private study requirements to enhance learning and prepare assignments for examination, for at least one day a week
• Apply learning from the training programme to practice
• Receive practice tutoring from educational providers in relation to course work to meet the required standards
• Prepare and present case load information to supervisors within the service on an agreed and scheduled basis, in order to ensure safe practice and the governance obligations of the trainee, supervisor and service are delivered
• Respond to and implement supervision suggestions by supervisors in practice
• Engage in and respond to personal development supervision to improve competences and practice

Professional
• Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating bodies, and keep up-to-date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the relevant departments
• Ensure that confidentiality is protected at all times
• Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with supervisor and senior colleagues on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development
• Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives
• Keep all records up to date in relation to Continuous Professional Development and ensure personal development plans maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments
• Attend relevant conferences/workshops in line with identified professional objectives

General
• Support the collection of data and facilitate data flow to the collaborative
• Contribute to the development of best practice within the service
• Ensure a comprehensive understanding of the relevant safeguarding legislation, guidance and best practice
• Maintain up-to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to children and young people’s mental health
• It is the responsibility of all staff that they do not abuse their official position for personal gain, to seek advantage of further private business or other interests in the course of their official duties
• This Job Description does not provide an exhaustive list of duties and may be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder in light of service development

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